How to Prevent Your Facemask from Fogging Your Glasses

How to Prevent Your Facemask from Fogging Your Glasses

A little fog on the bathroom mirror in the morning can be a minor inconvenience. A little fog in your safety glasses can be a major annoyance and even a safety hazard. And unfortunately, as required face masks become more and more common for everyone, workers are finding the problem of lens fog is too. The best-case scenario is that workers waste time and increase stress with this constant annoyance. The worst is that they simply stop wearing their safety glasses and end up with an eye injury. To solve this problem, you want a solution that doesn’t require constant adjustments.
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By John Heniff, Safety Writer, Magid

A little fog on the bathroom mirror in the morning can be a minor inconvenience. A little fog in your safety glasses can be a major annoyance and even a safety hazard. And unfortunately, as required face masks become more and more common for everyone, workers are finding the problem of lens fog is too. The best-case scenario is that workers waste time and increase stress with this constant annoyance. The worst is that they simply stop wearing their safety glasses and end up with an eye injury. To solve this problem, you want a solution that doesn’t require constant adjustments.

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DIY Solutions for Fogged Lenses

Here are two quick ideas for immediate relief:

Icon of a sudsy bar of soap

Soapy Water

Before your workers put on their mask, tell them to wash their safety glasses with mild soapy water and either let them air dry or gently dry the lenses with a tissue. This leaves a transparent film of soap residue that causes the water vapor droplets from their breath to spread out evenly over the lens instead of concentrating near the bottom of the frames.

Icon of a box of tissues

Tissues

Another easy fix is to have your workers place a folded tissue against the bridge of their nose before donning their mask. The tissue will serve as an absorbent barrier between the lower face and safety glasses to prevent vapor particles from creating too much fog on the lenses.

Professional Products for Fogged Lenses

Find a Different Mask

Sometimes, the best solution is a better mask for your worker’s face or application.
Although most masks are made to fit most faces, consider trying out different brands and varieties for something that provides the protection your workers need while also providing a comfortable fit.

Anti-Fog Sprays, Wipes, & Lens Treatments

The best and longest lasting solution may be anti-fogging compounds or lens treatments that are specially designed to help keep lenses clear. Wipes and sprays leave behind a residue that quickly disappears and, like the soapy water, helps block vapor from developing into an opaque fog. These can be better than the DIY treatment, since it’s easy to use too much or too little soap, rub too hard or not hard enough when drying, etc.

You can also solve the problem permanently by providing safety glasses that are treated with anti-fog coatings. These treatments are available in both prescription and non-prescription safety glasses and can completely eliminate worries about lens fog.

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