If your Xbox game disc isn't performing well, it might need to be cleaned. Spots, dirt, and scratches may prevent the laser from reading data from the disc. If you have everything you need, cleaning the disc shouldn't take you more than a couple of minutes. You can even fix minor scratches with household cleaners.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Removing stains and dirt
Step 1. Take isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol and dilute it in water in a 1 to 1 ratio
Isopropyl alcohol is a powerful cleaner that can be purchased at most household chemicals stores and is inexpensive.
If you don't have isopropyl alcohol, use a window cleaner, it will work as well
Step 2. Take the disc by the hole in the center and by the outer edges
Do not touch the surface of the disc.
Step 3. Take a microfiber cloth and dip it into the mixture
Microfiber is woven very tightly and is pleasant to the touch. It will remove dirt and dust without scratching the disc surface.
Do not dry the disc with tissue, paper, or cotton towels. All of these items can scratch the disc
Step 4. Wipe the disc from the center outward
Spin the disc and wipe again, moving from center to edge. Continue rotating the disc until it is completely wiped off.
It is not recommended to wipe the disc in a circular motion; instead, rub in a straight line from the middle to the edge of the disc. If you wipe the disc in a circular motion, you may scratch it
Step 5. Lay the disc face up for a few seconds to dry
Allow the disc to air dry, but do not expose it to direct sunlight. Isopropyl alcohol dries up in a few seconds. The window cleaner may take a little longer to complete.
Do not wipe the disc with a dry cloth, otherwise you risk scratching it
Method 2 of 2: Fix minor scratches
Step 1. Buy a non-whitening toothpaste
Since toothpastes are slightly abrasive, you can use them to polish light scratches on the surface of the disc. Most importantly, do not use whitening toothpaste, as they contain substances that can damage the disc.
The best choice is baking soda toothpaste. Don't use gel-based toothpastes
Step 2. Apply a drop of toothpaste to the disc
You don't need a lot of toothpaste, just apply a drop the size of a pea or even less.
Step 3. Add some water
A couple of drops should be enough to dilute the toothpaste a little and not make it too runny.
Step 4. Use your finger or a microfiber cloth to polish the disc with the paste
If you rub the paste with your finger, be sure to wash your hands first. Press lightly and rub the paste over the scratch to polish it.
Rub from the center of the disc to the outside of the disc. Do not rub the paste in a circular motion
Step 5. When finished, rinse the disc under warm water
Be sure to rinse off any paste from the surface of the disc. Then leave the disc to air dry.
Step 6. Professional disk repair
If the scratches are too deep for the toothpaste to handle, the only option left is to have the discs repaired professionally. This process is usually quite expensive, so if the game on the disc is already old, it is possible that a new copy will cost you much less.