Tuesday, September 13, 2011

How to clean your swim goggles

Goggles SAVED!! super happy about this, I almost had to go buy a new pair.

** fyi** For me, this was a last-ditch effrot to clean my goggles or buy a new pair, so I had nothing to lose and tried it all. 
If you are at that point, this choice is up to you. I do not know much about goggles, coating, etc. Procede if you see fit. Thanks!** 

I do rinse and clean my goggles after each use, (pool and ocean) but over time this opaque cloudy stuff covered up my lens and I tried many remedies which did Not work, except One, which was 100% Sucessful!

The cloudy film is buildup from all the stuff in the water when you swim. What it is exactly, I don't know, but I'm sure somewhere on Google will have the exact answer.

The Cloudy Goggles



Methods that Didn't Work:


Method 1: Baby shampoo/gentle shampoo, scrub with sponge and fingers. (Didn't Work)
I think this method works well for maintenance, to prevent the cloudy build up, but if the cloudy build up is already there, this didn't do anything at all
No difference - notice how you cant see the bottle scrubber thru the lens



Method 2:  Toothpaste: I had high hopes, but this again didn't do anything at all.
No difference


Method 3:   Dishwashing Soap and baking soda: Nothing
No difference



Successful Method- VINEGAR!!

Method 4: Water and White vinegar. 
I soaked my goggles in hot water, and added some vinegar to it, about 4 or 5 tablespoons and had it soak for about 2 hours. Online people mentioned 50/50 water and vinegar, but I used less and it worked AMAZINGLY!! 


Directions: 
Step 1: Make a solution of Hot water + White Vinegar ( I used 4-5 tablespoons, but other people online used more, experiment and see what works for you)
Step 2: Soak the lens (I did 2 hours - experiment with the length of time for yours) 



So happy I don't have to buy a new pair of goggles. 

Side notes: 
1: After rinsing, My goggles did not smell. But if your's do, I'm sure the smell will dissipate in time as vinegar usually does. 
2: I do not know what this will do to goggle coatings, as mine did not have any. 
3: I attempted these methods as a last ditch effort because I was already prepared to buy new goggles, and I had nothing to lose. Please proceed at your discretion. 


Look how clean they are!


Notice how you can see the scrubber now as opposed to the picture in Method 1! 

The magic formula..





70 comments:

  1. Do you have a magic solution to make your goggles NOT fog up while swimming? I've tried the commercial brand liquid stuff from the sporting goods store but it doesn't really work. I think I need to stop taking them on an off when I use the kickboard, perhaps. I will remember the vinegar thing if I get buildup, thanks!

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  2. Hi Jill,

    Yea foggy goggles are a pain. I don't have a 100% method yet, but I'll keep searching around for one.

    I've tried the TYR goggle spray, that works ok, not the best but its better than without, and many times I lick them, (yea I know it sounds gross) and that works equally as well as the TYR spray. (thats probably why mine get so cloudy so fast - lol!)

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    Replies
    1. Try Quick Spit goggle fog remover. It works wonders!

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    2. Thanks for the tip! :) gonna check it out

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    3. Uhh.. You have to use anti-fog... Put on the anti-fog on the goggle and then dip it in the water.. After that, when you are swimming.. Don't take it off and dip in the water BCZ it will run out

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  3. If you apply the anti fog and then don't touch your lenses, the anti fog coating will last much longer. Also, using the brand of anti fog that aligns with the goggle can help a lot as well

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  4. Hye lily,

    I do have the same problem as yours. That cloudy thingy. And, im using an anti-fog goggles. After soaking it on the vinegar formula, does it somehow will effect the anti-fog layer of my goggles?

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  5. Hi Johnny,

    I'm not sure if the vinegar will remove the anti-fog coating.. But I do know there are some methods that do Use vinegar As an anti-fog coating.. so it might work for you..
    Anti-fog coating on goggles usually dont last forever and need to be re-coated again later, so it might just need a new coat if it does come off.

    If you're ready to toss out your old goggle to and its a last resort to save them, try it out and let us know if it works :-D


    Thanks!
    Lily

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  6. thank you so much, I will try vinegar... :)

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  7. AnonymousMay 18, 2013

    Hey Lily,
    I also had problems with my goggles, mildew developed at the joint of plastic and lenses and I used vinegar and a toothbrush. I was afraid it might hurt the goggles, but they are in tip top shiny shape!

