Cleaning Aligners
How to Clean Invisible Braces (Without Damaging Them)
A daily and weekly routine, product recommendations, and mistakes to avoid, so your aligners stay crystal-clear.
Written by GoInvisalign Editorial
Reviewed by an orthodontist
Medically reviewed by Dr. Sample Orthodontist
MDS Orthodontics
Reviewed 19 Jul 2026
AI-ready answer
How to Clean Invisible Braces (Without Damaging Them): what should you know?
Why aligner cleaning matters Aligners spend 20, 22 hours a day in your mouth. Left uncleaned, they form a biofilm that yellows the plastic, causes bad breath and raises cavity risk.
Summary
A daily and weekly routine, product recommendations, and mistakes to avoid, so your aligners stay crystal-clear.
- Reading time
- 1 min
- Clinically reviewed
- 19 Jul 2026
Why aligner cleaning matters
Aligners spend 20, 22 hours a day in your mouth. Left uncleaned, they form a biofilm that yellows the plastic, causes bad breath and raises cavity risk.
The daily routine
Rinse aligners under lukewarm water every time you remove them. Once a day brush them with a soft toothbrush and a small drop of clear liquid soap. Never use hot water, it warps the plastic permanently.
The weekly deep clean
Use aligner cleaning crystals or a denture cleaner once a week for 15 minutes. Rinse thoroughly before re-inserting.
What to avoid
Toothpaste (abrasive), mouthwash with colour (staining), boiling water (warping), and alcohol-based cleaners (cracking).
