10 Ways To Preserve Your DVDs And Blu-Rays For Years To Come - bgr.com

What the report says

BGR published a consumer guide by Sydney Louw Butler on July 19, 2026, advising collectors on how to keep DVDs, Blu-rays, CDs and other optical discs usable as physical media continues to decline. The article frames disc collections as potentially harder to replace over time, noting that new discs are still sold but that digital distribution has reduced their role in movies, music and games.

The guide’s central recommendation is careful storage. BGR says discs should be kept in a cool, dry and stable indoor environment, away from sunlight, damp basements, poorly insulated attics and repeated temperature swings that can contribute to physical stress or layer separation. It recommends keeping discs upright in original cases when possible, while warning that overstacked cases or low-quality binders can crack, press or scratch discs.

BGR also emphasizes careful handling and cleaning. The article explains that optical discs rely on a laser reading data through layered materials, so scratches, dust, fingerprints or label-side damage can interfere with playback. It advises touching discs only by the edge and center hole, placing them only in a drive, case or sleeve, and cleaning from the center outward after first removing loose particles with air. For more stubborn residue, it suggests distilled water, disc cleaner or limited isopropyl alcohol on the data side only.

Other tips include avoiding adhesive labels, which BGR says may affect balance or interact with protective coatings, and using a marker or disc-specific labeling technology instead. The article also suggests that, where legally permitted, owners can reduce wear by making personal digital copies and using media server software such as Plex or Jellyfin.