CD & DVD Media Care

CD and DVD media is long-lived and reliable — if you treat it right. To protect your digital creations and computer data, you not only should select high-quality media for long-term storage, but you must treat your media right. Here are some guidelines to help you make your media last:

Handling & Cleaning

• Handle the disc only by the outer edge to keep fingerprints and smears from the surface.
• Never touch the unlabeled shiny side of a disc — that's the recording surface.
• Do not set a disc down on hard surfaces — you can easily scratch the recording surface.
• Use a soft, lint-free cloth for cleaning the disc to remove spots, dust, or fingerprints. Always wipe from the center to the outer edges and never wipe in a circular motion.
• Do not use abrasive or solvent cleaners, audio CD disc cleaners, or conventional vinyl record cleaning solutions on the disc. Chemical-based cleaners and cleaners that are safe for audio CDs might not be safe for CD-Rs, CD-RWs, or DVDs!

Storage

• Store discs in protective storage cases to avoid scratches.
• Store discs in a cool, dry place, away from direct light. Ideal storage temperature is between 23 degrees F - 86 degrees F.
• Do not leave the disc in direct sunlight or in a hot, humid environment — like your car on a summer day. These conditions can warp and damage the disc.
• Do not allow moisture to condense on the disc.

Labeling

• You can write on the inner diameter or designated label area of the CD or DVD. Use only soft-tipped, permanent ink pens, and write only on the designated areas! Water-soluble pens work best — their ink dries quickly and minimizes smearing. Ballpoint pens or other hard-point writing utensils may damage the disc.
• Be careful when using adhesive labels. Use only labels with high-quality adhesive designed not to corrode the reflective layer of the disc. Be sure to apply it properly. Labels applied off-center or with ripples can harm your CD or DVD player.