How to Stop Your Diving Mask from Fogging

There’s nothing worse than jumping into those crystal blue waters, only to find your view obscured by the dreaded mask fog. If you’ve already started your dive, it’s almost impossible to remove and you’ll find yourself doing mask clears every few minutes. It can be distracting and even dangerous for divers or snorkelers, as it means you won’t be paying full attention to your surroundings.

Why Does My Diving Mask Fog Up?

Mask fog is completely normal and it doesn’t mean that you have a faulty mask. New masks will almost always come with a thin protective film over the inside of the lenses which protects the glass during shipping, but encourages condensation. You can remove the film, but masks will eventually be prone to fogging again. Fortunately, we are here to tell you exactly how to solve it!

9 Tips to Stop Your Diving Mask from Fogging

Brand New Masks

To remove that leftover film, there are two tried-and-tested methods that every diver will swear by. Remember that only the inside of your mask needs de-fogging; the outside does not.

1. Toothpaste

Yup, plain old toothpaste! Tiny granules help to break down the oil-based lens coating, which you can then just wash away. Make sure you use a gentle, non-whitening toothpaste to protect your mask: the simpler the better. Using your finger or a soft cloth, spread a good dollop of paste around both lenses and leave overnight. Rinse in the morning and hey, presto.

2. Flame

The second (and arguably more fun) option is to burn the film off. Use the tip of a flame from a lighter on the inside of the mask. Keep the mask moving so that no one spot gets too hot, and you’ll start to see the film turn black. Once both lenses are black, wipe away with a soft cloth and repeat the process once or twice more until the lens no longer blackens. This means that all of the film has been removed.

Important: Do not use fire on plastic lenses - only tempered glass - and do not let the flame get too close to the silicone skirt otherwise it may melt!

Used Masks

Even after removing the film, your mask will likely begin to fog up again. You should be prepared to treat it before every dive.

When rinsing, just use a splash of water and don’t scrub. A small amount of defogging product on the lenses will prevent your mask from fogging up during the dive.

3. Baby shampoo

No more tears. Place a few drops of watered-down baby shampoo in each lens and spread with your finger, then rinse lightly before your dive. I would always recommend baby shampoo over even a mild dish soap, as I’ve found the latter to be more irritating to the eyes when my mask has leaked.

4. Commercial de-foggers

You can buy specialized de-fog products which, reportedly, are more successful in keeping masks clear. Spritz then spread evenly around the lenses, and rinse before your dive. Again, remember that you want a small amount of product to remain on the lenses to prevent condensation from forming. Try to choose products which have been designed to be reef-safe, as harsh chemicals can damage our fragile ocean ecosystems.

Learn more: Our commitment to cleaning up our world’s oceans.

5. Spit!

Diving is not the most glamorous sport. If you’ve ever been on a dive boat and wondered why divers love hoiking into their masks, then wonder no more. Alongside soaps and other products, your saliva also acts as a mild surfactant (time to dust-off that grade school chemistry), meaning that it prevents water from forming droplets.

Author’s Advice: Rinse the saliva out before you put your mask on your head. There’s nothing more upsetting than your own spit oozing down your forehead and into your eyes in front of your dive buddies. Regrettably, I speak from experience…

6. Potato

You heard me: Potato! Although I’ve never used this earthy method myself, I am assured that cutting a clean potato in half and rubbing it on your lenses will keep them from fogging. I’m not sure why you’d be carrying a knife and root vegetables in your dive bag as opposed to soaps but, on the off-chance that you are, I suppose this one's for you.

Extra Tips for the User

7. No nose-breathing

It can be a strange adjustment for some, but breathing solely out of your mouth is essential while diving or snorkeling. Your breath contains moisture, and if a warm breath meets cold glass underwater then you’ll create instant fog.

8. Don’t touch!

Once you’ve cleaned your mask, avoid touching the inside again with your hands. Small bits of dirt and oil may adhere to the inside and stop your chosen anti-fog treatment from working fully.

9. Well-fitting mask

If your mask has any gaps or is too loose, then water will inevitably creep in while you’re underwater. This will require you to clear by breathing out through your nose and inducing foggy lenses as mentioned in tip # 7.

What is an Anti-Fog Diving Mask?

Anti-fog masks come with a specialized anti-fog film on the inside of the lenses. They, too, prevent water from beading on the inside of your mask, but they last a lot longer than the methods listed above.

Tidal Mask with Advanced Anti-Fog Technology

I may be biased, but we’ve created a range of masks which utilize this anti-fog tech and we think they are fab! The dream was to create a line-up of stylish masks which would last longer and offer a better user experience while perusing the underwater world.

There are a range of colors and replacement anti-fog films should you ever need them, and all products have free returns with a two-year warranty.

If you’re interested, click here to find out more.

Long-Term Care to Protect Your Diving Mask

It goes without saying that any SCUBA or snorkel gear should be properly cared for if you want to keep it working for as long as possible. Here are some tips for general mask care:

• Rinse your mask thoroughly with fresh water after every dive to remove salt and sand. Clean gently with mild detergent every few dives to remove any oils.

• Never use an abrasive cloth or brush to clean your mask as it may scratch the tempered glass.

• Make sure your mask is completely dry before storing it, as damp materials may start to deteriorate.

• Don’t leave your mask in direct sunlight! If it has any special features like an anti-fog film then the pervasive UV rays may cause degradation over time.

Cheers to a Fog-Free Future!

I hope you are now able to cruise under the waves in full visibility. With a little know-how and good care, your mask should last you many years of underwater fun to come. Time to stock up on those potatoes, hey?

Shop our Range of Tidal Masks with Anti-Fog Technology