{"id":98,"date":"2022-07-25T05:28:00","date_gmt":"2022-07-25T05:28:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/snorkelvibe.com\/?p=98"},"modified":"2023-01-19T02:35:44","modified_gmt":"2023-01-19T02:35:44","slug":"stop-mask-fog","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aquaticglee.com\/stop-mask-fog\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Stop Snorkel & Scuba Mask Fogging+ Best Anti-fogs"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Mask fogging is probably one of the most maddening things that can happen while you\u2019re enjoying a snorkeling trip. Just picture this scene:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019re sitting in a boat waiting for the go ahead to jump in. The guide has told you all about the wonderful things you\u2019ll be able to see below the surface of the water. You\u2019ll all ready to go. Mask on, snorkel in, fins on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You put your face in the water, start swimming, and you can see the beautiful coral and colorful fish below you. But a few seconds in\u2026 your mask fogs up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You take it off, rinse it, put it back on again. It\u2019s fine for another few seconds but then it fogs again!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here is how to make sure you\u2019re never affected by the dreaded foggy mask syndrome again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Causes: Why do Masks Fog?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s simple if you think about it. What happens when you take a cold bottle of water out of the fridge and leave it on the side? Soon enough it\u2019ll be sitting in a puddle of water. Where did this water come from? It\u2019s condensation from the differing temperatures inside and outside the bottle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s similar to what happens to a mask when we go diving or snorkeling<\/a>. The water outside the mask is a different temperature to the air inside the mask, next to our face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is why we can rinse a mask and it\u2019ll be fine again for a few minutes, because we\u2019re evening out the difference in temperature<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But before long the condensation starts to build up again and the mask becomes foggy. So how is it possible to stop this annoying occurrence?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When water vapor collects on the inside of your mask, in order for the tiny droplets to stay on the lens and not run down to the bottom of the mask they must have something to attach themselves to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This could be miniscule impurities in the glass or it could be specks of dirt and sand. The level of fogginess also depends on how humid it is inside the mask, and what the temperature is like outside the mask.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Foggy
Mask with fog<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Keeping your mask as clean as possible is important to not only prevent fogging but also improve your snorkeling experience<\/a>. This includes not wearing any sunscreen or lotion which could easily be transferred to your mask in the water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Using some kind of surfactant such as an anti-fog spray, washing up liquid, or spit, helps to smooth out the tiny droplets so that they form an even layer of moisture on the lens. This is much easier to see through than the tiny individual droplets all over which give that fogged up result.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Defog a Brand-new Mask<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Before we go into the different methods of defogging your mask, let\u2019s talk about the first one-off treatment required for lucky owners of a brand-new snorkeling mask.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most masks are made with tempered glass and silicone, however there are also some plastic or polycarbonate ones, as well as those with anti-fog properties<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If your mask is polycarbonate you need to be extremely careful when cleaning it, as these types of masks can scratch very easily. If you have bought an anti-fog mask then you can skip the following steps completely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Masks that are made with tempered glass leave the factory coating with a thin protective layer. You\u2019ll need to get rid of this to have any hope of being able to see underwater.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step One<\/strong> (Only for masks made with tempered glass)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Find somewhere where there\u2019s no breeze and hold your mask carefully with one hand. Use the other to carefully burn the inside of each lens with a lighter. Be careful not to burn either yourself or the surrounding silicon material when you are doing this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s easiest if you hold the mask above you and face down so that the flame is pointing straight and you can see what you\u2019re doing. Burn the entire inside surface of each lens so that the glass turns black. Then put it to one side for a few minutes to cool down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If this process seems scary to you and you\u2019re worried about harming your lovely new mask, ask a professional to help you. Try your local dive center or the shop where you bought the mask. The staff will no doubt be happy to help you remove the factory layer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step Two<\/strong> (Skip straight to this step for polycarbonate masks)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The next part of the process includes toothpaste and an old soft toothbrush, or your fingernails. The reason we use toothpaste is because of the slightly gritty texture which will gently remove the protective layer from the lens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Squirt a pea-sized amount of toothpaste on each lens and gently scrub. If you\u2019ve burnt your mask you\u2019ll end up with a smoky black mixture. Leave your mask to one side for an hour or two and then rinse with water, using the toothbrush again or your nails to clean the surface until it\u2019s completely clear again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Remember that for polycarbonate masks you\u2019ll need to be extremely careful not to scratch the surface of the lens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even after the initial burn and toothpaste treatment, many divers continue to use toothpaste now and then to give their mask a good deep clean. You\u2019ll be surprised how quickly yucky stuff can build up inside!