Ultimate Guide to Cleaning and Caring for Your Swimming Goggles.
Goggles protect your eyes from irritation from chlorine & saltwater. Neglecting to protect your goggles from chlorine or saltwater, causes damage and wear to your goggles. The most troubling part is that it always happens without warning, at the most inconvenient times.
Chlorine and saltwater affect lenses as well as silicone and rubber such as the strap and gaskets of the goggle. They turn stiff and brittle over time, resulting in the strap snapping, and gaskets losing its ability to mould to your face. You will start to notice this when you feel the water is leaking into your goggles.
In addition, oil and sunscreen from your face are also contributing factors for trapped dirt in your goggles if you do not thoroughly wash them.
Guide to cleaning your goggles.
- Do not use soap or detergent with strong chemicals/abrasive as they can affect the goggle’s lenses and make it appear cloudy. Use a mild liquid soap such as dishwashing soap or baby shampoo to clean your swimming goggles. 2.
- Soak the goggles in this soapy mixture for an hour or so, then rinse under plenty of fresh tap water, until you get rid of all the traces of soap. 3.
- Make sure you clean everything, the debris from the crevices of the goggle strap. If you can remove the goggle straps, it just makes the whole process easier.
Guide to caring for your goggles.
- Never scrub your goggles too, as they will damage and remove the membrane coating of the anti-fog, causing scratches to the lenses. Instead, you could dab them gently with a microfiber lint-free cloth to remove excess moisture or if they are clouding up.
- Don’t rub your fingers or a towel on the lenses, as they will leave debris and oil from your skin, as the anti-fog coating membrane layer is quite thin on the inside of the lens.
- Allow your goggles to drip dry after cleaning. Let your goggles dry in a well-ventilated area and ensure it is thoroughly dry before storing them. Avoid leaving them outside or near the window as prolonged exposure to UV can damage the silicone.
- Store your goggles in the box or bag they came in. Don’t leave them to hang on the windscreen mirror, nor in a warm humid place such as the car boot for a while. Damp and humid places result in mould and straps will lose elasticity.