How To Clean Your Retainer

 

Wearing a retainer is key to keeping your smile straight, but it also means keeping that device clean. Because your retainer sits in your mouth for hours at a time, it collects the same bacteria, plaque and food debris that build up on your teeth[1]. Research shows that retainers provide surfaces where bacteria like methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) can stick and grow[2]. And if you don’t clean it regularly? Bacteria, plaque and tartar can build up, leading to bad odors, visible buildup, gum inflammation and even long-term damage to both your retainer and your teeth[1][3].

A clean retainer helps protect your oral health, keeps your appliance in good condition, and makes wearing it feel (and smell) a whole lot better. In this blog, we’ll cover how to clean your retainer day-to-day, the best methods for deep cleaning and what to avoid to keep it in top shape.

How Often Should You Clean Your Retainer?

Just like brushing and flossing, retainer cleaning should be part of your daily routine[1]. You need both daily and weekly care to keep it fresh and bacteria-free:

• Daily cleaning removes saliva, plaque and food debris that accumulate throughout the day or night. This helps prevent odor, buildup and surface stains. We also recommend cleaning it after you finish a meal.

• Weekly deep cleaning targets the tougher stuff like biofilm, mineral deposits and bacteria hiding in crevices. Think of it like flossing: it reaches what daily brushing can’t.

Both steps are important. Skipping daily care can lead to fast buildup, but skipping deep cleaning allows bacteria to stick around long-term. Do both, and you’ll extend the life of your retainer and keep your mouth healthier in the process.

How To Clean Your Retainer

Regular daily cleaning helps remove plaque, bacteria and food particles before they harden or start to smell. Here’s how to give your removable retainer a quick but effective clean[1][3]:

1. Rinse right after removal

As soon as you take out your retainer, rinse it under lukewarm (not hot) water. This helps remove saliva and loose debris before it dries and sticks to the surface.

2. Clean gently with mild soap or retainer cleaner

You can use a soft-bristle toothbrush (not the one you use for your teeth) and a small amount of gentle dish soap to scrub away buildup. But for a more effective and hassle-free clean, we recommend using a dedicated retainer cleaner like GuruNanda’s Aligner & Retainer Cleaner Foam. Its 3% hydrogen peroxide formula helps lift debris and gunk without scrubbing. You apply, let it work and then rinse. 

3. Reach tight spots with a cotton swab

If your retainer has ridges, grooves or hard-to-reach corners, use a cotton swab to gently clean those areas. You can add additional cleaning foam to the cotton swab, if a deeper clean is needed. This helps remove buildup that your toothbrush might miss.

4. Rinse and dry

After brushing, rinse thoroughly under lukewarm water to remove all soap or cleaning foam residue. Then, let it air dry on a clean surface or pat it dry with a soft, lint-free towel before placing it in your mouth or storing it properly.

How To Deep Clean Your Retainer

Method	Pros	Cons	Best For
Vinegar Soak	Affordable, natural	Strong smell, requires brushing afterwards	Budget-conscious users
Cleaning Tablets	Easy, effective, hands-off	Ongoing cost, longer wait time	Busy users or while traveling
Ultrasonic Cleaner	Most effective, fast, gentle	Higher upfront cost	Frequent users, hygiene-focused

 

Vinegar Soak 

Vinegar is a gentle, affordable way to help reduce bacterial buildup on your retainer. One study found that soaking retainers in white vinegar, followed by brushing, removed bacteria like Streptococcus mutans as effectively as peroxide-based tablets[4]. Here’s how to use it[4]:

1. Mix equal parts white vinegar (around 5%) and warm water in a glass. 

2. Soak your retainer for about 5 minutes

3. Brush gently with a soft toothbrush

4. Rinse thoroughly

Retainer Cleaning Tablets 

Retainer or denture cleaning tablets are a convenient and effective way to deep clean your retainer. These effervescent tablets create a solution that helps break down plaque, stains and bacteria without the need for scrubbing[5]. Many contain ingredients like sodium carbonate and sulfate acid to help sanitize and deodorize your appliance[5]. Here’s how to use them:

1. Drop a tablet into a cup of warm water

2. Soak your retainer according to package instructions (usually about 15-20 minutes)

3. Rinse thoroughly

Ultrasonic Cleaner (Our Recommended Method) 

Ultrasonic cleaners use high-frequency sound waves to create microscopic bubbles that lift away plaque, food particles and bacteria without the need for scrubbing[6]. Gentle yet effective, this method is also safe for daily use.

Their instructions vary based on the manufacturer, but here is typically how they work:

1. Add water to the cleaner’s tank (you can also add a cleaning tablet or cleaning foam for extra power).

2. Place your retainer in the basket and fully submerge it

3. Secure the lid and select your cleaning cycle (usually 5–10 minutes)

4. Once finished, rinse your retainer thoroughly

Why Do We Recommend Using an Ultrasonic Retainer Cleaner?

An ultrasonic retainer cleaner is a small countertop device that uses high-frequency sound waves to gently remove buildup from dental appliances. When these sound waves pass through water, they create microscopic bubbles that rapidly form and collapse through a process called cavitation[6]. This lifts away plaque, food particles and bacteria from even the smallest crevices. 

