How to Fix CDs That Are Scratched
By Matthew Battle
Updated September 22, 2017
Items you will need
Bottled or distilled water
Dishwashing liquid
Lint-free cloth
Toothpaste
Disc-burning software
Blank CD-R
When one of your CDs gets scratched, it is upsetting, especially if the CD is one of your favorites albums or has important information stored on it. Repair the scratches and get the fixed CD copied to your computer — a repaired CD is always a short-term solution — so that you can then burn other copies.
Making and Using Homemade Scratch-Remover Fluid
Buy a bottle of mineral water or distill tap water using a water filter.
Pour about 4 cups of water into a mixing bowl. Add one drop of dishwashing liquid to the mixture and stir thoroughly.
Dampen a clean, lint-free cloth with the liquid. Wipe the cloth over the scratches on your CD. Wipe in a linear motion from the center hole to the edge.
Using Toothpaste to Fix Scratches
Locate the scratches on your CD. Hold the readable part of your disc up to a light source to help you find the scratches.
Apply a small amount of toothpaste to a clean, lint-free cloth. Gently rub the paste into the scratches. Wipe the cloth over the scratches, in a linear motion, a few times. Apply more toothpaste if necessary.
Hold the readable part of the CD under some running warm water. Gently dry the CD with a clean, lint-free cloth.
Burning your Repaired CD
Open your CD-burning software by clicking on its icon. Insert the repaired CD into your computer.
Click on "Import" in your disc-burning software; your scratched CD should now import to your computer.
Create a burn list or new playlist, or something along these lines depending on the program you are using, and drag your imported CD file into it. Insert a blank CD-R into your computer and click on the "Burn" tab.
Tips
Because you cannot ensure that scratch fixing methods will fix your CD permanently, make sure you import your repaired CD onto your computer as soon as possible.
Warnings
Never wipe the readable side of your CD in a cyclical motion, this could damage your CD further.
References
Writer Bio
Matthew Battle started writing and editing in 2007. He has been published in Cadaverine and Pen Pusher, and holds a Bachelor of Arts in English literature from the University of East London.