If you get a speck of dust or a smudge of dirt on your glasses, just take them off, give them a quick clean with the corner of your shirt, and they’re good as new.
But when your ski goggles have the same issue and you’re bombing down the mountainside at 20 MPH, you can’t simply whip them off and give them a scrub.
So, how do you clean your goggles, and how do you prevent them from getting dirty and foggy in the first place?
How Do You Clean Snowboard Goggles?
Snowboard goggles are tough and durable. They are built for the slopes, after all. But they use fragile lenses and coatings and must be treated with care.
Keep the following tips in mind when cleaning your snowboard goggles.
Don’t Use Just Anything
You can’t clean your goggles with any old products and tools. Improper cleaning could damage the anti-fog coating and even scratch the lenses, rendering those goggles useless.
Refrain from using chemical cleaners and paper towels and stock up on microfiber cloths!
Be Careful with the Interior Lens
The inside of the lens is very fragile, as it contains the anti-fog coating and if you apply too much pressure or scrub too vigorously you could scrub it away.
Avoid cleaning the inside of the lens if you can. In fact, you should refrain from touching it at all, as you could leave fingerprints and other smudges on the lens.
Dry Them
Most of the time, your goggles just need to dry.
Use a microfiber cloth to wipe away water droplets without damaging the lenses.
Alternatively, let them air dry and then check to see if there are any pieces of dirt or grit that need to be cleaned away afterward.
Clean the Outer Lens
If drying the goggles won’t suffice and they need a good clean, moisten part of a microfiber cloth, clean the outer lens, and then dry the lenses with the dry part of the cloth.
Water should be enough to remove most smudges.
Protect Them
When your goggles are not in use, keep them in a goggle bag, and when you’re handing them, use gloves or avoid touching the inner lens with your fingers.
How to Clean Your Goggles on the Slopes
To clean goggles on the slopes, first, give them a gentle shake to remove excess snow and moisture.
Dab the remaining moisture away with a soft cloth, such as a microfiber cloth. Don’t rub them, don’t scrub, and don’t worry about getting them 100% dry, as the wind will do the rest.
How Do You Clean Snowboard Goggle Foam?
The frames used on ski goggles are moisture-wicking, but if you don’t regularly air dry them, that moisture can build up and lead to bad smells.
To clean the foam frames, add a few drops of dish soap to warm water and scrub lightly.
You’ll need to avoid touching the interior lens during this time, so consider removing the lenses entirely.
Once you have cleaned the frames, wait for them to air dry and they should be good to go again.
How to Prevent Your Ski Goggles Fogging
Prevention is better than cure, so how do you make sure ski and snowboard goggles don’t get dirty in the first place?
Here are a few things you can do:
1. Buy A Quality Pair of Goggles
The first step to avoid fogging is to choose a good pair of goggles. Look for a pair with a double lens, plenty of vents, and an anti-fog coating.
The anti-fog coating helps to prevent condensation from forming which means that water droplets are more likely to run away than form into a dense fog.
Most goggles promote anti-fog coatings and other promising features, but only the best ones deliver, so do your research and read some user reviews.
2. Choose a Helmet with Good Ventilation
A good helmet will keep you from overheating and should reduce fogging in your goggles.
Look for a helmet that is comfortable and protective while also containing lots of vents for maximum ventilation.
3. Keep the Vents Clear
Make sure the vents on your goggles and helmet are completely free of snow. This will allow them to do their job and ensure they are working at maximum efficiency.
4. Don’t Put Them On Your Helmet
Refrain from moving the goggles to your helmet, as they will absorb all of the heat and moisture and could fog.
5. Buy a Second Pair of Ski Goggles
It helps to have a backup pair of snowboard goggles on hand for when your main pair is too fogged and you don’t have time to dry them and clean them.
If you’re on a limited budget, the idea of buying a second pair of ski goggles you might never use probably seems a little excessive. But if you’re skiing regularly, they can make a big difference and there are some very affordable ski goggles out there.
6. Reapply the Anti-Fog Coating (or buy a new pair!)
If you’re following all of the tips above and your goggles are still fogging, it could be time to reapply the anti-fog coating.
There are a number of spray treatments you can buy and these work very well.
Alternatively, just buy some new goggles and take good care of them.
Summary: How to Clean Your Lenses
The next time that your lenses get dirty or foggy, remember:
- Always use a microfiber cleaning cloth
- When using a wet microfiber cloth, dab and don’t wipe
- Store goggles in a goggle bag when they are not in use
- Avoid touching the inside of the lens as you could damage them
- Try to air dry first, as the issue might be moisture-related
- Don’t use paper towels and chemical cleaners
- Be careful not to rub dirt into the lenses
You can also check the manufacturer’s instructions for specific information about your goggles. Most manufacturers provide you with this information and will tell you what type of cloth you should be using and whether or not they recommend any cleaning solutions.