Because ultrasonic cleaning doesn’t rely on scrubbing or harsh chemicals, it’s ideal for delicate retainers, aligners and dentures made of plastic or metal[6]. It’s especially useful for cleaning around wires, clasps or textured surfaces where manual brushing often falls short. Research shows that ultrasonic cleaning paired with a denture or retainer cleaning tablet or foam removes plaque more effectively than brushing or soaking alone[7]. 

Many ultrasonic cleaners, like GuruNanda’s Retainer & Denture Cleaning Pod, go a step further with built-in UV light. This germicidal light works by disrupting the DNA and RNA of bacteria and viruses, preventing them from reproducing and effectively deactivating them[8].

What Not to Do When Cleaning Your Retainer

Some cleaning habits can actually damage your retainer or make it less effective. Avoid these common mistakes to keep yours in top shape[1][3]:

• Don’t Use Toothpaste: Most toothpaste is too abrasive and can scratch the surface of your retainer, making it easier for bacteria to cling. 

• Avoid Hot or Boiling Water: Heat can warp the plastic or acrylic in your retainer, affecting its fit and function. Always use lukewarm or cool water for cleaning.

• Keep It Out of Direct Sunlight and Heat: High temperatures can warp or discolor your retainer. Avoid leaving it in hot cars, near windows or under lamps.

• Never Use Bleach or Harsh Chemicals: Strong cleaners like bleach or hydrogen peroxide can break down the materials in your retainer and may be unsafe if any residue is left behind.

• Skip Alcohol-Based Products: Cleaners with alcohol can dry out your retainer, causing it to crack or degrade over time.

Keep Your Retainer Fresh and Clean With GuruNanda’s Cleaning Pod

Regular retainer cleaning is essential for preventing plaque buildup, discoloration and odor. With GuruNanda’s Retainer & Denture Cleaning Pod, you get a deeper clean without the hassle. For daily maintenance between deep cleans, pair it with GuruNanda’s Aligner & Retainer Cleaning Foam, which is a gentle, no-scrub formula that helps neutralize odors and keep your appliances fresh throughout the day.

This compact device uses 45 kHz ultrasonic waves to dislodge buildup from even the tiniest crevices. The built-in UV light helps sanitize both the tank and your dental gear, providing an extra layer of freshness. With no harsh chemicals and one-touch operation, it's safe, simple and effective. Plus, custom timer settings and a spacious tank make it easy to fit into any routine.

Upgrade your oral care routine with the GuruNanda Retainer & Denture Cleaning Pod today!

• 1. How to clean retainers: AAO’s guide to retainer care [Internet]. American Association of Orthodontists; [cited 2025 Jun 07] Available from: https://aaoinfo.org/whats-trending/how-to-clean-your-retainer/ 

  2. Al Groosh DH, Bozec L, Pratten J, Hunt NP. The influence of surface roughness and surface dynamics on the attachment of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus onto orthodontic retainer materials. Dent Mater J. 2015;34(5):585–594. doi:10.4012/dmj.2014-045. https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/dmj/34/5/34_2014-045/_pdf.

  3. How to clean your retainer [Internet]. WebMD; [cited 2025 Jun 09]. Available from: https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/how-to-clean-your-retainer

  4. Aydoğan Akgün F, Şenışık NE, Sesli Çetin E. Evaluation of the Efficacy of Different Cleaning Methods for Orthodontic Thermoplastic Retainers in terms of Bacterial Colonization. Turk J Orthod 2019; 32(4): 219-28. https://turkjorthod.org/pdf/26a6643d-3380-4766-8ed8-4703e5d7d038/articles/TurkJOrthod.2019.19061/Turk%20J%20Orthod-32-219-En.pdf.

  5. Luca L, Novara F, Margherini S, Tenconi C, Raspanti M. Scanning electron microscopy analysis of the growth of dental plaque on the surfaces of removable orthodontic aligners after the use of different cleaning methods. Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dentistry. 2015 Dec;125. doi:10.2147/ccide.s95814. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4687621/.

  6. Yamashita T, Ando K. Low-intensity ultrasound induced cavitation and streaming in oxygen-supersaturated water: Role of cavitation bubbles as physical cleaning agents. Ultrason Sonochem. 2019 Apr;52:268-279. doi: 10.1016/j.ultsonch.2018.11.025. Epub 2018 Dec 5. PMID: 30573434. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30573434/.

  7. Lim TW, Burrow MF, McGrath C. Efficacy of ultrasonic home-care denture cleaning versus conventional denture cleaning: A randomised crossover clinical trial. J Dent. 2024 Sep;148:105215. doi: 10.1016/j.jdent.2024.105215. Epub 2024 Jun 27. PMID: 38944265. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38944265/.

  8. Cutler TD, Zimmerman JJ. Ultraviolet irradiation and the mechanisms underlying its inactivation of infectious agents. Anim Health Res Rev. 2011 Jun;12(1):15-23. doi: 10.1017/S1466252311000016. PMID: 21676338. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21676338/.