Those crystals are wild expensive for what they are. I tried them once and honestly didn’t notice much difference compared to just using a little dish soap and a soft toothbrush. I’ve also done the baking soda thing, but yeah, it’s gritty and sometimes leaves that weird taste behind. What’s worked best for me is rinsing my aligners every time I take them out—keeps the funk away and saves me from scrubbing later. They’re not crystal clear, but at least they don’t look like I left them in a coffee cup overnight...
I’ve also done the baking soda thing, but yeah, it’s gritty and sometimes leaves that weird taste behind.
I get what you mean about the crystals being pricey, but I actually did notice a difference after a few days—they seemed less cloudy somehow? Maybe it’s just me being paranoid about stains, but I’m super anxious about them looking gross. I tried the dish soap thing too, but kept worrying about leaving residue. Rinsing helps, but I still feel like I need a “deep clean” once in a while or I start imagining all the bacteria...
I totally relate to the paranoia about bacteria—I feel like I’m always imagining invisible grime building up. I tried the dish soap thing for a while, but then I started worrying I wasn’t rinsing enough and that I’d taste soap all day. The crystals work, but the cost adds up fast if you use them daily. Has anyone here tried those ultrasonic cleaner gadgets? I’ve seen them online, but I’m not sure if they’re worth the investment or just another gimmick.
I’ve wondered about those ultrasonic cleaners too, but honestly, I can’t decide if they’re just another gadget or actually helpful. I mean, the price tag is a bit much for something that might not even work better than a good old toothbrush and some patience. Has anyone actually noticed their aligners staying clearer or smelling fresher with one of those?
I’ve been sticking with diluted dish soap and a soft brush, but I totally get what you mean about the soap taste paranoia—sometimes I rinse like five times just to be sure. The cleaning crystals do work, but yeah, my wallet isn’t loving it. Has anyone tried just soaking in plain water with a splash of vinegar? I read about it somewhere, but never tried because I was worried about the taste or if it would mess up the plastic. Curious if that’s any cheaper or if it actually helps with the cloudy look.
Has anyone tried just soaking in plain water with a splash of vinegar? I read about it somewhere, but never tried because I was worried about the taste or if it would mess up the plastic.
I actually tried the vinegar thing once—just a tiny bit. The taste lingered way more than I expected, even after rinsing like crazy. Didn’t notice much difference with the cloudiness either. Has anyone found a way to get rid of that weird film that builds up if you forget to clean them for a day or two? That’s my main struggle...
