When you have worn your goggles for some time, you realize that your lenses tend to fog and work feels more challenging and inefficient. For many people, this is a frustrating occurrence as fogging can inhibit their vision and affect the efficacy of their work. However, protective eyewear is essential in many fields and jobs that work in dangerous conditions. Fret not, as with every issue, there is a fitting solution that can make this occurrence less frequent. In this article, we share with you some tips and tricks you can use to prevent your eyewear from fogging.
Why Does Your Eyewear Fog?
Condensation is what causes your eyewear to fog up. This is caused by the disparity in temperature between the back of the lenses and the surrounding exterior air. This is also common when you move from one environment to another with a major shift in temperature rapidly. For instance, when you move from the warm and humid outdoors to an air-conditioned room, the difference in temperature causes water vapor to form.
This also happens when natural warmth emanates from your face, and contrasts with the cooler temperature of the surrounding air. In this case, the temperature gradient also causes condensation on the eyewear. This, in conjunction with natural perspiration in warmer environments or labor-intensive jobs, can cause water vapor to form on your lenses, which will lead to your eyewear fogging up.
How to Keep Eyewear Clean
While many goggles claim to be fog-resistant, you will realize that many tend to fog up faster the more you use them. A layer of anti-fog solution is usually applied to the eyewear during the manufacturing process. However, this layer will become thinner and less effective with frequent use and time. This might also be a good time to inspect your goggles for any potential damages that may be causing your lenses to fog up faster than usual.
The basic rule of thumb is to clean them regularly and thoroughly. While you may not know it, the way you have been maintaining your eyewear could also be the cause of your lenses fogging up so quickly. Therefore, these are some of the practices you should follow when cleaning your eyewear:
- Before cleaning, blow off any particles that could cause micro-scratches on the lenses.
- Use only a microfiber cloth to clean the lenses, as wiping them with your shirt or any other fabric could cause scratches.
- Clean under cold running water with a gentle cleanser. Once done, use a paper towel and gently dab dry.
- Spray a cleaning solution and wipe the interior and exterior of the lenses thoroughly to remove any remaining smudges and debris.
- When storing your eyewear, be sure to keep in its appropriate storage casing under optimum conditions. This is essential to preserving the lenses’ longevity, durability, and quality.
How to Make Your Own Eyewear Anti-Fog Solution
Once you have mastered caring for and maintaining your eyewear properly, you can now look towards purchasing an anti-fog solution. According to research, soap molecules and alcohol from hand sanitizers can form a transparent, protective coating that prevents fogging.
If you are looking to save a few extra bucks, you can choose to make your own DIY solution using a few tried-and-tested methods that have worked for many people. However, to be completely safe, you should always check with your eyewear manufacturer’s instructions to see if you should avoid any specific substance.
These are some ways you can make your own eyewear anti-fog solution:
- Rubbing alcohol: Mix ¼ cup of water with ¼ cup of rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle and add a drop of Dawn dish soap. Shake the bottle, spray the lenses with the solution, and clean with a microfiber cloth.
- Vinegar: Pour 1/3 cup of distilled water into a spray bottle and fill the rest of the bottle with vinegar. Spray the lenses with the solution and dry them with a microfiber cloth. This is an effective way to clean grime while providing a layer of anti-fog coating.
- Witch Hazel: Mix ½ cup distilled with ½ cup witch hazel, and add two drops of Dawn dish soap into a spray bottle. Spray the solution on the lenses and wipe it down with a microfiber cloth. This is a great alternative if you don’t have alcohol on hand.
The information on this page was obtained through common use sources on the internet and is not validated or endorsed by ExFog®. ExFog® is not liable for any damages resulting in the use of the above content.
Invest in Advanced Air-Fog Technology with ExFog®
While these anti-fog methods are worth looking into, it is likely that their effects are temporary and will wear off in time. A permanent anti-fog solution is more cost-effective and productive in the long run. At ExFog®, we have designed a permanent anti-fog technology that can be custom mounted to any headgear and is suited for any full-seal goggles.
With a variable speed control fan system, our ExFog® technology will regulate the temperature in the goggles to eliminate any fog formation. The device is made with a lightweight, high-strength polycarbonate design to ensure comfortable wearability while extending its durability and longevity. The ExFog® also has a rechargeable battery, where you can conveniently charge it up using a micro-USB.
For more information about our ExFog® system, please do not hesitate to contact us today!
References:
Betts, J. L. (n.d.). Best DIY Eyeglass Cleaner recipes. LoveToKnow. Retrieved January 21, 2022, from https://cleaning.lovetoknow.com/cleaning-tips/best-diy-eyeglass-cleaner-recipes
Bolle Safety. (n.d.). The fog phenomenon explained: Bollé Safety. The fog phenomenon explained | Bollé Safety. Retrieved January 21, 2022, from https://www.bollesafety.com.au/page/the-fog-phenomenon-explained
Nurs, J Emerg (2020). Prevention of Fogging of Protective Eyewear for Medical Staff During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Journal of emergency nursing, 46(5), 564–566. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jen.2020.05.003
uvex. (n.d.). How to clean your safety glasses? How to Clean Your Safety Eyewear | Glasses Cleaning Tips. Retrieved January 21, 2022, from https://www.uvex-safety.com.au/en/knowledge/more-information/safety-glasses-cleaning-tips/
