With what do you guys recommend I clean the laser in my cdrw?

[Cknyc]

and how rough should I be?

 

[divinemartyr]

Alcohol with a cotton swab if you can get to it, if not, use a can of air.

dm

 

[NoreagaCNN]

Just buy a Cleaning CD,

-Nore

 

[Seeko]

You should never touch the laser of any device. Using cotton and the cd cleaners may do more harm than good because it can scratch the laser eye. Using compressed air is your safest option.