Glasses fog up when wearing a face mask

whizzywoo

Not wanting to get into a discussion about the rights and wrongs of wearing cloth face masks 
BUT
My spectacles fog up pretty bad within a couple of seconds of wearing any sort of face mask.  Tried different sprays and other solutions but have actually found something which works and may be useful for people.  Especially if like me you are very short sighted and cannot function without your glasses.

This cloth actually works quite well.  It stops my spectacles from fogging up when wearing a cloth face mask.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bolle-safety-Anti-fog-cloths-fabric-wipes-tissues-For-all-types-of-Glasses-Lens/323809335562

Maybe not for as long as stated but certainly for at least 2 to 3 hours, more than enough for a trip to the supermarket.  Not cheap but after sending three different sprays back because they don't work I was very happy to find this cloth.

It works much better if you clean the lenses first using mild soap and water, rinse in water and then apply the cloth before the lenses are dry.  I tried using it on dry lenses but it didn't work as well.  Alternatively if the lenses are already clean, let them fog up and that provides enough moisture for the cloth to do its job.

Although expensive this cloth is the only item I have found that actually works.  The bolle spray does not work at all.

poppy12345

Thank you for this. Having tried to use a face mask myself and found straight away that my glasses steamed up and without my glasses i can't see a thing.

Undervalued

Interesting, thanks.

I have always struggled to use face masks for DIY projects etc for that reason, so tended not to use one when I really should. I did once have some very expensive Zeiss lenses and they were far less prone to steaming up. However, the idea of using them for dusty / messy jobs wasn't appealing for obvious reasons!

Hermann

If your glasses are steaming up from your breath then your mask is not fitted correctly and will not be as effective as it would be if fitted correctly.

JATP

Get an anti-fog for motorcycle helmet visor, available at most motorcycle accessory stores, like " M and P ", or the old way, dip specs in a washing up liquid solution after cleaning them, then let them air dry, will last a couple of hours.

[Deleted User]

In countries where people wear masks often they make special lens coatings that don't fog up.

You can also try fitting the mask better around your nose so that hot air doesn't go up. Proper masks have a little metal strip around the nose that you are supposed to bend into shape. I saw some with a little foam strip there to help seal them against your face.

Undervalued

Hermann said:

If your glasses are steaming up from your breath then your mask is not fitted correctly and will not be as effective as it would be if fitted correctly.

To an extent yes. However you are not going to get a perfect airtight seal with any fabric or paper mask.

hb2

OP, thanks for this. I was just discussing this problem earlier today - I used to be a nurse and always struggled when I needed to wear a mask as my specs would steam up. I have also tried various 'anti fog' sprays etc (and tried them on my swimming goggles) but without any great success. 

Archergirl

I was wondering if the swimming goggles anti fog one would damage the coating and reactalight thing on my glasses, anyone know?

jimi_man

An excellent tip I was given is to twist the elastic straps before they go behind the ears. So the top of the mask would go to the bottom of the ear and the bottom of the mask would go to the top of the ear. It creates a slight air gap at either side of the mask.

Works brilliantly. 

And it's free.

Jeremy535897

jimi_man said:

An excellent tip I was given is to twist the elastic straps before they go behind the ears. So the top of the mask would go to the bottom of the ear and the bottom of the mask would go to the top of the ear. It creates a slight air gap at either side of the mask.

Works brilliantly. 

And it's free.

But the tighter the fit, the better the protection.