While you probably prefer your media to be digitally distributed these days, chances are you still own several thousand dollars’ worth of DVDs, Blu-ray Discs, music CDs, video games and computer software on disc.
If so, you’re probably aware how easy these discs can become scratched or sticky underneath -- especially if you have young kids.
There is a right and wrong way to clean your discs.
To clean a DVD, use a soft, lint-free cloth. In other words, don't use a tissue or anything that could leave a residue. Then, hold the disc by inserting your index finger in the hole and supporting the disc with your thumb on the outer edge. Cleaning a DVD should always be done by wiping the disc from the center to the outer edge in a straight motion, and repeating the process in a clockwise or counter-clockwise fashion.
Discs should never be rubbed in a circular motion.
As for what fluid you clean a disc with, stick with rubbing alcohol or glass cleaner, while other experts say a mix of running alcohol and water (1 to 1 ratio) or warm water with a teeny drop of dish soap also does the trick.
On a related note, there are other clever products that can help protect your investment:
* Discgear systems can be a money- and space-saving solution that house up to 100 of your favorite discs. Load up your movies, games, CDs or DVD-ROMs inside the unit and put away the jewel cases for safe keeping. Then, to retrieve a disc, simply slide the tab over to a letter (such as "B" for "BioShock: Infinite"), press down, and a small arm will bring the disc to you. DiscGear units can help protect and organize your media collection. Some units have a slide-out tray that reveals the full list with the titles of the discs inside the unit.
Prices start at $50 for a 100-disc holder with retrieval system (or $12 for a 22-disc portable alternative).
* Another product to consider is d_skin, an inexpensive film that protects any standard size (4.7-inch) disc from scratches or smudges by simply snapping it onto the underside of a CD, DVD or Blu-ray Disc -- and you can even leave it on while it plays. In other words, d_skins are so thin that the disc is read right through the plastic film (and you can also use your computer to write to your recordable CD-R/RWs and DVD-R/RWs with this film snapped underneath it, too). A thin orange rim lines the sides of the disc, so you know which ones are protected.
d_skins retail for about $8.99 for a 5-pack or $19.99 for a 20-pack.
* A third way to protect your investment is to make a back-up of your discs onto a hard drive for personal use. Software like the free Handbrake -- for Windows, Macs and Linux -- is completely free to download and use, and offers the same quality (and most of the features) found in DVD ripping software that typically costs between $30 and $50.
Rip and convert DVDs or Blu-ray discs you pop in your computer's optical drive -- but be aware this software isn't meant to bypass encryption (copyright protection) on discs; removal of copy protection is not supported, therefore not all of your commercial DVDs will work.