The Ultimate Guide to Cleaning & Maintaining Swim Goggles

Dirty goggles are the fastest way to ruin a good swim. Clear goggles are a crucial part of swimming fast and safely—they assist you in timing your flip turns properly, help you avoid wayward swimmers, and prevent your eyes from becoming bloodshot and scratchy after a long session.

You should take care of your swim goggles just as much as they take care of you! Whether you’re hitting the local lap pool or preparing for a triathlon, here is our step-by-step guide on how to properly clean and maintain your swimming goggles:

1. Rinse with Cold Water After Swimming

The fastest way to keep your goggles clear is to give them a quick rinse the second you get out of the pool. Fresh, cool water flushes out pool chemicals, salt, and water-borne bacteria that can lead to mold growth in the gaskets. This is a super easy habit that drastically extends their lifespan.

2. Use a High-Quality Anti-Fog Spray

While many goggles come with a factory anti-fog coating, it naturally fades over time. Faded lenses often look “dirty,” but they have really just lost their protective layer. Swim goggle anti-fog sprays are affordable, highly effective, and essential for keeping your vision crystal clear.

3. Let the Goggles Air Dry

Mold and bacteria love dark, damp environments. Before you toss your goggles into the dark abyss of your swim bag for the ride home, give them a moment to “breathe” and dry properly. Air drying is the best defense against unpleasant smells and mold.

4. Avoid Touching the Inside of the Lenses

Resist the urge to swipe the inside of your lenses with your fingers! The anti-fog coating is delicate and easily wiped away. Furthermore, the natural oils from your fingertips will smudge and contaminate the inside of the lens.

5. Store Away from Direct Sunlight

While modern silicone gaskets and straps are more durable than old-school latex, they are still susceptible to long-term UV degradation. Leaving them in the hot sun will eventually cause the silicone to become brittle, leading to snapped straps and leaky gaskets. (Read more on how to maintain goggles for long-term use here).

6. Clean Moldy Goggles with Vinegar

If you accidentally left your goggles in your bag for a week and they’ve started to smell, don’t throw them away just yet. Let them soak for 60 to 120 minutes in a bowl of lukewarm water mixed with a splash of white vinegar. Vinegar is a fantastic natural antibacterial and antifungal agent that will zap them back to cleanliness. It’s also one of the best ways to stop goggles from fogging up.