It’s always annoying to be in the middle of watching a movie when it starts to skip around or it stops playing because the disc isn’t readable. If this happens to you it is most likely caused by dirt and scratches on the DVD. Keeping your DVDs clean isn’t hard if you follow a few simple steps.

How you handle a DVD is important. You want to hold it by the edges or by the center hole. Don’t place finger tips directly on the disc because this will leave behind fingerprints, dirt that may be on your hands, and oils from your hands.

Always store your DVD in a case. Leaving your DVD out of the case makes it susceptible to scratches caused by dust and dirt. Avoid placing it in extreme temperatures like those caused by direct sunlight.

If you have a DVD that is dirty or has scratches you have several options for cleaning it. Using micro-fiber cloths is ideal because they are soft and can remain lint free if taken care of properly. You want a lint free cloth because the lint, even though invisible to the eye at times, can cause scratches. Wipe from the center of the disc out to the edge, not in a circular motion around the disc. Rubbing in a circular motion around the disc can cause damage to the disc. For extreme dirt you can use a mild soap and water or a little bit of alcohol.

To repair scratches you can buy a DVD repair kit that has a solution which coats and fills in scratches. You can polish the DVD to remove the scratch with a commercial solution or with a little bit of toothpaste. Handling your discs with care and cleaning them when needed will ensure they last.