There’s nothing quite like a brand new pair of goggles fresh out of the box! The lenses are super clear, the colors are bright, and the seal is just right. After a couple dozen trips back and forth to the pool or lake in the bottom of your swim bag, though, they can start to look old and neglected.
Whether you're looking to clean up an older pair of goggles or care for a new pair the right way from the start, we can help!
Here are our top tips for getting the most yardage out of your goggle investment by preventing fogging, and keeping lens scratches and mold growth at bay.
Before Swimming
Apply anti-fog solution
Nothing can ruin a swim session faster than goggles that just won’t stay clear. Most new goggles come with an anti-fog coating, but over time, that coating will wear off. New or old, we recommend frequently giving your goggles a light coating of baby shampoo so you never have to worry about them fogging up.
Before every swim, we apply a thin layer of diluted baby shampoo using the DIY anti-fog solution applicator tube and we're good to go!
Why we like the applicator tube:
- Diluted baby shampoo is great at keeping swim goggle lenses from fogging up and won’t hurt your eyes
- The tube’s soft applicator tip won’t scratch your lenses if it is used with a light touch
- Avoiding touching your goggles with your fingers prevents scratches, and keeps oils off the inside of your lenses
Other things you can try:
- If the antifog coating is still intact, dipping your goggles into the water is typically enough to disperse any fog that accumulates as you swim.
- Many people like to lick the insides of their lenses. We found that this method actually works really well in a survey of over 100 triathletes.
After swimming
Rinse goggles with clear water and air dry
No matter what kind of water you swim in, your goggles will benefit from a quick rinse with clear tap water after use to prevent any build-up of chemicals, salt, and debris. You may find that your goggle straps benefit from a gentle wash with baby shampoo now and then.
Once your goggles are clean, allow them to air dry. Do not wipe them dry.
Why we like air-drying:
- Wiping your goggles with a beach towel or a microfiber cloth that you might use on glasses can do permanent damage to the antifog coating
- Wiping can also be abrasive to the exterior coating of your goggles
- Thoroughly drying your goggles after each swim is the best way to avoid mold from growing on them over time
Thoroughly dry your swim goggles to prevent mold
Even if you’re careful to take wet items like towels out of your swim bag so that your swim gear is generally dry, that may not be enough to keep your goggles from becoming moldy over time.
We highly recommend hanging your goggles to dry in a well-ventilated dry area to prevent mold growth. We like to alternate between two pairs of goggles by week: swim with one pair while the other pair hangs up to dry for one week.
If you're seeing mold on your goggles, don't worry - there's still hope! Some people recommend using diluted white vinegar for cleaning moldy goggles. While this may work for exposed parts, it may not penetrate well into all parts of the Snake & Pig Basilisk gasket.
To clean your Basilisks thoroughly, here is what we recommend:
- Remove the gaskets from the frames.
- Clean the gaskets and frames with an old toothbrush using diluted white vinegar or baby shampoo until no mold is visible.
- Allow the parts to dry for a day before reassembling them.
This video shows how to take a pair of Snake & Pig Basilisk goggles apart for a thorough cleaning.
Click here to see how to take the Junior Basilisk goggles apart.
Prevent scratches with a goggle case in your swim bag
After your goggles are dry, don’t just toss them into your swim bag if you want to keep them looking their best! A well-ventilated, clean, soft goggle case like this one is the best choice to transport your goggles. Using a hard plastic case may result in the case itself scratching your goggles.
Why we like our soft foam goggle case:
- It’s got lots of small holes to keep your goggles well ventilated
- It’s soft on the exterior of your goggles to minimize the risk of scratches
- There’s room for a few accessories
How to care for swimming goggles - "Just the Facts Ma'am"
Want to prevent scratches on the inside of your goggle lenses?
- Never wipe the inside of your goggles with a microfiber cloth or towel
- Avoid touching the insides of your goggles with your finger
- Utilize a soft or no-touch anti-fog strategy like the Snake & Pig applicator, anti-fog spray, or licking
Want to prevent scratches on the mirrored coating of your goggles?
- Use a soft case when transporting your goggles instead of tossing them into your swim bag.
- Avoid wiping them with a towel or microfiber cloth. Rinse them clean or wash with a gentle soap instead.
Want to keep your swim goggles from getting moldy?
- Rinse with clear water after each use
- Air-dry thoroughly
- Store your goggles in a well-ventilated place with low humidity
- Alternate between two pairs of goggles weekly
Need to remove mold from your swim goggles?
- Take your goggles apart (if necessary and/or possible)
- Clean frames and gaskets with an old toothbrush and baby shampoo or diluted white vinegar
- Allow all parts to dry completely for a day before reassembling
(Photo credit @behappy.bepresent.livetoday)
