Carolyn J. Braden • 3 Minute Read
How to Clean Retainers Naturally with Vinegar and Baking Soda
If your retainers have become cloudy, smelly, or covered in stubborn white buildup, you're not alone. I thought mine were beyond saving until I tried this simple, natural cleaning method—and I was honestly amazed by the results!
After testing denture cleaning tablets weekly for years and still seeing calcium buildup, I decided to do some research and see what was more effective. I landed on a DIY solution using just water, white vinegar, and baking soda. It worked better than I expected and even helped my retainers fit more comfortably once the buildup was gone.
Problem Solution Girl (Carolyn Braden) tested and approved!
Problem: My Retainers Were Covered in White Buildup
Over time, retainers can collect calcium deposits, plaque, and bacteria. Besides looking gross, all of that buildup can affect how your retainers fit. Mine had so much buildup that I could actually feel the difference after cleaning them with my recipe below.
🛍️Shop the Post
Support me as a creator and shop my links with no extra cost to you! See my creations come together via my Amazon Shop plus get buying links at affordable prices!
We also love shopping CVS ❤️ (the ExtraCare card savings stack helping you to save!) and here are some of our CVS finds to stock up on (especially when you get that 40% off coupon!) and love Walmart (Walmart+ gets you free shipping and delivery on many items) and Sam’s Club for extra savings on beauty, fashion and we love their furniture too!
🛠️We also love Lowe’s (see our Lowe’s storefront here) for all our home improvement projects and gardening loves (and animal lover loves too!).
📕Bookmark or pin this one by clicking the Pinterest SAVE button on the images in this article for creative magic in an instant.
👉More Product Loves❤️
You can also get the products I’ve featured and more of my product loves via my Target shop here or my CVS Store here (use your ExtraCare card to double up on savings!) or via my shop my store here or below:
🔗Links go out to either the brand website, Amazon, CVS, Walmart, Sam’s Club, Target, or Lowe’s where we source our supplies based on discounts, budget and pricing.
👀Check out my 1-minute 📹 video tutorial for this project on my TikTok now or coming soon here to my YouTube channel @carolynjbraden!
Tips for Keeping Retainers Clean
Clean your retainers regularly before heavy buildup develops.
I recommend giving them a deeper cleaning about every three months.
For routine soaking, I prefer using a 1:1 mixture of water and white vinegar instead of chemical-based denture tablets.
Avoid using toothpaste. During my research via the AAO (American Association of Orthodontists), I found that many dental professionals advise against toothpaste because its abrasives may scratch retainers, creating tiny grooves where bacteria and buildup can collect.
Want cleaner laundry? Try my Laundry Stripping tutorial here or below via my YouTube channel @carolynjbraden:
A Quick Note
Not all retainers are made from the same materials. Before trying this method, test it with a shorter soak time first, and if you're unsure whether vinegar is appropriate for your specific retainer, check with your dentist or orthodontist. This post is based on my personal experience and isn't a substitute for professional dental advice.
Best Way to Clean Clear Retainers Without Denture Tablets
Solution: A 3-Ingredient Natural Retainer Cleaner
Total cost: less than $5!
Here's what I used:
½ cup water (I used filtered water which I recommend)
½ cup white vinegar (I tested 5% acidity and this is important as it’s gentler than an industrial vinegar)
A soft toothbrush (I used a free one I get when I go to the dentist)
How to Remove White Buildup from Retainers Naturally
How to Clean Your Retainers Naturally
Mix equal parts water and white vinegar (I used ½ cup of each).
Soak your retainers for 30 minutes.
Remove them and sprinkle a little baking soda over the retainers. You’ll see it fizz a bit, which is a reaction to the vinegar. It’s like that cool volcano experiment you’ve probably seen in kid’s science projects but way less eruptive, lol!
Gently brush with a soft toothbrush to loosen and remove the softened deposits.
Rinse well with cool water BEFORE putting back in your mouth. During one of the cleaning rounds, I forgot to rinse and it did not taste good, lol!
Easy Homemade Retainer Cleaning Solution That Really Works
If your retainers have heavy calcium buildup like mine did, repeat the process as needed. I repeated it over a couple of hours until the deposits were completely gone. My retainers were clear again (no more icky yellow color!) and smelled very fresh!
I tested this on my TMJ hard plastic retainer and on my softer retainers that I use to keep my teeth in alignment. I believe this will work on Invisalign retainers too, but as I said earlier, test it by doing short time increments.
The crud did loosen with soaking!
Did It Really Work?
Yes! I was genuinely surprised by how well this worked. The white buildup slowly dissolved, my retainers looked dramatically cleaner, and they fit better afterward. It took a little patience as mine were very crudy, but the results were absolutely worth it.
In my experience, this natural method worked much better than denture cleaning tablets for removing stubborn mineral buildup.
More Another Vinegar Hacks
I use vinegar for many things. Cooking, cleaning and more is easier and chemical free with vinegar. I also love vinegar in lieu of fabric softener. I put some in my fabric softener drawer in my washer and it does the trick and leaves no buildup. I especially love it for my delicate clothing and undergarments. Read more about the use of vinegar for laundry via Martha Stewart.
Vinegar also works for descaling many coffee makers. It removes buildup on them just like it does for retainers.
I love using vinegar for adding a bit of tang to my recipes like salad dressings. It also serves as a wonderful tenderizer in my Cherry Caper Chicken recipe.
How to Deep Clean Your Retainers Using 3 Simple Ingredients
Is It Worth It?
If you're a Problem Solution Girl like me, this easy DIY is definitely worth trying. I couldn't believe how much cleaner my retainers became with just three simple ingredients I already had at home! See the images in this post for a receipt of my test.
🎬Take Action
If you try any of my ideas, let me know how it turned out—or tag me when you try them because I LOVE seeing your posts💖 If you tag me using @carolynsbloomingcreations or @carolynjbraden, I’ll see it! Or tell me about it in the comments below.
If you loved this article, we know you’ll love this one too: How to Easily Fix Sagging Couch Cushions
Carolyn J. Braden is the owner of Carolyn’s Blooming Creations is a regular contributor and editor for CBC. She has been featured in numerous media publications such as InStyle Magazine, on HGTV, on Bustle.com, and more. She is the author of the books Georgia McMasters in Amethyst Lake Cemetery, How To Be Yourself: 3 Ways To Help You Being You, and the illustrator for the children’s book Bridging Connections. She is a former classroom teacher that now dedicates her life to educating others on how to live their most healthy, creative and happy life. Learn more about her visiting our About Us page.