What's The Best Solution To Clean An Optical Drive Laser Lens?

What's the best way to clean a disc an optical drive laser lens?

I've heard that alcohol and a q tip would be best... But I don't know what kind of alcohol. I'm getting drive read errors on an optical drive. It just won't read discs all the time. I've got the drive dismantled and I'm ready to go at it with the best cleaning method you guys have got!


Thanks

 

The best method I've found is a good old Q-Tip and some 91% isopropyl alcohol. I would stay away from those 'disc cleaners.' The one that look like a CD and have little brushes on them. From what I've read about them, the brushes are too stiff and could possibly damage the lense itself. Whether that's true or not, I don't know from personal experience, but I thought I'd pass it along anyway.

 

I would start with a can of compressed dusting gas first. Then if no help, you might try alcohol.