Best Cleaning Products for Dental Equipment (And What to Avoid)

Your dental equipment is an investment, one that’s at the core of every treatment you provide.

The right cleaning products don’t just keep things looking spotless; they protect that investment, keep your practice compliant and help you avoid costly downtime.

Using products designed specifically for dental environments means:

• Longer equipment life: Avoiding upholstery cracks, faded plastics, or corrosion from harsh chemicals.
• Reliable performance: Preventing build-up that affects chair movement, suction efficiency, or waterline safety.
• HTM 01-05 compliance: Meeting the gold standard for infection control in UK dental practices.

Every piece of equipment, from your dental chair to your suction pump, has its own cleaning needs.

A surface spray that works perfectly on a light handle could damage chair upholstery. A waterline treatment like Alpron keeps your unit output water safe, but is harmful on surfaces.

We’ve aligned every tip with manufacturer guidance and UK HTM 01-05 decontamination standards, so you can be confident your cleaning routine protects your patients, your staff and your equipment.

General Cleaning Best Practices

Before you reach for a spray bottle or wipe, it’s worth remembering that how you clean is just as important as what you use.

Following these core principles will protect your equipment, keep you compliant, and make cleaning more effective.

1. Follow Manufacturer Instructions

Always use cleaning products exactly as the label and manufacturer recommend.

This means:

• The right dilution – too strong can damage finishes, too weak won’t be effective.
• The right application method – spray onto a cloth, not directly onto equipment unless told otherwise.
• The right frequency – some products are for between-patient use, others for daily or weekly cleaning.

2. Clean, Then Disinfect

If a surface is visibly dirty, clean it first with a mild detergent or approved cleaner before disinfecting.

Dirt, dust and biofilm can shield microbes from disinfectants.

• Routine wipe-downs: Use combined cleaner/disinfectant wipes if the surface is already clean.
• Heavy soiling: Always pre-clean before applying disinfectant.

3. Use Non‑Abrasive Cloths

Microfibre or lint‑free cloths trap dirt without scratching.

Avoid paper towels, scouring pads, or anything abrasive. These can dull or damage surfaces, particularly plastics and upholstery.

4. Dry Surfaces After Cleaning

Never leave liquid pooling on a surface.

After the required contact time, wipe off any excess and dry with a clean cloth.

This is especially important for metals like aluminium, which can stain or corrode if left damp.

5. Don’t Overuse Chemicals

More isn’t better. Excessive or overly frequent use of strong disinfectants can fade plastics, crack upholstery and shorten equipment life.

Stick to the recommended schedule and avoid mixing chemicals.

6. Use Protective Barriers

Disposable barriers on high‑touch points (chair headrests, light handles, x‑ray controls) reduce chemical exposure and speed up turnaround.

Replace barriers between patients and still clean those areas daily.

7. Maintain Good Ventilation

When using chemical products, particularly sprays, keep the area well‑ventilated.

This protects your team and helps surfaces dry more quickly.

By embedding these habits into your daily routine, you’ll not only keep your surgery clean and compliant, you’ll also extend the working life of your equipment and avoid unnecessary repairs.

Check out our Dental Chair Care & Cleaning Guide for more information and our video on How to Clean a Dental Chair Between Patients.

Recommended Cleaning Products & What They’re For

Choosing the right cleaning solution for each part of your dental surgery is essential.

A cleaner that works perfectly on a light handle might damage chair upholstery, and a waterline disinfectant won’t protect your suction system.

The chart below gives you a clear, at‑a‑glance guide to which products are suitable for each surface or system.

Every recommendation is:

• HTM 01‑05 compliant
• Approved by equipment manufacturers
• Selected to protect your investment and extend equipment life

Use this reference to quickly check:

• Which products to use on chair upholstery, surfaces, delivery units, waterlines, suction lines, and spittoons
• Which products to avoid on certain surfaces
• How specialist products fit into your daily and weekly cleaning routine

Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for dilution, contact time and frequency of use. This ensures effective cleaning without unnecessary wear to your equipment.

Spotlight: The HyGe Eco‑Smart Dispenser

The HyGe Eco‑Smart Dispenser is a modern alternative to traditional wipes and spray bottles, designed to make surgery cleaning faster, more consistent and more sustainable.

Instead of storing multiple tubs of wipes and bottles of solution, HyGe combines two functions in one touch‑free unit:

• Dry wipes for quick dusting or initial cleaning.
• Pre‑moistened disinfectant wipes created on‑demand as you dispense them.

