The following is a quick one-page reference from the offically published "Care and Handling Guide for the Preservation of CDs and DVDs, CLIR and NIST joint project NIST Special Publication 500-252, October 2003, Final" If you are a die hard techie you can find the entire 50 page report here:
Final PDF version - 50 pages (1.24 MB file) 
CD and DVD Archiving
Quick Reference Guide for Care and Handling
Do: | 1. |
Handle discs by the outer edge or the center hole. |
| 2. |
Use a non solvent-based felt-tip permanent marker to mark the label side of the disc. |
| 3. |
Keep dirt or other foreign matter from the disc. |
| 4. |
Store discs upright (book style) in plastic cases specified for CDs and DVDs. |
| 5. |
Return discs to storage cases immediately after use. |
| 6. |
Leave discs in their packaging (or cases) to minimize the effects of environmental changes. |
| 7. |
Open a recordable disc package only when you are ready to record data on that disc. |
| 8. |
Store in a cool, dry, dark environment in which the air is clean. |
| 9. |
Remove dirt, foreign material, fingerprints, smudges, and liquids by wiping with a clean cotton fabric in a straight line from the center of the disc toward the outer edge. |
| 10. |
Use CD/DVD cleaning detergent, isopropyl alcohol or methanol to remove stubborn dirt or material. |
| 11. |
Check the disc surface before recording. |
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. |
Open a recordable optical disc package if you are not ready to record. |
| 6. |
Expose discs to extreme heat or high humidity. |
| 7. |
Expose discs to extreme rapid temperature or humidity changes. |
| 8. |
Expose recordable discs to prolonged sunlight or other sources of UV light. |
| 9. |
Write or mark in the data area of the disc (area where the laser "reads"). |
| 10. |
Clean in a circular direction around the disc. |
For CDs especially do not: | 1. |
Scratch the label side of a CD. |
| 2. |
Use a pen, pencil, or fine tip marker to write on the disc. |
| 3. |
Write on the disc with markers that contain solvents. |
| 4. |
Try to peel off or re-position a label. |
General recommendation for
long-term storage conditions
For archiving recordable (R) discs, it is recommended to use discs that have a gold metal reflective layer.
Archival Storage Facility
Recommendation for storing CDs and DVDs together |
Media |
Temperature |
Relative Humidity (RH) |
CD, DVD |
Less than 20°C (68°F) |
20% to 50% RH |
|
Greater than 4°C (39°F) |
|
| |
|
|
A temperature of 18°C and 40% RH would be considered suitable for long-term storage. |
A lower temperature and RH is recommended for extended-term storage. |
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