perspective
Anti-fog spray for glasses: Clear vision despite a respirator
Wearing a respirator mask makes your glasses fog up faster
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Everyone who wears glasses knows the annoying problem: as soon as you put on a respirator, the glasses fog up. Simply leaving out mouth and nose protection is currently just as out of the question as doing without the necessary visual aids. The only thing that helps is reaching into your bag of tricks.
The problem is not new, as glasses always fog up when warm air meets cold: in other words, when you do sports and sweat, drink or prepare something warm, empty the dishwasher or get on the tram in winter. It usually only takes a few minutes for the water condensed on the lenses to disappear and your vision to be clear again. The situation is different when wearing mouth and nose protection, which is mandatory in public facilities and local transport as well as in all supermarkets due to the prevailing corona pandemic. Regardless of which respirator you wear, the lenses will always fog up. Unless you hold your breath – which of course wouldn’t be a realistic solution to the problem. Instead, you could use an anti-fog spray for glasses, for example. Read here what it is and how it works.
This is how an anti-fog spray for glasses works
As you can imagine, a anti-fog spray make sure that you have a clear view – despite the respirator. This is made possible by first thoroughly cleaning your glasses or sunglasses and then applying the spray to both sides. And distribute evenly with a fine microfiber cloth. This forms a thin (transparent) film on the lenses, preventing water droplets from condensing on them. In plain language this means: your glasses no longer fog up. However, depending on the manufacturer, this condition only lasts for 24 to a maximum of 72 hours. You must then reapply the anti-fog spray for the glasses. Alternatively, there are also reusable ones anti-fog wipeswhich are intended to achieve a similar effect.
These tips will help prevent fogged lenses
In addition to the anti-fog spray for glasses or sunglasses, there are other tips that can help prevent your glasses from fogging up so quickly:
- The tighter the breathing mask fits over the mouth and nose, the less warm air penetrates to the glasses – and fogs them up. So always think about a tight fit when buying.
- When wearing a respirator (no matter what model it is), always make sure that the frame of your glasses is slightly on/over the mouth and nose protection and not underneath.
- First place a handkerchief across the bridge of your nose before putting on a respirator. As a result, the paper catches the moist air from your breath and the glasses fog up less.
- Secure the respirator over your nose with a wire or metal clip if it isn’t already sewn in. This minimizes the gap through which your breathing air rises to the lenses.
- Fold the top quarter of the respirator inward before putting it on. This allows more moisture to be trapped, which would normally fog up your glasses.
- Clean your glasses with a little soap or washing-up liquid under lukewarm water and dry the lenses with a dry, clean tea towel. As a result, fewer water droplets can stick to it.
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