10 tips for safe keeping of CDs

When it comes to recording the information on devices and safekeeping of the same, of course people are using CDs, external hard disks and pen drives of which CDs are found to be quite convenient. The  pen drives are easily corrupted by virus attacks and they often get corrupted unlike CDs. Nowadays many information is available through CDs  and CDs are used for recording songs, academic writings, books, novels, drawings, photographs, films and much more.

There are simple ways by which the CDs can be preserved without getting damaged or corrupted and these techniques mostly depend upon the care and caution exercised by the user.

It can be well imagined about losing the important data stored on CD on account of carelessness. The CDs get corrupted on account of scratches, dust formation and many more.

In case, the individual understands the technique of handling and preserving the CDs properly and securely, CDs and DVDs are found to last for even up to 50 to 100 years.

While the music CDs and DVDs are estimated to have a shelf life for more than 50 years, in the case of CDs, it is found to be around 10 to 15 years. The following are some tips as to how CDs can be preserved properly and securely:

1.    At the time of handling the CDs, it should be ensured that the fingers do not touch the playable portion. All CDs have a small hole at the center exclusively for the purpose of handling smoothly and securely.

2.    As and when CDs are out of use, they should be kept in a jewel case or a thin paper cover or plastic folder so that the playable portion is not at all affected.

3.    Under no circumstances CDs should be exposed to sunlight. CDs should not be kept in a hot place and care should be taken that CDs are not affected by snow, water or moisture.

4.    No heavy objects should be placed over CDs at any point of time. The continued stress can definitely damage CDs.

5.    In case the jewel case, paper cover and plastic cover holding the CDs are found to be corrupted or damaged, CDs should be removed and they should be kept in a new one.

6.    The accidental fingerprints and minor scratches can be very well removed by using the following technique: CDs should be wiped out using a clean, dry and microfiber cloth smoothly and not roughly.

7.    In case of necessity, clean water can also be used for cleaning the CDs. Immediately after washing the CDs with distilled water, the moisture should be removed using a fine quality cloth. Under no circumstances, boiled water, chilled water, detergents, soap water or phenol should be utilized even though the surface of the CD is found to be corrupted.

8.    While wiping out the CD, the following simple techniques should be followed. The CD should be cleaned in a straight line format and not like cleaning a kitchen vessel. The wiping should commence from the center up to the edge moving outwards and not inwards or sideways. Under no circumstances circular motion wiping should be conducted on account of the facts, that the recordings on the disc can be spoiled and damaged due to such process.

9.    A proper CD cleaning kit can be procured for removing stubborn stains and dust.

    In order to fix the scratches, initially the fingerprints and dust available on the surface of the CD should be removed using a fine cloth. A small quantity of  toothpaste can be applied to the surface using a soft cloth and the CD should be gently rubbed along the length  of the scratch so that the scratch fades away. The procedure should be repeated till the scratch gets disappeared. Once the scratch is removed, using distilled water the CD should be cleaned thoroughly and using a fine quality cloth the moisture should be removed entirely.

No extra or technical expertise is required for safe keeping of CDs; however, adoption of a systematic and structured method is found to be sufficient at all times.