Totally agree that the UV gadgets are overhyped for most people. I’ve never used anything fancy—just a little dish soap and a soft brush, like you said, and my retainer’s been fine for years. Do you ever worry about the case itself getting gross? Sometimes I’ll toss mine in the dishwasher or give it a quick scrub if it starts to smell... Maybe I’m just paranoid, but it seems to help.
I totally get what you mean about the retainer case. I’m always a little paranoid about germs too, so I’ll scrub mine with hot water and soap every few days. Tossing it in the dishwasher sounds smart—maybe I’ll try that next time.
Tossing it in the dishwasher sounds smart—maybe I’ll try that next time.
Funny enough, I tried the dishwasher trick once and my case came out looking a bit warped. Maybe my water was too hot or it just wasn’t meant for that kind of heat. Since then, I stick to scrubbing with a toothbrush and some mild soap. When I’m traveling, I bring a tiny bottle of mouthwash to give it a quick rinse if I’m feeling extra cautious. It’s not perfect, but it keeps me from worrying about what’s lurking in there...
I get the temptation to just toss everything in the dishwasher—makes life easier, right? But honestly, I’ve seen way too many cases and retainers come out warped or cloudy. Even “dishwasher safe” stuff can get weird with the heat. I’m super cautious, so I always hand wash with mild soap and a brush, like you mentioned. As for mouthwash, just be careful—some of them have alcohol that can dry out or even damage certain plastics over time. I know it sounds paranoid, but after seeing a few melted retainers, I’d rather play it safe...
Totally agree about the dishwasher—honestly, learned that one the hard way when my old retainer came out looking like a potato chip. I’m all about the hand wash now. Also, I once tried soaking it in mouthwash and it picked up this weird taste... not recommended.