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  8. Solve the foggy problem by buying anti fog.
    But! it will only last 3 hours and it will start to get foggy. I found the thing that prevents foggy goggles is the inner lens with some kind of lotion. So when you buy a pair of anti fog goggles, try to not let water get in to the inner lens too keep the lotion.

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  9. AnonymousJune 16, 2013

    Im a competitive swimmer, and it's hard to have goggles lasting a while. Im a big fan of Speedo Fastskin3 Elite goggles. i wash mine everytime i get out of the water and and put them back in ther case. :D

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  10. AnonymousJuly 10, 2013

    i only recently bought my goggles, but they have quickly developed the white cloudy film you describe. i will try this as soon as i can get some white vinegar. Thanks!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks! I hope it works for you :)

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  11. I tried the vinegar and water trick but does not work. Help!

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    Replies
    1. Try warmer water, and more vinegar, maybe a 50/50 solution, soak for a few hours and see if that helps.

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  12. I used 200 ml of hot water and 200 ml of white vinegar and soaked the goggles for 3 hours but the only thing I got was a lighter wallet from buying the bottle of vinegar

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  13. Sorry it didn't work for you. White vinegar should be the cheapest kind of vinegar on the market, a 1L bottle should be ~$1.
    The goggles do get to a point in their life where they're beyond aid and need to be replaced. It could be the case for you. On the next pair try regular maintenance with soap and the vinegar solution and it should prolong the life of your goggles.

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    Replies
    1. Ok thanks! Not too sure why it did not work. The goggles are less then 6 months old.

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    2. Probably cuz ur a cheapskate and you get what you pay for

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    3. AnonymousJune 13, 2018

      lol dam

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  14. Thanks a lot man:) It absolutely works.. After applying vinegar and washing it, the smudge was not gone, I thought this is also one more futile attempt, but after wiping it with a cotton cloth by applying some pressure, smudge is gone. Thanks for the tip again.

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    Replies
    1. Hi Dileep, Thanks I'm so glad it worked for you! Originally I thought it would be a futile attempt too, but I figured if I have to buy a new pair, might as well experiment with this one. :) hehe

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  15. do you have to scrub them or just simply rinse it off and that's it?

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    Replies
    1. Hi, I didn't have to scrub them, when I lifted them out of the solution they were clean, but other readers mentioned they had to rub it a little bit to get the cloudy stuff off, but they did have successful results.

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  16. Many thanks - this was a good post

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    Replies
    1. You're very welcome. thank you for stopping by. :)

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  17. Replies
    1. You're very welcome! Thanks for reading.

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  18. It worked! Stumbled across your blog and attempted your suggestion. Thank you.

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  19. I did the vinegar wash as suggested. Strangely, the lens' became darker, almost like they were polarized. Any reason why this happened?
    They did clean up well, though. Thank you!

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  20. Goggles fog due to temperature difference between the goggle and the face or the anti-fog coating has gone due to mold. Always rinse & hang your goggles to dry after using. Buy a new pair - don't wait for 5 yrs! Fogging can occur if you generate a lot of body heat during your workout. 3 or 4 laps in and you are in a fog! Not much will help...imo. Swim shop Manager.

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  21. Thanks Lily, the vinegar soon worked really well. Soaked for 2 hrs. Tried all sorts before. You saved an expensive pair of goggles about to be binned.

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  22. AnonymousMay 25, 2015

    Hi, I came across this and have ordered some white vinegar to my shopping order to try tomorrow. My son has prescription goggles which cost £40 and have gone foggy so I shall be delighted if this works and will report back!

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  23. AnonymousMay 27, 2015

    Well I have come back with a sad heart to report it didn't work in our case :-(
    I tried twice the second time using 50:50 solution and warm water each time but no joy. Am going to stick to non prescription ones now! Thanks for posting though!

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  24. Run Lily one question. How do you dry your goggles after the process? I do not want to scratch the glass. Thank you !!

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  25. Run Lily one question. How do you dry your goggles after the process? I do not want to scratch the glass. Thank you !!

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    Replies
    1. Hi, I normally just hang dry.
      Thanks

      Delete
  26. AnonymousJune 15, 2015

    Thanks!

