Goggle Care 101: How to Clean Ski & Snowboard Goggles
Nice winter goggles can be a big investment, and if you want them to last more than one season, you’ll need to learn how to take care of them. Fortunately, learning how to clean ski goggles is a straightforward process that doesn’t require any special tools or knowledge. However, there are a few little tricks that can make the task easier and quicker. And that is exactly why we put together this goggle care guide for skiers and snowboarders.
When to Clean Ski & Snowboard Goggles
The general rule for goggle care is to clean your ski/snowboard goggles after every use and put them away dry. This approach ensures that your goggles are ready to go as soon as you need them the next time and will perform as expected.
But depending on the conditions you may need to clean more frequently, like if snow gets inside the lens, if freezing rain sticks to the outside of the lens, or if you accidentally drop your goggles into a bucket of nacho cheese (hey, it happens).
How to Clean Ski & Snowboard Goggles
Proper cleaning and storage can significantly increase how many seasons you get out of a pair of goggle lenses. In fact, taking a few extra steps to regularly care for your lenses will allow you to carry them into multiple seasons, instead of having to replace them each year.
When cleaning ski/snowboard goggles, we generally recommend a four-step process.
- Check the lens for blemishes
- Clean the outside of the lens
- Clean the inside of the lens
- Store in a microfiber goggle bag or case
1: Check the Lens for Scratches
A big scratch through your field of vision can be distracting at best, and dangerous at worst. When preparing to put away your goggles at the end of the day, carefully inspect the interior and exterior of the lens for major scuffs or blemishes that could potentially require a replacement. It’s better to find out you need a replacement lens on the way home from the mountain than on the way to the mountain.
Pro tip: If the lens has ice on it, place the goggles inside your jacket for a few minutes to thaw them out.
2: Clean the Outside of the Goggle Lens
If your lens is in decent shape, clean the outside first. But remember, you should never try to clean wet goggle lenses, as you can inadvertently rub off the hydrophobic/oleophobic coatings. Instead, begin the process of cleaning your lenses by shaking the goggles or tapping them against your hand to remove as much water as possible. Next, blot the lens with a microfiber cloth or the included goggle bag. Once the lens is completely dry, proceed to buff the lens with a dry section of a microfiber cloth or the included goggle bag; apply gentle pressure and rub the cloth in small circles until the lenses are clean.
Pro tip: Keep a spare microfiber cloth in your jacket pocket for on-the-mountain cleaning and never use your gloves/mittens to clean your goggles, which can cause permanent damage to lens coatings.
3: Clean the Inside of the Goggle Lens
Once the outside of the lens is clean and dry, now you can move on to the inside. Since the interior of a goggle lens is typically treated with an anti-fog coating that can soften when wet, it is important to not try and wipe down the lens if there is any water on it. Instead, use the same technique from the previous step and shake the goggles or tap them against your hand to remove as much water as possible. Next, blot the lens with a microfiber cloth or the included goggle bag. Finally, once the inside of the goggle is completely dry you can use a dry section of a microfiber cloth or the included goggle bag to gently wipe off any remaining smudges or spots.
Pro tip: Remove the goggle lens from the frame for easier cleaning.
4: Store the Goggles in a Microfiber Goggle Bag or Case
The final step in the ski/snowboard goggle cleaning process is to store your clean dry goggles in the original goggle bag (if you have it) or any other padded case that provides reliable protection. Alternatively, consider a backpack or other gear bag that features a dedicated google storage compartment.
General Ski & Snowboard Goggle Care Tips
Simply learning how to clean ski and snowboard goggles properly will get you most of the way to multiple seasons of use, but there are a few additional things you can to increase the lifespan of your goggles.
Pro tip: Add a spare pair of goggles to your kit. Being prepared for the worst-case scenario is never a bad idea. Plus, you may save the day if your friend oversleeps and forgets their goggles (classic Dave).
Goggle Storage Tips
- Keep your goggles at a reasonable temperature when you’re not using them. Consider a cool, dark place with minimal moisture (like an inside closet).
- Don’t leave your goggles hanging from the rear-view mirror of your vehicle. Sure, you’ll always know where they are and it may be easier to strike up a conversation with the cashier at the drive-through, but the extended sun exposure can cause rapid deterioration of the foam padding and potentially warp the lenses (especially in extreme temperatures).
- If you’re parked outside, don’t pack your goggles in the car the night before a trip to the mountain. Putting very cold goggles on your warm face can create vapor condensation and start the downward spiral of goggle fogging.
Goggle Maintenance Tips
- Avoid lens cleaning products unless they are explicitly recommended by the goggle manufacturer.
- Try and keep your goggles dry. Obviously, you’ll be outside in the elements and this simply isn’t always possible, but make an effort to keep your goggles dry and put them away dry.
- If you know that you are especially hard on your goggles, consider getting a replacement lens before you need it, so you’re not stuck leering through a hazy lens while you’re rolling through the park.
