I've got a bunch of LDs with pretty dusty, dirty or otherwise mucky covers. What's the best way to clean them without damaging the covers? Damp cloth? Alcohol wet wipe? Isopropyl alcohol and a clean cloth?

You're really going to just use normal cleaning stuff and hope for the best.
Lots of the ink will react with alcohol and windex or other cleaners unless they have that super glossy cover then you just clean really fast.

I've never really done this type of cleaning, whenever i do i never get good results.
So it's really best to pass on dirty covers unless its regular normal house dust.
Good luck.

A lot would depend on exactly is on them. I would take one you don't particularly care about and experiment - start with a just barely damp cloth and see it that takes it off and then dry it right away and let it air dry after that.

I prefer charcoal lighter fluid for anything that is sticky - like sticker residue from thrift stores. I just dampen a cloth or paper towel and gently rub it over the residue and dry it up when done. (If you have stickers that won't come off intact you can put a bit more lighter fluid on with a q tip and let it soak for 10 seconds or so it will usually lift right off - may still leave a bit of residue that can be cleaned up as described above.

The only stickers I have ever had trouble with are some of the bar codes that rental places used - the nasty ones have kinda of a dark grey backing that will almost always take the cover with them.

Thanks for the input. Most of the discs I buy are from markets and have some dirt, dust build up on the covers. Can't really explain, just brown muck which has built up over time. I'll try a lightly damp cloth and then alcohol if needed.

If anyone has any other tips please let me know!

Hang them on a cloths line with the opening facing down on a breezy day.

I'd bought a copy with Edding marker on the cover. Got it clean with few drops of 100% Isopropanol on a tissue. Works great!
Otherwise a good rubber can be help you for a lot of persistent impurities.

But notice: The longer it'll be on the cover, so harder it marks he cover:-/.

Cleaning LD covers,

I have only used a small few drops of water on a couple of sheets of paper kitchen towel, just a light wipe and that was it.

Don't use alcohol as this would react to the ink........ I wouldn't risk as there is no need.

I hope I have been of some help here....

Kind Regards

Ancient thread, but I don't think it is worth creating yet another. I have always used Novus #1 on the sleeve/cover/jacket. I finally received one so filthy though that I didn't think the Novus would be sufficient. Ended up using two Clorox wipes that worked great.

It was free, I didn't have it, and a little bit of a more sought after title so I'm glad I could get it presentable. Still a few stains, but not bad overall.
Stay Tuned (1992) [12595]

Dang, that thing was nasty.

That is a pretty good before & after you have done with that.

From pretty grotty to pretty presentable .

I don’t think I ever saw a filthy LD until I came to this forum, not even a karaoke disc.

I've seen some awful things in my local adventures! The only hard stops for me though are mold/mildew followed by stacking.

Yeah I think the previous owner was using it as a coaster.

Inner WB sleeve went instantly into the trash. Little bits of grit had entered between the inner sleeve plastic and disc that cause a significant amount of minor abrasions on the disc but nothing to keep it from playing.

I'd still rather have disc like this than a slightly warped one in great cosmetic condition.