I just inherited 800-1000 CD's and a lot of them are filthy

You can use a wash in Dawn (or any detergent) and tap water. Then a spray rinse with distilled water and air dry vertically. No need for any special cleaning fluid. 

For an all around good CD cleaner, go to Walmart and buy a spray bottle of eyeglass cleaner. Its about two bucks a bottle and is every bit as good as the expensive stuff.

Frank

That "Novus" plastic cleaner should be fine. I use Novus #1 Plastic Clean and Shine. Remember to clean at a 90 degree angle (so they say). You can also use it for the jewel boxes. In my experience, CD players are very forgiving of surface scratches.