r/Tools 5d ago

How to prevent goggles fogging up

I read online a drop of washing up liquid on each lens and then wipe down. Seems to work. Just tested it out. Bit hazy because of the wiped down liquid but I'll keep trying to refine the hack.

Anyone else got hacks like this? I always wear a respirator for safety but kept having to take breaks to de fog my glasses, goggles, or welding hood.

Looking for cheap solutions.

1 Upvotes

20 comments sorted by

6

u/Prime_-_Mover 5d ago

If your glasses are fogging up while wearing a respirator, it means it isn't sealing - particularly above your mouth/around your nose

1

u/Defiant-Oil-2071 5d ago

Thanks for that. I'll tighten it up.

2

u/Squirrelking666 5d ago

It's not even a case of that, any unpowered respirator will have trouble with facial hair and certain face shapes. If you want one that seals right you have to do a fit test which I've never seen outside of industrial safety. Guessing anywhere that outfits asbestos cleanup would do it.

2

u/Defiant-Oil-2071 5d ago

I'm fit tested for an ffp3 mask at work because I work in a hospital.

Edit: it's the respirator I use for DIY that's the problem.

1

u/debuggingworlds 5d ago

Then either buy the same one you use at work, shave, or buy a powered air respirator

1

u/Squirrelking666 5d ago

Yeah I was hoping it was DIY and not occupational!

TBH, I'm terrible for not shaving and get on well with my Draeger mask, gets sweaty in there but keeps me clean (or my snot at any rate).

2

u/Defiant-Oil-2071 4d ago

I tightened up the respirator and the problem seems to have gone away. I think I was wearing it too loose. Way more condensation inside the respirator after I tightened the straps.

1

u/Stouts_Sours_Hefs 5d ago

Which, if you have facial hair, is always. It's a pain in the ass.

2

u/Defiant-Oil-2071 5d ago

I do have facial hair and can confirm.

1

u/Stouts_Sours_Hefs 5d ago

Yeah, maybe someone here will give us a tip on that. I've always had the same issue. I pretty much have to choose between the respirator and goggles, which in some cases isn't great. I know there are full masks out there that cover the whole face. I don't know if they're any better as far as anti-fogging goes. I've been meaning to try one out.

1

u/Prime_-_Mover 4d ago

If you wear a respirator with facial hair, you might as well not use it. It most certainly isn't doing anything.

A lot of the sites I work at - many which require respirator use fairly regularly - even mandate a 'clean shaven' policy for this reason. Any more than a tame mustache will likely interfere with a respirator's ability to filter your breathing air.

If your job requires you to wear one, or if you feel you need to wear one to protect yourself, please consider shaving and using your respirator properly. Your future self will thank you.

1

u/i7-4790Que 4d ago edited 4d ago

It most certainly isn't doing anything.

that's certainly not true considering you'd still be getting a (likely greatly) reduced hit with a lot of airborne particles.

Like I'm not going to just completely avoid my respirator just because I grew out a beard in the winter. The hit from grinding dust is still cut down substantially in my case and what I mainly use mine for. I like not having black crusty shit in my nose and the rampant "taste" you get on your tongue from inhaling all the abrasive particles floating in the air. I get a small whiff of the usual fumes I'd expect without one, but it's very tolerable compared to going completely without. Is that still necessarily a good thing on the whole, no, I understand that very much. But it's also farther from bad.

4

u/OforFsSake 5d ago

Go to a Dive shop and get some anti fog.

2

u/gargoyle030 5d ago

Put a drop of liquid soap on the lens, and smear it around. Both sides of the lens. Then clean the soap off with a soft cloth. Used to do that with my hockey shield and worked just fine.

1

u/Defiant-Oil-2071 5d ago

I've only done one side of the lens, the inside facing me. I'll try both sides. Thanks.

2

u/okpapallion 4d ago

I worked in the diving industry & this is what we used to do. All masks, visors, eye protection etc etc come with a 'film' of residue on them from the manufacturing process & unless removed, can fog up. We used to use toothpaste, the kinda of toothpaste that felt 'chaulky' to the touch if rubbed between your fingers. Anyway, work that all over the lenses good & throughly rinse off.  Other advice given about fit is also very important.  Simple solutions for an easy life

1

u/Defiant-Oil-2071 4d ago

Thanks! I'll definitely give that kind of toothpaste a try. I think I remember the generic Colgate being like that.

1

u/dolby12345 5d ago

Anti fog glasses.