How To Prevent Swim Goggles From Fogging Up

Every serious swimmer experiences the irritation of foggy goggles. Not only is it as annoying as running with a pebble in your shoe, but it is also a strategic disadvantage--you can't see your competitors gaining on you, and you can't see how far it is to the wall or, if you're open-water swimming, to the next buoy. While many swimmers insist that fog in your goggles is an indication that it's time to get new goggles, other swimmers try to extend the life of their goggles with different methods of preventing foggy goggles.

Step 1

Dilute baby shampoo with water by a 3-to-1 or 4-to-1 water-to-shampoo ratio and squirt the solution in your eye cups the night before you swim so the solution has time to dry and coat the lens properly. Others squirt the full-strength shampoo directly onto their goggles just minutes before plunging in. If you use this method, rinse the goggles before putting them on, even if you're using the "no tears" brand of shampoo.

Step 2

Use commercial defoggers, found in many sporting goods stores that sell swimming goggles. Some swimmers swear by these spray products, while some have found them ineffective.

Step 3

Wash out your fog-prone swimming goggles with a cleaning solution such as Formula 409. Do not get water inside the eyepiece because it will mix with the cleaner and sting your eyes.

Step 4

Squirt a little spot-free dish soap, then wash it out and to create a film inside that discourages fogging. Some swimmers use the liquid soap found in most locker rooms.

Step 5

Do nothing to the goggles. Take a few seconds after you jump in the water to let you and your goggles cool off. The fog is caused by condensation, which is caused by the heat from your body. Let your goggles adjust to the water temperature before putting them on.

Tips and Warnings

Know when it is time to retire your goggles. Scratches, leaks and chronic fogging are sure signs you should get new goggles. Some swimmers use a tried-and-true practice of simply spitting in or licking the inside of their goggles before a race or workout and rinsing them off before putting them on. They smear the moisture around with a finger or their tongue.
Protecting your eyes while swimming is important because chlorinated water can be very irritating to your eyes.