<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"defogged
Clean, free of fog mask<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Day-to-Day Defogging<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

To get the most out of your mask and out of your snorkeling adventures you\u2019ll want to defog your mask before each and every time you use it. There are many different products on the market you can buy to help with this, as well as home-made solutions, and of course the cheapest option, saliva.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Commercial Defogger<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Go into any dive center and you\u2019re likely to see at least one, if not several, commercial mask defoggers. They\u2019re usually small bottles, either a spray or sometimes a gel-like substance where you squeeze a blob into each lens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Use your clean dry fingers to rub the substance all over the lens and then just before you put on the mask, rinse it thoroughly in fresh or salt water, but don\u2019t rub the glass with your fingers or you\u2019ll have to do it again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anti-fog Sprays and Gels<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

McNett, which offers both a gel and spray version (Sea Gold and Sea Drops), is a popular brand among divers, as well as Madwave, Cressi, and Seac anti-fog solutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anti-fog Film<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Tusa makes a reusable film that you can apply to the lens of your mask before diving. These work well but can be a little fiddly to use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anti-fog Sticks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A Spetten product, de-fogging sticks which work just like a spray or gel but instead you rub the stick over the lens and then rinse as usual.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Washing Liquid + Water<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Many dive and snorkel boats will have a big bottle of greenish looking liquid they\u2019ll spray on your mask for you before you get in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s no big mystery as to what this substance is \u2013 it\u2019s usually simply washing up liquid mixed with water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The method is exactly the same; rub the substance all over the lens and then rinse. You can make your own version using washing up liquid or other similar substances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Baby Shampoo<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another homemade solution which is popular with divers is baby shampoo. It\u2019s easy on the eyes, and is also usually hypo-allergenic and biodegradable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mix it with water in a small spray bottle and keep in your mask box so you always have it handy. You can use it the same way as other de-foggers; rub a small amount all over the lens and then rinse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Toothpaste<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As mentioned before, toothpaste can also be used as a day to day defogger, although you\u2019ll need a lot smaller quantity than for removing the factory protective sheen. This can make eyes water and sting just like washing up liquid so care should be taken to rinse thoroughly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Spit<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Most dive professionals who are eco-friendly and dive every day don\u2019t bother with any of the methods above.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It might not be the most glamorous way to make sure your mask doesn\u2019t fog but it means no chemicals going into the ocean or your eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s also far cheaper, and it works just as well. So, don\u2019t be shy. Spit a decent glob of saliva into your mask and swill it around with your fingers before rinsing. Getting used to this method will also mean that you can defog while snorkeling if you\u2019ve forgotten beforehand or didn\u2019t do a good enough job.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anti-fog Masks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Many of the full-face snorkel masks claim to be anti-fog due to the way the ventilation works.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the small print will tell you that in extreme temperature differences further measures will probably need to be taken, that is, one of the options listed above. It works by having a layer of surfactant applied to the glass in the factory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, this layer won\u2019t last forever and you\u2019ll soon be back to using toothpaste, spit, and other methods. Not many masks offer this feature. It\u2019s more important to find one that fits well than one with gimmicky features such as claiming to be anti-fog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Video<\/h2>\n\n\n\n