If you are midway through your Invisalign process, your trays are inside your mouth for at least 20 to 22 hours every day. And what grows on your trays will definitely grow on you. That doesn’t sound appealing — but it’s one of the reasons why you need to clean them properly.
Don’t fret! It just requires a couple of minutes of your time every day if you know how to do it right. At Shoreline Dentistry, we instruct our patients to do this before starting their Invisalign treatment. Here are the steps that we’ve explained in detail during their visits.
Why Invisalign Care Matters
These will accumulate on your trays very quickly – within just a few hours. If you don’t clean them, you may begin to experience:
- Yellowing of your trays
- Constant foul odor
- White chalky deposits
- Increased cavity risk
- A detectable flavor once you put your aligners back in your mouth
Clean aligners lead to a healthy mouth, a better experience with the treatment, and, last but not least, better results with Invisalign.
How to Clean Invisalign Aligners — Daily Routine
Follow this routine every single day. It takes about two minutes, twice a day.
- Rinse with lukewarm water every time you take your aligners out — never hot water (it warps the plastic).
- Brush gently with a soft-bristle toothbrush. Use one that’s separate from the brush you use for your teeth.
- Use a non-abrasive cleaner — clear, unscented liquid hand soap works perfectly. Avoid regular toothpaste.
- Rinse thoroughly before reinserting.
- Brush and floss your teeth before putting the aligners back in.
How often? At a minimum, twice a day — morning and night. Ideally, a quick rinse every time the trays come out.
How to Deep Clean Invisalign Trays (Weekly Routine)
Once a week, give your aligners a proper soak. This clears out anything that daily cleaning misses.
Options for soaking:
- Official Invisalign cleaning crystals
- Denture cleaning tablets (Polident or Efferdent)
- Retainer cleaner tablets
- A 50/50 mix of hydrogen peroxide and water
- A 1:3 mix of white vinegar and water for stubborn buildup
Steps:
- Rinse the aligners under lukewarm water.
- Soak in your chosen solution for 15–30 minutes.
- Brush gently with a soft toothbrush.
- Rinse thoroughly.
- Reinsert or store in your case.
Fresh, clear, and ready for another week.
What You Should NOT Use to Clean Invisalign
Just as important as what to use:
- Regular toothpaste — most are abrasive and scratch the trays
- Hot water — warps the plastic permanently
- Coloured mouthwash — can stain your aligners
- Scented or dyed soap — leaves a film and tastes awful
- Bleach-based denture cleaners — too harsh
- Hard-bristle toothbrushes — they scratch the surface
When in doubt, stick to lukewarm water, mild soap, and a soft brush.
Common Mistakes That Damage Invisalign Aligners
A few habits we see patients fall into:
- Eating or drinking anything but water with trays in
- Wrapping them in a napkin during meals (they almost always get thrown out)
- Leaving them out of their case
- Smoking with aligners in (stains them within days)
- Skipping the brush-before-reinsert step
Each one of these slows down your Invisalign treatment and adds to the wear on your trays.
How to Keep Your Aligners Clear and Stain-Free
A few simple habits that make a big difference:
- Drink only water while your trays are in
- Rinse your mouth (and aligners) after meals before reinserting
- Skip hot drinks while wearing them
- Avoid lipstick or lip products that can transfer onto the trays
- Clean your aligner case weekly
How to Clean Your Invisalign Case
Easy to forget, but worth a minute of your time:
- Wash the case daily with warm water and mild soap
- Air dry completely before storing the aligners
- Replace your case every 2–3 months
A clean case means cleaner aligners by default.
Signs Your Aligners May Need Replacing
Sometimes cleaning isn’t enough. Reach out to Shoreline Dentistry if you notice:
- Visible cracks or warping
- Cloudiness that won’t clean off
- A smell that lingers even after deep cleaning
- A loose, off-fit on your teeth
Small issues are quick fixes when caught early.
Pro Tips From the Shoreline Dentistry Studio Team
Knowing how to care for Invisalign aligners gets a lot easier with a few small habits:
- Keep a soft toothbrush dedicated just to your aligners
- Travel with a mini cleaning kit (case, brush, small bottle of soap)
- Don’t drink coffee or tea with trays in — even iced
- Set a phone reminder for your weekly deep clean
- Stick to your tray-change schedule for the best Invisalign results
The Bottom Line
Cleaning Invisalign aligners isn’t complicated — it just needs to be consistent. A two-minute daily routine, a quick weekly soak, and a few habits to avoid will keep your trays clear, your treatment on track, and your mouth healthy throughout the entire process. Book with us at Shoreline Dentistry today.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I clean my Invisalign with toothpaste?
Absolutely not. Most toothpastes are too abrasive and will leave your trays looking foggy. Use clear, unscented soap or buy something specifically made for aligners.
2. How often can I deep clean?
Once a week is the gold standard. Use cleaning crystals, denture tablets, or make a mild hydrogen peroxide solution. Let them sit for 15 to 30 minutes to stop the buildup.
3. Why are the aligners becoming yellow?
Most likely coffee, tea, or smoking. It can also happen by not cleaning your teeth before putting the aligners back in. Just follow the rules for daily cleaning of your aligners, and they will be fine in no time.
4. Is it okay to soak my aligners overnight?
Absolutely not! It will deform the plastic. Only soak them for 15-30 minutes and avoid hot water.
5. Are you interested in any other aspects of your treatment with Invisalign?
Shoreline Dentistry Studio would love to talk to you and answer any questions to be sure your treatment is going well.