Top 9 Best Retainer Cleaners in 2021 (Dental Hygienist-Reviewed)

• works in just 2 minutes to clean plaque, stains, odor, and food residue
• sugar-, additive-, chemical-, alcohol-, peroxide-, and artificial ingredient-free
• only contains ingredients that you might also find in foods and plant-based cleansers
  
• peppermint oil to leave you feeling fresh
  
• comes in a spray bottle to use easily and on-the-go
• 1 bottle will last between 1 to 2 months
  

Recommended for:

• fast-working, simple application, and leaves your retainers feelings fresh

This all-natural cleaning spray does require some brushing, so it’s a bit more involved than other methods, but it works fast and keeps you feeling fresh. Critical reviewers did not see a remarkable difference between using this product compared to cleaning with water. However, most reviewers liked how easy it is to use guardClean and how portable it is.

• set of powder and liquid that you mix together
• gentle, non-toxic ingredients and alcohol-, toxin-, persulfate-, and harmful chemical-free
• kills candida albicans, other oral microbes, and infection-causing bacteria 
• takes 15 minutes to clean
• use for up to a week

Recommended for:

• people who want to clean their retainers less frequently but still thoroughly

This cleaner might leave a slight blue tinge on clear aligners and some reviewers note that mixing the two packets together does require attention–though you do only have to do it once a week. But reviewers who like the product mention that it is easy to use and works well. Some of their orthodontists even recommended this brand to them!

• can be used for retainers, dentures, mouth guards, and metal partials
• comes as a large container of powdery crystals that you measure out by the capful
  
• contains enough for 90 cleanings
• measure the amount of powder yourself
• gentle enough to leave your retainer in overnight
  
• cleans very efficiently even when soaking for just 10 minutes
  

Recommended for:

• regular, long-term use and for long, cleaning soaks for your retainers

While this may not be the easiest product to travel with, the measure yourself system makes it easy to adjust the amount added depending on how heavy your stains are. Reviewers like that you can leave your retainers in the solution for as long as you like without it having any damaging effects.

• works within 5 minutes
• comes in 24 pre-portioned packets—no crushing or spilling when traveling
• solution turns from blue to clear to indicate when it's done
• great at cleaning the small nooks and crannies in your retainer

Recommended for:

• travel-friendly and convenient indicator of when to take out your retainers

This cleaning powder comes in pre-portioned packets that are easy to travel with. However, reviewers note that it does have a rather strong odor and that you should definitely rinse well before putting your retainer in your mouth after cleaning. Most reviewers do say the product works well as advertised and keeps their mouthguards and retainers feeling clean and fresh.

• works while you wear your retainer
• formulated with teeth whitening powder
• kills 99.99% of germs causing bad breath
• hydrogen peroxide to sanitize your clear aligners
  
• no need to soak or rinse—simply apply, wear, and go
  

Recommended for:

• daytime use, and for being highly efficient and convenient by working while you use your retainer

Since this it works while you use your retainer, you can straighten your teeth and clean your retainers at the same time! Reviewers note that while it doesn’t really whiten your teeth, it does do a great job of keeping your retainer feeling fresh all day and preventing any unwanted odors.

• works within a minute, making it easy to fit into your schedule
• 1 bottle lasts for 45 days
• contains no persulfates
  
• eliminates 99.9% of bacteria, germs, microbes, and viruses

Recommended for:

• fast-cleaning on clear-colored retainers —they especially work well on Invisaligns

• non-chlorinated
• cleans, deodorizes, and removes stains, tartar, and plaque
• powder that you add to water creates a cleaning solution that can be reused for up to 10 days
• good at killing common mouth bacteria
  

Recommended for:

• removing difficult stains, killing bacteria, and its reusable solution

Some people may not like the idea of reusing the same solution for several days in a row. This setup is also not ideal for those who travel often. But reviewers like that one package of Smile Again lasts a long time, works on stains, and cleans well. And if you want even more of a deep clean, you can get this sonic cleaner to help!

• cleans in 15 minutes
• comes with 150 individually wrapped, crumble-resistant tablets
• lasts nearly half a year of everyday use
  
• leaves your mouth feeling extra fresh and minty with peppermint oil
  
• fights bad breath, white plaque, stains, and tartar

• cost-efficient and easy to carry and use with no spillage—just drop one tablet in warm water to make the solution

Avistar cleans your retainer quickly in 15 minutes; but, for a deeper clean, leave them in overnight. However, aside from persulfates, this cleaner also includes artificial coloring (indigo), so if you’re sensitive to colorants, this might not be the best product for you. Reviewers like that the tablets don't crumble easily and work well on odors.

• cleans in 15 minutes
• kills 99.9% of bacteria
  
• comes with 120 tablets for easy portability
• designed for clear retainers, aligners, wire retainers, sports mouthguards, and nightguards (cannot be used with dentures)

Recommended for:

• classic brand that's simple to use on the daily and cleans well, eliminating tartar, other residue, and odors

This cleaner isn’t as powerful as some other cleaners, though that makes it better for daily use. On top of that, you need to soak it for 15 minutes and 15 minutes only, which can make for an awkward time period that allows for forgetting. But many reviewers say this works very well, with some saying it works best in conjunction with a brush.