We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. While physical media isn't as popular as it once was, most people own at least a few discs, whether they're old music CDs they grew up loving ...

If you've got a CD or DVD that feels slimy or sticky, try this tip from technology blogger Amit Agarwal: If the DVD surface feels sticky or greasy, mix some baby shampoo in lukewarm water and use ...

It’s important to note that the methods outlined below will not work with Blu-rays. Those discs use a harder coating that’s more difficult to scratch and damage, which is good, but the downside to ...

Clean the disc: cotton, alcohol, and… toothpaste? Start by cleaning the disc with a soft cotton cloth dampened in alcohol or a window-cleaning solution. Be sure to wipe the disc gently from the center ...

Whether you use your laptop's optical drive or not, it's important to keep it clean so it's there for you when you need it. Here's an easy way to clean slot-loading CD and DVD drives (like the kind on ...