Swim goggles are an everyday accessory in swimming. Partakers in the sport use goggles to protect their eyes and enhance their vision while submerged in water. This is because the chemicals present in the water tend to irritate the eyes resulting in blurred vision and affecting the swimmer’s efficiency underwater. If the chemicals are too much in the water body, it could severely damage the eyes.
Key Takeaways
- Rinse after every use
- Use baby shampoo – Do NOT use detergents
- Rinse again
- Leave to air dry
In the early times, the Persians used polished tortoise shells to protect the eyes while swimming. But over the years, the trend changed, and then came high-quality swimming goggles. The introduction of swim goggles enhances the swimmer’s ability while giving his eyes the maximum protection needed.
Thus, the swim goggle is an essential accessory for swimmers, especially in competitive events. These swim goggles, however, can be damaged if not properly maintained.
Because the goggles are constantly exposed to chlorine and other chemicals in the water, it gets dirty eventually. And if not adequately cared for, it can easily result in damage to the goggles.
This article highlights ways to care for the different types of swim goggles properly without causing any damage to the goggles.
How To Clean Swim Goggles
There are two different types of swim goggles: the anti-fog goggles and the plain swim goggles. And the maintenance of these goggles is of critical importance to avoid them getting damaged at an unwanted time. Here are some practical ways to take care of them properly without causing any damage to the goggles.
1. Use well-fitted swim goggles: One of the reasons why goggles quickly get dirty is because they do not fit properly, giving room for particles to gather at the eyecups of the goggles. Using fitted goggles will go a long way to help avoid this incident.
2. Rinse goggles after every swim: To avoid molds forming, rinse the goggles in cold running water after every swim. This prevents the gathering of dirt and ensures that there are no residue chemicals that can cause damage.
3. Avoid using soaps, detergents, or any strong chemicals while cleaning: When cleaning swim goggles, do not use soaps, detergents, or any chemicals to clean as this may cause the glasses to get cloudy. Always use mild liquid soap or baby shampoo when cleaning the goggles.
4. Rinse goggles under tap water: Using running tap water to rinse the goggles thoroughly will help eliminate lathes. If possible, remove the goggle straps and rinse properly.
5. Avoid rubbing the goggles with your fingers: The goggles’ lens could get foggy or cloudy due to rubbing. Scratches from nails, scrubbers, or loofah could also damage the lens.
6. Use a mixture of vinegar and lime juice: Soaking the goggles in the mixture of vinegar and lime juice allows the vinegar to absorb dirt from the goggles while the lime juice dissolves the dirt, and the result is a clean goggle.
7. Air dry: Exposure to sunlight causes the goggles to be brittle. Hence, always dry the goggles away from the sun but also in a well-ventilated area. Do not store while wet to avoid mold.
Bottom Line
Clean swim goggles are essential to a swimmer’s health and experience. Thus, it is crucial to develop a habit of rinsing goggles after every swim and cleaning goggles at least once every week. Also, it is vital to avoid scratch or sunlight damage to the goggles by storing them when dry in the goggle case. Avoid the temptation of throwing them into the bag carelessly.
Proper care for swim goggles not only keeps the goggles clean but also helps give them a longer lifespan while enabling the swimmer to give his best in the pool. Visit the OutdoorWorld Reviews homepage for more expert information & advice.