Swimming goggles are exposed to quite a lot during swimming. Chlorinated water, moisture, contact with your fingers and loose transport in your swim bag can affect the lenses and the anti-fog layer. A few simple habits after each swim can help prevent unnecessary wear.
The most important thing is to handle the inside of the lenses with care. Rinse your goggles after use, let them air-dry and only put them away once they are dry. Below, we explain step by step how to care for your swimming goggles properly.
Clean your swimming goggles after every swim
Rinse your swimming goggles with lukewarm water after swimming. This removes chlorine residue and other dirt that may have got onto the goggles during your swim.
Do not use soap, cleaning products or other detergents. These can damage the anti-fog layer on the inside of the lenses.
Also avoid wiping the inside of the lenses with a cloth, swim towel or your fingers. Even if you only want to remove a drop of water, this can damage the coating.
The simplest routine is therefore:
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Carefully rinse the goggles with lukewarm water.
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Shake off any excess water.
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Place the goggles in a dry spot.
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Let them air-dry completely.
This takes little time and prevents you from touching the lenses unnecessarily while cleaning them.
Protect the anti-fog layer on the inside
Fogged lenses are inconvenient during swimming. That is why many swimming goggles have an anti-fog layer on the inside of the lens to help reduce condensation.
This layer is sensitive. The most important care rule is therefore simple: touch the inside of the lenses as little as possible.
Rubbing with your fingers, a swim towel or a cloth can cause the coating to wear more quickly. Cleaning products are not necessary either. In most cases, rinsing with water and then allowing the goggles to air-dry is sufficient.
What should you do if your swimming goggles start to fog?
Even with proper care, the original anti-fog performance may decrease over time. You can then use an anti-fog spray for swimming goggles to apply a new anti-fog layer.
Always follow the instructions for use of the product you have chosen. The way an anti-fog product should be applied may vary from one product to another.
An anti-fog spray is mainly intended to support the anti-fog performance when the original coating starts to work less effectively. It remains important to handle the inside of the lenses with care.
Arena SWIPE swimming goggles are an exception
Different instructions apply to swimming goggles with Arena SWIPE Anti-Fog than to a standard anti-fog coating.
With ordinary swimming goggles, it is advisable not to touch the inside of the lenses. With Arena SWIPE swimming goggles, the anti-fog technology is specifically designed to be used according to the SWIPE method.
Do you have an Arena SWIPE model? Follow the instructions for this technology instead of the general rule for standard anti-fog coatings.
Always check which type of swimming goggles you have before touching the inside of the lenses.
Allow your swimming goggles to dry properly
After rinsing, your swimming goggles need time to dry completely.
Do not put wet goggles straight into a closed case. Let them air-dry outside the case first. This prevents the goggles from remaining damp in storage for a long period.
While they are drying, place them somewhere the lenses cannot slide across a hard or rough surface. The outside of the lenses may be less sensitive than the anti-fog coating on the inside, but scratches are still difficult to repair.
Also avoid leaving the goggles in direct sunlight unnecessarily. Once they are dry, it is best to store them safely.
Store your swimming goggles in a case
Loose swimming goggles in a sports bag can easily come into contact with, for example, a water bottle, kickboard, zips or other hard objects. This increases the risk of scratches.
A goggle case helps protect the lenses during transport and storage.
Let the goggles dry first before putting them in the case. The order is therefore:
rinse → dry → store.
It is a small habit, but one of the simplest ways to keep your swimming goggles in good condition.
Avoid these common mistakes
Proper care is mainly about what you do not do to the lenses.
Rubbing the inside dry
This is one of the most important things to avoid. Particularly with a standard anti-fog coating, you can damage the layer by rubbing the inside with your fingers or a cloth.
Therefore, allow water droplets to dry naturally.
Using soap or cleaning products
Swimming goggles do not need to be scrubbed thoroughly. Lukewarm water is sufficient for normal care after swimming.
Storing the goggles while wet
Let the goggles dry outside the case first. Only store them once the moisture has disappeared.
Placing the goggles loose in your swim bag
The lenses may then rub against or knock into other items. A separate case prevents direct contact with hard objects.
Treating every anti-fog layer in the same way
Check which type of swimming goggles you are using. A standard anti-fog coating should be treated differently from Arena's SWIPE technology.
A simple care routine
You do not need to clean your swimming goggles extensively after every training session. A simple and consistent routine is the most practical:
Rinse the goggles with lukewarm water after swimming, touch the inside of the lenses as little as possible and let them air-dry. Then store them in a protective case.
Do the goggles nevertheless start to fog more quickly over time? First check which type of anti-fog technology they use. With standard swimming goggles, an anti-fog spray may be a solution. With an Arena SWIPE model, follow the specific instructions for SWIPE Anti-Fog.
Careful maintenance reduces the risk of scratches and damage to the anti-fog layer, helping your swimming goggles remain comfortable to use for longer.