DVD Cleaning (1 Viewer)

[Matt.CB]

Could someone please recommend a product to hand clean a rental DVD before putting it into our DVD player.

Would Windex be OK?

Many Thanks!
Matt

 

[DaveF]

Very mild, soapy water and a soft, lint-free cotton cloth should work fine. (Not paper towels, if you're anal. Paper can scratch plastic.)

I'm uncertain about Windex. The ammonia in it may be harmful to the DVD plastic.

 

[Leo Kerr]

There's been mixed opinion here about the use of Windex. I'd recommend against it - the ammonia.

Generally, a very soft non-linting cloth (no lens tissue!) and just plain water should be able to remove the vast majority of the gunk that's removable.

If you absolutely need a more active solvent, if I remember properly, NIST recommends as a sort of last line of defense to be an alcohol based cleaner.

And, of course, wipe across the data track, not along it.

In a pinch, I've often used (a) a relatively clean cotton or cotton/poly shirt, and, as needed, (b) a bit of Universal Museum Solvent.

Leo Kerr

P.S. What do you mean, you don't know where to get UMS?! From a relatively clean mouth, spit on your hand, lick your finger, whatever, and use it!

 

[Matt.CB]

Thank You both!!!

Matt

 

[Ted Todorov]

FWIW Netflix recommends Windex (they avoid the brand name, but that's what they mean)

One would think that they wouldn't suggest something that will shorten the life of their merchandise.

Ted

 

[Adam Portrais]

For light scratches you should use Turtle Wax. Yep, Turtle Wax. I've seen it used in professional recording studios to "fix" CDs. Use just a little. Buff it on and buff it off (don't rush).

 

[Citizen87645]

Lucky me - the Windex I've been using is ammonia free.

 

[jim.vaccaro]

Simple Green. Highly diluted Simple Green (read the bottle for the window washing dilution, use it) works great and it's ammonia free. Also, use a good microfiber cloth like the type used to clean computer monitors and television screens.

 

[Mark Lucas]

A soft damp cloth. I wouldn't trust any gunk on the surface.

 

[Kevin M]

This has been discussed countless times here over the years, in fact the first three on the list below are from this year alone:
Any kind of solvent safe to use on DVDs?
DVD cleaner recommendation
CD/DVD Cleaning Devices
Cleaning DVD's

...the search function is you frieeeeend.