Swimming goggles go through quite a lot during a swim. Chlorinated water, moisture, contact with your fingers and being loose in your swim bag can all affect the lenses and anti-fog coating. 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 store them once they are dry. Below, we explain step by step how to look after your swimming goggles.
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 coating on the inside of the lenses.
Do not wipe the inside of the lenses with a cloth, towel or your fingers either. Even if you only want to wipe away a drop of water, you could damage the coating.
The simplest routine is therefore:
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Rinse the goggles gently 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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Allow them to air-dry completely.
It takes very little time and prevents you from touching the lenses unnecessarily while cleaning them.
Protect the anti-fog coating on the inside
Fogged-up lenses are frustrating when you are swimming. That is why many swimming goggles have an anti-fog coating on the inside of the lens, which helps to reduce condensation.
This coating is sensitive. The most important care rule is simple: touch the inside of the lenses as little as possible.
Rubbing with your fingers, a towel or a cloth can make the coating wear out more quickly. Cleaning products are not needed either. Rinsing with water and then allowing the goggles to air-dry is usually enough.
What should you do if your swimming goggles start to fog up?
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 coating.
Always follow the instructions for use of the product you choose. The way an anti-fog product is applied can 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 is still important to handle the inside of the lenses carefully.
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 best 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 rather than 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 helps prevent the goggles from being stored in damp conditions for a long time.
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.
Do not leave the goggles in direct sunlight unnecessarily either. 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 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.
Make sure the goggles are dry 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. Especially with a standard anti-fog coating, you can damage the coating by rubbing the inside with your fingers or a cloth.
Allow drops of water to dry naturally instead.
Using soap or cleaning products
Swimming goggles do not need to be scrubbed thoroughly. Lukewarm water is enough for normal care after swimming.
Storing the goggles while they are wet
Let the goggles dry outside the case first. Only store them once the moisture has gone.
Putting the goggles loose in your swim bag
The lenses could rub against or knock into other items. A separate case prevents direct contact with hard objects.
Treating every anti-fog coating in the same way
Check which type of swimming goggles you are using. A standard anti-fog coating is cared for 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 usually the easiest to follow:
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 start to fog up 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.
With careful maintenance, you can reduce the risk of scratches and damage to the anti-fog coating, helping your swimming goggles stay comfortable to use for longer.