The Proper Way to Clean a Video Game Disc

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Remove dust, fingerprints, and scratches from any game

Co-authored by Hunter Rising Reviewed by Claudia & Angelo Zimmermann

Last Updated: October 28, 2024 Fact Checked

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Cleaning a Disc with Water

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Alternative Cleaners

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Cleaning a Console Disc Drive

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How to Keep a Disc Clean

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Q&A

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Tips

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Warnings

If you want to play Xbox, PlayStation, or GameCube games but they’re smudged or scratched, it’s easy to clean the discs so they work properly. Luckily, you don’t need any special supplies for a basic cleaning, and you may already have common household products that work for a deeper clean. Keep reading, and we’ll walk through the different ways to clean and protect any game disc, plus how to clean your console’s disc drive.

Best Way to Clean a Disc

Wet a microfiber cloth with clean water, and wipe the disc from the center to the outer edge. Carefully dry the game disc with a clean lint-free towel before trying to play it. Avoid using household cleaners or abrasive cleaners that could damage the disc.

Section 1 of 4:

Cleaning a Game Disc with Water

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1
Wet a small area of a microfiber cloth. Use regular tap water to wet a small area of the cloth, and then squeeze it out to remove excess water.
- If you don’t have a microfiber cloth, an old cotton T-shirt or lint-free cloth will work in a pinch.
- Avoid using household cleaning products, like Windex or benzine cleaner, because they can ruin your disc.
2
Hold the game disc by its rim. Avoid placing your fingers on the surface of the disc so you don’t leave fingerprints. Turn the game disc over so the non-labeled, reflective side faces you.^{[1]
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- You can clean the labeled side of the disc as well, but be extremely careful because doing it too vigorously can destroy the data on some game discs.
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Wipe the disc surface outward from the center using the wet cloth. Start at the disc’s center hole and move the wet cloth in a short, straight line toward the rim. Reposition the cloth at the center and continue wiping until you clean the entire disc.^{[2]
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- Avoid moving the cloth in circles around the disc because you’re more likely to cause damage or leave behind scratches.
Use the dry portion of the cloth to remove moisture. Make the same straight, short strokes from the center of the disc toward the rim. Be extra gentle because you’re more likely to scratch the disc with a dry towel.
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Wait 2 minutes for the disc to dry before testing. Put the disc down with the reflective side face-up. Wait at least 2 minutes to allow the remaining moisture to completely evaporate before putting the disc into the disc drive of your game console or computer.
- If there are still problems, you may need to use a stronger cleaning method or clean your disc drive.

Section 2 of 4:

Alternative Ways to Clean a Game Disc

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Wipe the disc with rubbing alcohol to remove fingerprints. Any rubbing alcohol will work to clean your disc. Apply a dab of alcohol to a clean cloth or cotton ball, and rub the disc from the center to the rim. Carefully wipe off excess moisture with a dry cloth, and then let the disc sit for 2 minutes so it completely dries.^{[3]
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- Alternatively, make a solution that’s equal parts water and rubbing alcohol to help remove stubborn smudges.
2
Clean the disc with baby wipes for a gentle cleaner. Hold the disc by the rim so the reflective side is face-up. Take a wipe out from the package, and gently move it from the center of the disc toward the outer edge. Be sure to focus on any areas with visible smudges or marks.^{[4]
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- You may also use cleaning wipes specifically made for game discs and CDs.
3
Apply a commercial disc cleaning spray to keep your disc safe. Disc cleaning sprays are specifically made for removing smudges, and some of them even help repair minor scratches on the surface. The directions can vary between products, so follow the instructions on the packaging.
- Typically, all you have to do is apply the cleaning spray to a soft microfiber cloth and gently wipe the disc from the center toward the edge.
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Use plain white toothpaste to remove mild scratches. Toothpaste is slightly abrasive, so some gamers use it to polish off scratches without creating any more. Apply a dab of toothpaste to the corner of a cloth and gently rub it into the disc using straight motions from the center to the edge. Then, wipe the toothpaste off with a damp cloth and let it dry completely.^{[5]
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- Avoid using gel or powdered toothpaste because they aren’t as effective at cleaning.
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Try furniture polish to clean and get rid of scratches. Polish has a slightly stronger abrasive than toothpaste, so it can help get rid of surface scratches. Apply the polish to a corner of a microfiber cloth and gently rub it into the game disc. Use short and straight motions starting from the center and working toward the edge. Then, clean the polish off with a damp cloth.^{[6]
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- Steer clear of polish that contains petroleum because it could eat through your game disc.
- Avoid applying a lot of pressure while you’re cleaning because you could create new scratches.
Buff the disc with clear wax to fill in deep scratches. While clear wax doesn’t remove scratches, it helps fill in the space and could make your game disc work better. Choose a clear wax, like 100% carnauba, for your disc. Apply the wax with the corner of a microfiber towel, moving from the center toward the edge of the disc. After you apply the wax, use a dry cloth to buff the wax so it has a clear finish.
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Go to a game store or use a mail-in service to buff damaged discs. Many video game and video rental stores have buffing machines that remove a layer of scratches from the surface. Contact shops in your area to see if they have buffing machines. Alternatively, some stores outside your area may offer mail-in services to clean your game discs.
- Disc cleaning usually only costs a few dollars, but ask about prices before taking your games in.
- While you can get a disc buffing machine to use at home, they’re usually lower quality and not as effective as the ones that stores use.

