If you’ve worn prescription glasses for any length of time you know how annoying it is to walk in from the outside and have your glasses fog up. Now with the mask mandates across the nation, the fog that you used to deal with for a few seconds, is not only lasting longer; it’s happening all the time!
During the warmer months having your glasses fog up is relatively a “non-issue”, but during the winter months (which feels like it can last 6 or more months if you live in the north) this issue is annoying and at times dangerous.
Who knows what or who you’ll run into if you can’t see because your glasses are fogged up!
However, it doesn’t seem like masks are going away anytime soon, so rather than hope that you won’t have to deal with foggy glasses once masks are gone, why not take care of your fogged up spectacles now?
Below you’ll find ways to keep your glasses from fogging up while wearing a mask and, just in general. Some of these tips can be implemented right now, literally. While others will need additional steps and tools, such as anti-fog spray, but will help to keep your glasses fog-free in the long run. Additionally, we will give you some big no-no’s when it comes to keeping your glasses fog-free.
What You Can Do Now To Keep Your Glasses From Fogging Up
The following tips will help you to reduce fog from infiltrating your glasses, at least for the time being. These don’t always work 100% of the time, but they can help in a pinch:
- Adjust your glasses. Probably the only time you’ll be happy if you have short eyelashes, is when you need to move your glasses higher up on your nose, as close as possible to your eyes. This will help to close the gap between the bottom of your glasses and your face. Which will reduce the heat from your breath from reaching up to your lenses.
- Make sure your mask fits. Aaron Hamilton, MD explains, “You want to make sure your mask fits securely over the nose. With glasses, a mask with a nose bridge will keep warm air from exiting up to your glasses as opposed to other face coverings.” Many masks are available that can be molded to fit the shape of your nose and cheeks so that no air can escape. Furthermore, as this article points out, if you are making your own masks you can use twist ties or pipe cleaners so that the mask will mold to fit the face better and will not let air travel to the top of the mask. If you don’t have time to go out and buy a mask like this at the moment, use a piece of tape or use your glasses to seal the fabric around your nose and cheeks.
- Use a tissue. If you have a tissue handy or any other absorbent material you can use it to catch the hot air that rises from the top of your mask. Simply fold the tissue horizontally and place it on the bridge of your nose under the mask. The cloth traps the moisture instead of letting it flow up to your glasses.
What You Can Do To Keep Your Glasses From Fogging Up In The Future
The following techniques help to keep your glasses from fogging up the next time you venture out of your home and include various products such as anti-fog spray and some DIY tricks that have proven to be effective for many people. Try these out to see what works best for you and your glasses.
- Soap and water. Most anti-fog articles will have this DIY anti-fog solution. The reason being is that it is touted as a quick and super cheap way to keep your glasses from fogging up. Though this solution may not be a long term fix, it may help for a little while. Use some regular dish soap (the best kind of soap for this) and water to clean your glasses and then wipe them dry. The soap will leave a slight film on your glasses, keeping fog from settling on them. It’s best to use a microfiber cloth to wipe your glasses as tissues can leave lint which actually attracts moisture!
- Shaving cream. Similar to soapy water, cleaning your glasses with shaving cream and then wiping them off with a microfiber towel will leave a film on your glasses that will keep fog from happening.
- Anti-fog spray. If you plan on wearing your glasses and mask long term (which is most anyone who wears glasses regularly), you’ll need to find a solution that won’t leave you touching your face all day to readjust your glasses and/or mask as well as one where you don’t have to wash your glasses multiple times a day. This is where anti-fog spray solutions come in. Make sure when shopping around for an anti-fog spray or solution that it is designed to be used on glasses, like this anti-fog spray from Quick Sheen, which is safe for any type of eyewear as well as your vehicle!
What Not To Do To Keep Your Glasses From Fogging Up
Even before masks were a thing, people have been giving tips and tricks for how to keep your glasses from fogging up, and not all of them are good or even safe for your glasses. Here is what not to do to keep your glasses from fogging up from Visionworks.com:
- Don’t Use Toothpaste. Some toothpaste may have small particles or grainy substances like baking soda that can damage and scratch your glasses.
- Don’t Use Baby Soap or Shampoo. While dish soap may help to keep fog from attaching to your glasses, baby soap or shampoo can leave a film that may actually inhibit your vision as badly as the fog would!
- Don’t Use Vinegar. Because of the high acidity of vinegar, this solution can actually strip away the coating from your lenses making them useless.
- Don’t Use Spit. Not only will spitting on your glasses not work to keep fog away, but it will also increase the spread of bacteria, which is the exact opposite of what we are trying to do. Plus, it’s gross-don’t do it!
We hope that these tips will keep your glasses fog-free while you’re doing your part and wearing a mask. Stay warm and stay safe out there!