This means you always get a freshly dosed wipe with the correct amount of cleaning solution. No guesswork, no dried‑out packs and no over‑spraying.

Benefits for Your Practice

• Time‑saving – No need to spray and wipe separately.
• Consistent dosing – Every wipe gets the right amount of disinfectant.
• Eco‑friendly – Reduces single‑use plastic from disposable wipe packs.
• Safe on surfaces – The alcohol‑free solution won’t dry out upholstery or crack plastics.
• Better workflow – Staff have dry and wet wipes ready in one place, speeding up patient turnaround.

The HyGe solution is effective against clinical pathogens yet gentle enough for daily use on chairs, surfaces and controls.

By reducing waste and simplifying your cleaning station, it supports both compliance and sustainability in your surgery.

Many practices that have switched to HyGe report smoother cleaning routines, less chemical waste and better control over wipe usage.

If you’re looking to modernise your cleaning setup, the HyGe Eco‑Smart Dispenser is a smart investment that works alongside your core cleaning products.

Note: This product has not yet been approved by Belmont for use on their chairs.

Take a look at this cost calculator to see how much you could save by using this innovative system.

Cautionary Tips & Common Mistakes

Even with the best products, poor cleaning habits can damage your equipment or leave you short of compliance.

Avoid these common pitfalls to protect your investment and keep your practice HTM 01‑05 ready.

1. Overusing Chemicals

Stronger or more frequent isn’t always better.

Excessive use of harsh disinfectants can:

• Crack and fade upholstery
• Dull plastics and painted finishes
• Shorten equipment life

Stick to the recommended frequency and never mix different cleaning agents.

2. Ignoring Contact Times

Disinfectants need time to work, usually 1–2 minutes of wet contact unless the label says otherwise.

Wiping too soon reduces effectiveness and could leave harmful microbes behind.

3. Spraying Directly on Equipment

Liquids can seep into control panels, touchscreens and joints, causing corrosion or electrical faults.

Always spray onto a cloth or use a pre‑moistened wipe instead.

4. Using the Wrong Product in the Wrong System

• Waterline products (e.g. Alpron) are for internal water channels only.
• Suction disinfectants (e.g. Orotol, Puli‑Jet) are system‑specific — Dürr vs Cattani.
• Using the wrong one can damage seals or void warranties.

5. Letting Liquids Pool on Surfaces

Even approved products can leave stains or cause corrosion if left to dry in puddles.

Wipe dry after the correct contact time.

6. Neglecting Weekly or Monthly Deep Cleans

Daily wipes aren’t enough for suction lines, spittoons, or waterlines.

Build weekly deep‑cleaning products (like MD 550 for spittoons) into your maintenance schedule.

Building a Cleaning Routine

A good cleaning routine is more than a checklist; it’s the structure that keeps your equipment safe, compliant and ready for every patient.

Breaking tasks down into daily, weekly and monthly components helps your team stay consistent and makes CQC audits far less stressful.

Daily Tasks

(Between Patients & End of Day)

• Surface disinfectant (Belmont Chair Surface Disinfector, FD 366 wipes) on chair armrests, controls, delivery unit and light handles.
• Replace disposable barriers on high‑touch points.
• Waterline flush (Alpron 1% daily maintenance) at the start/end of the day and between patients.
• Suction disinfection (Orotol for Dürr / Puli‑Jet for Cattani) after last patient, run through all hoses.
• Dry all surfaces to prevent pooling or residue.

Weekly Tasks

(Deeper Maintenance)

• Spittoon cleaning with MD 550 to remove limescale and saliva stone.
• Weekly suction deep clean with non‑foaming enzymatic or acid cleaner if recommended by manufacturer.
• Upholstery cleaning with gentle cleaner/conditioner (Belmont Upholstery Care, Dürr FD 360) to maintain suppleness and colour.
• Barrier check: Review and replace any worn or peeling adhesive films.

Monthly / Periodic Tasks

(Preventive & Intensive)

• Waterline shock treatment if advised by your unit manufacturer (e.g. Bilpron).
• Check for wear on upholstery seams, light handle grips, and tubing. Arrange repair or replacement before damage worsens.
• Clean external cabinet and flooring surfaces using suitable bactericidal floor cleaner and approved cabinetry wipes.
• Review cleaning logs for gaps or missed tasks; reinforce with staff if needed.

Pro Tip: Keep your routine visible. Print it, laminate it and place it at your cleaning station. It acts as both a reminder for staff and evidence of your infection control measures during inspections.

