How to Clean Invisalign Properly (Without Damaging Your Aligners)

If you’re investing thousands into your smile, the last thing you want is cloudy, smelly, bacteria-covered aligners.

Every week in clinic, we see patients who are brushing their trays with toothpaste, soaking them in random solutions, or worse, not cleaning them properly at all.

If you’ve searched:

• retainer cleaner

• ultrasonic retainer cleaner

• retainer cleaner tablets

• Invisalign cleaning crystals

• retainer cleaner machine

You’re in the right place.

Let’s break down the correct, dentist-approved way to clean Invisalign, without damaging your aligners.

Why Cleaning Invisalign Properly Matters

Invisalign aligners are worn 20–22 hours per day.

That means:

• Bacteria build up rapidly

• Plaque biofilm forms on the plastic surface

• Saliva minerals cause clouding

• Odour develops

• Staining increases

A 2015 study published in the Journal of Clinical Orthodontics showed aligners accumulate bacterial biofilm similar to teeth if not cleaned effectively. [source]

If you’re not cleaning them properly, you’re essentially re-inserting bacteria into your mouth 22 hours a day.

The Biggest Mistakes Patients Make

1. Brushing With Toothpaste

Toothpaste is abrasive. It creates microscopic scratches in the aligner surface, making trays:

• Look cloudy

• Trap more bacteria

• Stain more easily

 2. Using Hot Water

Heat warps thermoplastic material. Even mildly hot water can distort the fit.

Warped trays = compromised tooth movement.

 3. Only Using Retainer Cleaner Tablets

Many patients rely solely on retainer cleaner tablets.

They help, but:

• They don’t mechanically remove biofilm

• They don’t reach microscopic grooves

• They don’t remove hardened deposits effectively

Tablets alone are not the gold standard.

What About Invisalign Cleaning Crystals?

Invisalign sells Invisalign Cleaning Crystals designed to reduce plaque and bacteria.

They’re effective for soaking but:

• They are not ultrasonic

• They require manual agitation

• They don’t remove stubborn build-up as effectively as ultrasonic cavitation

They’re better than nothing, but not optimal.

The Gold Standard: Ultrasonic Cleaning

If you’ve searched ultrasonic retainer cleaner or retainer cleaner machine, you’re already on the right path.

Ultrasonic cleaning uses high-frequency sound waves to create microscopic bubbles (cavitation) in water. These bubbles collapse and dislodge:

• Plaque biofilm

• Food debris

• Bacteria

• Calculus deposits

It cleans areas you physically cannot reach with brushing.

Why the Sereclean Pod Is the Gold Standard

As a dentist and founder of Sereclean, I created the Sereclean Pod because I was frustrated with patients damaging their trays.

The Sereclean Pod is a purpose-built ultrasonic retainer cleaner machine designed specifically for:

• Clear aligners

• Retainers

• Sports mouthguards

• Dentures

Unlike basic soaking with retainer cleaner tablets, ultrasonic technology:

✔ Removes biofilm without scratching
✔ Cleans evenly across the entire tray
✔ Preserves clarity
✔ Reduces odour-causing bacteria
✔ Maintains aligner integrity

You can use it:

• With water alone for daily cleaning

• Or with compatible retainer cleaner tablets for enhanced results

 Learn exactly how it works here:

Step-by-Step: How to Clean Invisalign Properly

Morning Routine

1. Rinse trays under lukewarm water

2. Place in ultrasonic retainer cleaner (Sereclean Pod)

3. Run one cleaning cycle

4. Rinse and reinsert

Evening Deep Clean

1. Rinse trays

2. Add water + cleaning tablet (if needed)

3. Run ultrasonic cycle

4. Brush teeth (not trays)

5. Reinsert

This keeps trays:

• Clear

• Odour-free

• Hygienic

Retainer Cleaner vs Ultrasonic Retainer Cleaner: What’s the Difference?

If you’re serious about your aligner investment, ultrasonic wins.

Read more about retainer cleaner tablets here

How Often Should You Clean Invisalign?

• Rinse every time you remove them

• Ultrasonic clean daily

• Deep clean 2–3 times per week

Skipping cleaning leads to:

• White spot lesions

• Gingivitis

• Halitosis

• Increased decay risk

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use mouthwash?

No. Alcohol can damage the plastic and increase brittleness.

Can I use vinegar?

Not recommended. It may alter material properties over time.

Do I need Invisalign cleaning crystals?

They help, but ultrasonic cleaning is superior for biofilm removal.

Final Thoughts From a Dentist

Your aligners are medical devices.

If you wouldn’t wash surgical equipment with toothpaste, why do it to something you wear 22 hours a day?

The safest, most effective, dentist-designed solution is a purpose-built ultrasonic retainer cleaner machine.

If you want to protect your treatment, maintain clarity, and reduce bacteria properly:

 Discover the Sereclean Pod here:

Dont forget to get the FREE Ultimate Aligner Care Guide here