- Foggy goggles is one of the most
annoying things about swimming.
And there's so many myths out there
as to how to stop this happening.
- Yeah, you may well have heard of using saliva,
buying special solutions, or rinsing out in water,
and so many more.
But which ones really work?
- Well, to test it out, we've come down to a busy teen bath
to find the best way to keep your goggles clear.
But before we get started,
why does it happen in the first place?
- Well I think it's time we did a bit of GTN does science.
- So when the temperature of your goggle lens is colder
than the air that's between your eye and your goggle,
basically moisture will form
and then it condenses on the lens causing the fogging.
So goggle manufacturers have addressed this with an anti-fog
system, but it does run out after a while.
- So let's see if any of these methods
prevent that condensation.
(playful music)
First up, keeping them dry.
Now actually, a lot of goggles come ready coated in an
anti-fog, and I know it's a bit of a luxury,
but for that reason, I'd actually opt for a brand new
set of goggles for a lot of my races
just to prevent them from fogging up mid race.
And if they fit well, shouldn't actually be any water
going in whilst you're swimming.
Now goggles do come in a different degree of anti-fog,
so do check that before you buy them.
So today, I'm gonna try a brand new set of goggles
and completely dry.
(upbeat music)
As expected, a brand new set of goggles, they were great.
Now I was in quite a luxurious position before to get
an endless supply of goggles through sponsors,
but we're not all in that position.
Buying a new set of goggles all the time is quite costly.
So, looking after them and keeping them dry is a really
good option and will prolong the anti-fog life.
But that is easier said than done.
You really do need to look after them.
So for that reason, I'm gonna give it a four out of five.
- Using toothpaste is a little bit left field,
but I've actually read rumours that it does work.
So I'm gonna give it a try,
and what's the worst that can happen?
Surely it's gonna clean my goggles
and at least they'll be smelling nice.
(playful music)
Okay, it took a little bit of time to get all of the
toothpaste out from my goggle lens, but afterwards,
they smell really good and the lens is really clear.
The few legs that I've swam now, I can see amazingly well.
Although having spoken to a few people,
it only lasts a couple of swims.
And it's also worth baring in mind that any anti-fog
that might have already been in your goggles,
the toothpaste will remove,
'cause it's an abrasive-type paste.
So with that in mind, I'm gonna give it a three out of five.
(upbeat rock music)
- Next up, saliva.
Now luckily, we don't see too many swimmers
spitting on poolside, but are they missing a trick here?
It's actually, unfortunately, a bit of a habit I've fallen
into, the idea being that you create a film
on the lens that prevents the fogging.
And it's actually something I picked up off scuba divers.
I saw them spitting in their goggles.
So could we all learn something from the scuba divers?
(rock music)
Okay, understandably, I feel pretty uncomfortable
spitting into my own goggles on poolside.
I'm not sure there's any polite way of going about that.
So actually, something that I normally do is just lick
the goggles and then dip them in the water.
And, gotta say, works really well so I'm gonna give this
a four out of five.
- I've always dipped my goggles in the pool
before putting them on my head.
I've never really thought about why I did it,
but it was a habit I picked up as a child at swimming club.
And then it became a bit more of a superstition,
so I'd have a bit of a panic if I couldn't get
my goggles in the pool before racing.
Now I want to know if this is all in vain.
So I think it's time I tried it out.
(upbeat pop music)
[Heather] Okay, there are a couple of positives.
Dropping them in the water, it cleans out any dirt
you might have in your goggles.
And it just helps seal them round the eye.
But, more than that, it doesn't really do very much
'cause they're gonna get wet in the water anyway.
So I think it is pretty much a superstition that I have
and one I'm gonna find really hard to break.
But I'd recommend not getting into that habit
if you haven't already.
So I'm gonna give it a two out of five.
- Next up, some soap.
Now the idea with this is that over time,
by using your goggles and touching your lenses,
you get grease onto the lenses which contributes
to the fogginess that you experience.
So, you can use any kind of soap.
You can use hand gel, shampoo, shower gel, but,
probably baby shampoo is gonna be the kindest on your eyes
if you do get it near them, but please, try not to.
Just use a tiny bit of soap on each of the lenses,
rub it around, and then rinse thoroughly.
Let's get busy going.
(pop music)
Well, my goggles are clean and I can see
incredibly well to start off with.
But how long it lasts, I'm not too sure.
And like with the toothpaste, I probably wouldn't suggest
doing this if you have fairly new goggles with anti-fog in
them already because the shampoo or the shower gel
will actually break down this anti-fog coating.
So for that reason, I'm gonna give this a three out of five.
- Anti-fog solution sounds the most logical.
But you don't see it that commonly in pro swimmers' bags,
so maybe that's telling us something.
And I want to know if it's just a marketing ploy
or if it really does work.
(upbeat pop music)
Well this anti-fog spray seems to do
what it says on the tin.
If you have no anti-fog left on your goggles,
it replaces it temporarily.
Having said that, you do need to use it regularly,
and it's another thing you gotta have in your kit bag,
and something else you gotta go and buy.
So with that in mind, I'm gonna give it a four out of five.
- Next up, a flame.
Now it's a little extreme, I agree,
but apparently some divers use a naked flame
to prevent fogging in their goggles.
Just make sure you allow your goggles to cool down
before you put them on your face and be careful
if there's any rubber on your goggles.
So stand back.
Let's give this a go.
(pop music)
Okay, this is what you call an old wives' tale.
It doesn't work.
Just don't try it.
So for that reason, this doesn't even get a point,
this gets a zero out of five.
- Rinsing your goggles in fresh water doesn't sound like
it's gonna do anything different, really,
dipping them in the pool.
Well that's what I'm gonna find out.
(upbeat pop music)
Well, right here, right now,
it didn't actually make any difference.
It's the same as dipping my goggles in the pool water.
Having said that, if you're swimming in salt water,
you do need to rinse them afterwards
to then get the dry crustiness.
And also, if you are using them in the pool,
rinse them after, as the chlorine will actually
work away at the anti-fog.
So in the long term, rinsing in fresh water will prolong
the life of your goggles.
With that in mind, I'm gonna give it a four out of five.
- Well that was really interesting and great fun.
I particularly enjoyed burning the goggles.
- I saw you did. (laughing)
- But, I'm not sure it was a great option.
I think I'm gonna stick to the saliva.
- Well I'm gonna let you keep your saliva, and I'm gonna try
the anti-fog solution in the future, I think.
And basically, you just need to look after your goggles
and the anti-fog will last much longer.
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