Other Areas to Consider

Your chair, waterlines and suction system may be the main focus of daily cleaning. But a truly compliant, professional surgery also maintains everything that patients and staff interact with.

Here are a few often‑overlooked areas to include in your routine:

1. Handpiece and Instrument Care

Clinical handpieces and instruments have their own cleaning and sterilisation pathway, ultrasonic cleaning or washer‑disinfectors, then autoclaving, in line with HTM 01‑05.

• Wipe externally after use with an approved instrument disinfectant before processing.
• Lubricate handpieces as per manufacturer guidelines to prevent wear.(Full details belong in your decontamination SOP, but it’s worth reinforcing these steps with your team.)

2. Flooring and Cabinetry

• Daily floor cleaning with a healthcare‑safe bactericidal cleaner reduces dust and potential bio‑burden.
• Mop the operatory floor, focusing on the area around the dental chair where splatter and debris can land.
• Cabinetry and worktops can be wiped with the same surface disinfectant wipes you use for the chair, just check they’re material‑safe.

3. Imaging Equipment & Screens

• Digital x‑ray sensors, intraoral cameras and touchscreen monitors are sensitive to moisture and harsh chemicals.
• Use alcohol‑free disinfectant wipes or protective sleeves.
• Never spray liquid directly onto screens or electronics.

4. Weekly System “Deep Cleans”

• In addition to daily suction disinfection, run a weekly intensive clean of suction lines with a manufacturer‑approved cleaner.
• Consider periodic waterline shock treatment if advised by your dental unit manufacturer.
• This ensures any build‑up or biofilm missed by daily routines is fully removed.

By broadening your cleaning programme to include these areas, you’re protecting more than your equipment; you’re protecting your patients, staff and practice reputation.

It also means you’re far less likely to be caught off‑guard in a CQC audit.

Summary & How Eclipse Can Help

Cleaning your dental equipment is about protecting your investment, keeping your practice compliant and ensuring every patient receives care in a safe environment.

By using the right cleaning products for the right job, following manufacturer guidance and keeping to a consistent routine, you:

• Extend equipment life and reduce costly repairs.
• Maintain HTM 01‑05 compliance for infection control.
• Protect staff and patients from cross‑contamination risks.

At Eclipse Dental, we supply and support the trusted brands mentioned in this guide.

We can advise on:

• Which products are compatible with your equipment.
• How to build a cleaning schedule that works for your team.
• Training your staff on correct product use to avoid damage and maximise results.

Whether you need everyday disinfectant wipes, specialist suction cleaners, or innovative solutions like the HyGe Eco‑Smart Dispenser, we’re here to help you make the right choice for your practice.

📞 Call us on 01322 292222 or send us a message to order your cleaning products or get tailored advice for your equipment.

Frequently Asked Questions – Dental Equipment Cleaning Products

1. Can I use household cleaners on my dental chair?

No. Household cleaners, bleach and solvent‑based products can damage upholstery, plastics and painted finishes. Always use cleaning products designed for dental equipment to protect your investment and stay HTM 01‑05 compliant.

2. How often should I disinfect my suction lines?

Run a manufacturer‑approved suction disinfectant (e.g. Orotol for Dürr, Puli‑Jet for Cattani) at the end of each clinical day. Include a deeper clean weekly for best performance.

3. Do I need to clean chair upholstery every day?

Yes. Wipe down chair upholstery between every patient using a low‑alcohol disinfectant approved for vinyl (e.g. FD 366 wipes or Belmont Chair Surface Disinfector). Weekly, use a gentle cleaner/conditioner to maintain softness and prevent cracking.

4. What’s the difference between Alpron and a surface disinfectant?

Alpron is not a surface disinfectant; it’s a waterline treatment that prevents biofilm inside your unit’s internal water channels. Surface disinfectants are designed for external use on chairs, delivery units and other touchpoints.

5. Can I use one suction cleaner for all systems?

No. Use the suction cleaner specified for your system: Orotol for Dürr vacuum pumps, Puli‑Jet for Cattani systems. Using the wrong product may reduce effectiveness or damage the system.

6. Do I need to rinse after using a disinfectant?

Follow the product instructions. Most ready‑to‑use dental disinfectants don’t require rinsing, but if pooling occurs or residue is visible, wipe dry after the contact time to protect surfaces.

7. How can I reduce chemical use without compromising cleanliness?

Use disposable protective barriers on high‑touch areas during patient care. This reduces the need for frequent chemical disinfection and helps preserve equipment surfaces.