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  27. Hi lily ,

    Did just soaked it or you rub it too? I tried this warm water and vinegar , but didn't work:( I just soaked it coz I was told at the store to never or avoid rubbing the goggles:(

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Maria,
      I only soaked them and it came out really good. Some readers didn't have success with the vinegar. :( sorry your might have fallen into that category too. I think the brand/type of goggles and maybe the location with different minerals and such in the water could be a big factor.
      Thanks

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    2. Excuse me, can you please explain the cleaning process to me, cause I really don't understand... You put them in hot water, and after that you pour vinegar onto the inside of the lenses? And after that?

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  28. Hey, i don't have vinegar but i have apple-cidar vinegar will that work
    and wouldn't it have the strong vinegar smell ?

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  29. Hey, i don't have vinegar but i have apple-cidar vinegar will that work
    and wouldn't it have the strong vinegar smell ?

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  30. I agree with Anonymous, I gave up on vinegar.. "Quick Spit" (tm), works the best for getting ocean scum off the goggles (even though it is marketed as an anti fog product),

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  31. for those who have tried the vinegar method and failed. soak up your goggles to only vinegar without water. leave it for 10 20 minutes and rinse in water. thiw is a hard solution for persistent problem.

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  32. hi lily

    would this solution work with fastskin 3 elite goggles because it has the film in it and i don't know if this solution would fix it
    thx bud

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    Replies
    1. Thats also what I am trying to do. These damn goggles have a blurry film on the inside since purchase and it's very very annoying. Nothing I do will make it go away...

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    2. Hi, I'm not sure.
      For me, this was a last-dtich effort for the goggles, before buying new ones, so there was nothing to lose.

      Delete
  33. good thing is buy good one ( made in USA or Jap ) and get fogy using good solution.

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  34. Vinegar trick worked like a charm on my forgotten-for-5years swimming goggles!

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    Replies
    1. How do you clean them with Vinegar can you tell me the process? You put the in hot water and then after that you pour vinegar from the bottle on the inside of the lenses? Thanks

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  35. How do you actually clean the goggles with vinegar? Do you put them in hot water, let them sit there for a while and then just pour vinegar on the inside of the goggle or you mix the vinegar with the water? :D I know this is an old post sorry :D

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  36. How do you actually clean the goggles with vinegar? Do you put them in hot water, let them sit there for a while and then just pour vinegar on the inside of the goggle or you mix the vinegar with the water? :D I know this is an old post sorry :D

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    Replies
    1. I just soaked them for 2 hours in a solution of hot water and 4-5 tablespoons of white vinegar, but you can use more vinegar.

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  37. As I was in a hurry I tried using Windolene wipes (available from all the main supermarkets). Worked a treat!

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  38. Just used about a 60/40 water to white vinegar on my daughter's 6 month old speedos. I could literally seem film lifting from them within a minute, then gently helped it a long with a cotton bud. Boiling water from the kettle into a deep pie dish, then half as much vinegar. Still only been soaking for 30 minutes but it is almost all gone. Be sure to use boiling water too. Are those failing using a glass/ceramic container? I wonder if using a plastic dish might affect how well it works. And throw the solution down drain or onto garden weeds. Kills dandelions a treat!

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  39. Really very interesting and very valuable information about the swimming goggles nice work.

    sports goggles

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    Replies
    1. AnonymousJuly 30, 2017

      A drop of baby shampoo mixed with water works great for me. I hang the goggles in the water while getting ready for my swim to acclimate the temp, then never take them off till done, unless a problem. If I take them off, I rinse with pool water and never touch inside or out.

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  40. i try scrubber with water..is make it worst...so i try to find any info about how to clean it...is kinda work like magic with vinegar and hot water ^^ thank you so much!

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  41. What if you didn't have white vinegar but have apple cider vinager. Will the result be the same?

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  42. Just use Nail polish remover. It worked for me.

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  43. Very informative and impressive post you have written, this is quite interesting. Keep sharing such valuable information.



    prescription swim goggles

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  44. Swimming goggles are specialized goggles that keep eyes protected and ensure visibility when you’re under the water. Whether the water is dirty or clean, it won’t affect your eyes, putting on the goggles. you can visit my site Authority Beast

    ReplyDelete