How to Store Swimming Goggles Properly to Reduce Fogging and Scratches

A genuine swimming goggles can keep clear vision and stable watertightness for many months, even years, if used correctly. However, quite a few people experience their goggles becoming foggy, scratched, or losing their anti-fog capability after just a few weeks of use. Notably, the cause is often not the product quality, but comes from improper cleaning and storage habits.

In this article, Supersports will help you understand the structure of genuine swimming goggles, why the anti-fog layer is easily damaged, and how to clean and store them properly to extend the lifespan of your goggles.

Characteristics of Genuine Swimming Goggles

Genuine swimming goggles are not only different in design or brand but are also finished with specialized materials and technologies to ensure clear vision, high durability, and comfort when worn. Because multiple treatment layers are integrated onto the surface, the goggles also need to be cared for properly to maintain their effectiveness over time.

• Lens: Many genuine swimming goggle models use polycarbonate lenses, while some lines prioritize cellulose acetate material to increase wearing comfort. Regardless of which material is used, the lens still needs to be handled carefully to limit scratching and maintain clear vision.
• Silicone gasket hugging the eye socket: The silicone gasket helps the goggles hug the face closely, creating a seal and limiting water from getting in. If not cleaned and stored properly, the silicone can age quickly, reducing elasticity and making the goggles prone to leaking.
• Anti-Fog coating: Some genuine swimming goggle models from Speedo, Zoggs, and Nike Swim are coated with an Anti-Fog layer on the inner surface of the lens to limit water vapor condensation, helping maintain clear vision underwater. The inner surface of the lens may feel slightly slippery or lightly oily when new; this is a normal characteristic of the coating. Because the Anti-Fog layer is very thin, you should not touch it with your hands, wipe it with a cloth, or rub the inner surface of the lens, to avoid reducing the anti-fog effectiveness.

Why You Still Need to Clean Your Goggles Even When Swimming Only in a Pool?

Quite a few people think that goggles only need to be cleaned after swimming in the sea because of sand and salt water, while swimming in a pool means the water has already been treated so no rinsing is needed. In fact, pool water contains many agents that can affect the lifespan of the goggles if they are not cleaned after each use.

• Chlorine is a chemical commonly used to disinfect pool water. After swimming, a certain amount of chlorine remains on the surface of the lens and the silicone gasket.
  If not rinsed off, the remaining chlorine and chemicals can reduce the lifespan of the anti-fog coating over time, causing the goggles to lose their anti-fog ability faster than normal.
• Not only chlorine, but the skin around the eyes also secretes natural sweat and oil. If swimming outdoors, sunscreen can also stick to the silicone gasket during use.
  These substances accumulating over time will cause the silicone gasket to age quickly, reducing its elasticity and its ability to seal tightly against the face.
• Another common mistake is storing the goggles right away while still wet. A closed, damp environment easily allows mold and bacteria to grow, causing the goggles to develop an unpleasant smell and deteriorate faster.

So no matter where you swim, rinsing your goggles right after your swim session is mandatory, not optional. Below is the correct way to remove chlorine without accidentally damaging the anti-fog layer while rinsing.

How to Clean Properly After Every Swim

Cleaning properly helps remove chlorine, residue, and protects the anti-fog coating.

Rinse With Cold or Cool Water

Right after swimming, rinse the goggles under cold or cool running water to clean off the chlorine, salt water, and chemicals stuck on the surface.

Do not use hot water, as it can damage the anti-fog coating and cause the plastic and silicone to age faster.

Do Not Use Soap or Detergent

Only rinse with clean water. Soap and detergents can reduce the effectiveness of the Anti-Fog layer.

Do Not Touch or Wipe the Inner Surface of the Lens

Do not use your hands, tissue, or clothing to wipe the inner surface of the lens. Let it air-dry naturally to avoid losing the anti-fog coating.

Limit Contact Between the Lens and Hard Surfaces

When stored together with hard objects such as keys, zippers, or metal accessories, the lens surface can get scratched. After rinsing, let the goggles air-dry naturally in a clean place and store them in a dedicated case to limit impact.

Storing Swimming Goggles to Stay Durable and Avoid Mold

After cleaning properly, storage is also very important to keep the goggles lasting longer

Let the Goggles Air-Dry in the Shade

Let the goggles dry in a cool, airy place, away from direct sunlight and high heat sources such as a car trunk or a sun-exposed balcony. High temperatures can deform the frame, cause the silicone gasket to age quickly, and reduce the lifespan of the anti-fog coating.

Always Store the Goggles in a Dedicated Case

Once the goggles are completely dry, store them in a separate case to avoid impact and scratching. Do not keep them together with keys, water bottles, or other hard objects in a sports bag.

Do Not Store the Goggles While Still Wet

If you need to bring them home right after swimming, open the case slightly or take the goggles out to air-dry once you get home. Storing the goggles while still damp easily creates conditions for mold and bacteria to grow on the strap and silicone gasket.

Check the Goggles Regularly

If used infrequently, you should still check the goggles regularly to make sure they stay dry. At the same time, check the condition of the strap, gasket, and lens; if the anti-fog coating has worn off, the goggles are heavily scratched, or the strap has stretched, you should replace them with new goggles for a more comfortable and safer swim.

If you're still unsure where to buy genuine swimming goggles, Supersports is a suggestion worth starting with. As the official distributor of Speedo, Zoggs, and Nike Swim, offering a diverse range of goggles for easy comparison, along with a transparent exchange and return policy at both stores and the website Supersports.

Supersports is VIETNAM'S NO. 1 GENUINE SPORTS FOOTWEAR, APPAREL, AND ACCESSORIES RETAILER AND DISTRIBUTOR. The brand is under Central Retail Group - a leading retailer from Thailand.

Supersports owns a retail system with more than 30 famous sports brands such as: Nike, Adidas, Crocs, Puma... Among them, Supersports is the official and exclusive distributor of: Under Armour, HOKA, and Columbia. We are committed to bringing genuine, top-quality products to sports enthusiasts in Vietnam.