At some point, it has happened to us all. You pop in a CD and it skips, right in the middle of your favorite song. Or your popcorn is all popped, and you get a DVD that reads "Error." A repair kit can easily solve these problems, but if you don't have one of these kits handy, there are plenty of home remedies that will work just as well.
Assess the damage
First, hold the disc up to some light. If any light shines through, the reflective surface which used to read the data has sustained irreversible damage. Once this happens, your CD or DVD cannot be repaired or restored.
You will likely see smudges and scratches. Most scratches, even deep ones, can be minimized to restore the surface. However, a scratch that circles the entire disc can severely impede the laser's ability to read the contents, and in some cases cannot be repaired either.
Quick fixes
Fingerprints or smudges may be your only problem. Clean the disc with a lint-free cloth. Wipe from the center of the disc outward (wiping in circles can actually damage the disc.) If persistent smudges are visible you can use rubbing alcohol or a mild, non-abrasive detergent to clean it. Be sure to dry the disc thoroughly before putting back in your player.
If your disc still won't play, the culprit is most likely a scratch. Several common household items can help restore your disc. Most of these work well for minor scratches.
Baking soda toothpaste works the best in most cases with mild to moderate scratching. You will want to use a paste, as a gel will leave a sticky residue behind, which makes matters worse. Apply a small dab to the scratched areas and wipe, again from the inner circle outward. Buff clean with a lint-free cloth. You can also use creamy peanut butter instead of toothpaste, but it will not work as well.
For heavy or deep scratches, try furniture polish or car wax, which will fill in the scratches to prevent skipping. Apply a small amount to the entire surface of the disc. Wipe polish in short strokes, starting from the center and going to the outer edge; then buff with a lint-free cloth.
Depending on the damage, you may have to repeat the process or use a combination of two, such as toothpaste followed by furniture polish.
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