How to Fix CDs That Are Scratched

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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.