Abstract: A medical instrument holding assembly for improved pre-sterilization cleaning with or without lubrication of the instruments is provided. The medical instrument holding assembly includes a coil or a series of plates defining instrument receiving gaps, opposing support ends, a perforated retracting member that maintains the instruments in an open position so that cleaning can reach the hard to reach areas of the instrument, and restraint bands for holding the instruments in the medical instrument holding assembly during handling. The method is also included for improved pre-sterilization cleaning using the medical instrument holding assembly.