To clean a mouth guard effectively at home, follow these common steps:

• Rinse the mouth guard with cool water.
• Use a soft-bristle toothbrush and a mild, nonabrasive substance like toothpaste, mild unscented soap, or baking soda paste to gently brush the mouth guard.
• Rinse thoroughly with cool water to remove all cleaning agents.
• Let the mouth guard air dry completely on a clean surface.
• For deeper cleaning, soak the mouth guard in a mixture of alcohol-free mouthwash diluted with water, or use a natural solution like vinegar for 30 minutes, followed by soaking in hydrogen peroxide for another 30 minutes, then rinse and dry.
• Avoid using harsh chemicals, abrasive cleaners, or alcohol-based mouthwash as they can damage the mouth guard.
• Store the clean, dry mouth guard in a ventilated case to prevent bacterial growth.

These methods cleanse the mouth guard of bacteria, debris, odors, and prevent stains while maintaining the integrity of the material.