Section 3 of 4:

How to Clean Your Game Console’s Disc Drive

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1
Blow out dust with an air bulb duster. Open the disc drive of your console if you’re able to. Then, point the nozzle of the duster at the drive, and squeeze the bulb to blow air. Keep squeezing the bulb until you don’t see any more dust lift up from the surface.
- While you may also use a can of compressed air, it’s more likely to cause damage to delicate drives.
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Insert a laser lens cleaner into the disc drive. Laser lens cleaners look like a game disc, but they have small brushes that clean the laser reader inside your console. Place the disc inside of the disc drive and leave it for a few minutes. As the disc rotates, the brush will break apart dust and gunk on the lens.^{[7]
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- Some laser lens cleaners come with a liquid cleaner to apply on the disc before inserting it. Follow the specific directions for the cleaner you purchase.
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Have your console professionally repaired. If other cleaners don’t work and your console doesn’t work with a new, unscratched disc, then it may need repairs. If your device is still under warranty, then you may be able to have it serviced for free from the manufacturer. Otherwise, look for a game repair service in your area that can clean the lens in the disc drive.
- Use the Xbox service site to send your console in and have it repaired.
- Contact Playstation support to browse through fixes and talk to support staff.

Section 4 of 4:

How to Keep a Disc Clean

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1
Put the game disc in its case when you aren’t using it. Rather than leaving your game discs out in the open when you’re done playing them, just place them back in their original cases. The case keeps the disc from getting scratched, smudged, or covered in dust.
- If you don’t have the original case for your game, then use a CD case with protective sleeves.
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Hold the disc by the rim whenever you handle it. Avoid touching the reflective side of the disc with your fingers so you don’t leave behind any smudges or fingerprints. Grip the disc’s rim in your fingertips and gently lift it out of the case or from your console’s disc drive.^{[8]
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- While you may be tempted to put your finger through the disc’s center hole to pick it up, it can easily tip or slip and leave smudges on the surface.
If you ever want to reposition your game console or computer to a different spot, check the disc drive to make sure there isn’t a game inside. Moving the console with disc in the drive could cause it to move around and get damaged.

Community Q&A

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Question

How do I keep my game disc working after cleaning it?

Community Answer

Don't leave the disc in the console. Put it away in its original case after its use.

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Can a disk be cleaned if it is very scratched up?

Community Answer

You can try to use toothpaste, but you will need a lot of it. It is not guaranteed to work for cleaning a disk that is severely scratched up.

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How can I get my game to work if it doesn't have any scratches?

Community Answer

If there is clearly nothing wrong with the disc, then it may have something to do with the console or system. Try other discs out on the same system, or the same disc on another system to help rule that out.

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Tips

These cleaning methods also work for CDs, DVDs, and Blu-Ray discs that are scratched or dirty.

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If you spill any liquids on your game disc, blot it up as soon as possible with a soft cloth. Be careful not to wipe or rub the liquid so you don’t scratch the disc.

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Some game discs have their data stored right below the label, so avoid scrubbing the labeled side of the disc unless it’s visibly dirty.

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