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Quick Reference Guide for the Care and Handling of Data Stored on CD or DVD Discs

We return your valuable data back to you on data discs (CD or DVDs) and having come across a couple of instances where discs have become corrupted over time, or scratched through day-to-day use, we wanted to provide some guidance for the care and handling of data discs.

Please, Do:

1. If you are going to use discs often, have a back-up copy in case the original is damaged.
2. Store back-up copy discs in a different location to the original.
3. Only handle discs by the outer edge or the centre hole.
4. Use a non solvent-based felt-tip permanent marker to mark the label side of the disc.
5. Keep dirt or other foreign matter from the disc.
6. Store discs upright (book style) in plastic cases specified for CDs and DVDs.
7. Return discs to storage cases immediately after use.
8. Leave discs in their packaging (or cases) to minimize the effects of environmental changes.
9. Store in a cool, dry, dark environment in which the air is clean.
10. Remove dirt, foreign material, fingerprints, smudges, and liquids by wiping with a clean cotton fabric in a straight line from the centre of the disc toward the outer edge.
11. Use CD/DVD cleaning detergent, isopropyl alcohol or methanol to remove stubborn dirt or material.

Please, Do not:

1. Touch the surface of the disc.
2. Bend the disc.
3. Use adhesive labels.
4. Store discs horizontally for a long time (years).
5. Expose discs to extreme heat or high humidity.
6. Expose discs to extreme rapid temperature or humidity changes.
7. Expose recordable discs to prolonged sunlight or other sources of UV light.
8. Write or mark in the data area of the disc (area where the laser "reads").
9. Clean in a circular direction around the disc.

General recommendation for long-term storage conditions

1. For archiving recordable discs, it is recommended to use discs that have a gold metal reflective layer.
2. Archival Storage Facility - Recommendation for storing CDs and DVDs together.
3. Temperature Less than 20°C (68°F) Greater than 4°C (39°F)
4. Relative Humidity (RH) 20% to 50% RH
5. A temperature of 18°C and 40% RH would be considered suitable for long-term storage.
6. A lower temperature and RH is recommended for extended-term storage.

A CD-ROM is a very fragile product, with a normal life of about 2-20 years. These guidelines should help extend the life of your discs.

These recommendations are for guidance only, for more specific information we suggest reading BS 4783-4:1988 from the British Standards Institute.