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Method to Sterilize Swim Goggles

Method to Sterilize Swim Goggles
The great outdoors may be exciting, but it can be very unsanitary. Many people are used to the sterile chlorine environment of a home pool and take hygiene for granted. However, if you go swimming in a lake, river or other body of water, your swim goggles will likely pick up thousands of tiny microorganisms that are invisible to the naked eye. Without sterilizing your goggles, you can be introducing dangerous bacteria or fungi to your eyes or home pool the next time you wear them.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:
  • Household bleach Water Plastic container Paper towels Liquid soap Rubber gloves (if necessary)
  • Household bleach
  • Water
  • Plastic container
  • Paper towels
  • Liquid soap
  • Rubber gloves (if necessary)
Step 1
Create a 0.5 percent chlorine solution to decontaminate your swim goggles. Household bleach comes in different chlorine concentrations. To make a 0.5 percent bleach solution, multiply your bleach's chlorine concentration by two, subtract one and the resulting sum is how many parts water that must be mixed to one part bleach. Combine bleach and water in a plastic container.
Step 2
Dip a clean paper towel into the chlorine solution and wipe it over your swim goggles. Make sure chlorine solution touches every part of the goggles. Wiping the solution on your goggles will also allow you to easily remove any residue or soil left on your swim goggles.
Step 3
Rinse your swim goggles thoroughly with cool water. Dump your 0.5 percent chlorine solution and rinse out your plastic container with cool water.
Step 4
Combine liquid soap and hot water in your plastic container. If necessary, protect your hands from extreme temperatures with rubber gloves. Agitate the water slightly to create lather.
Step 5
Submerge your swim goggles in the hot soapy water. Remove the goggles from the water. Use a clean paper towel to scrub soil away from your swim goggles and submerge them again. Continue cleaning in this manner for a few minutes or until all soil has been removed.
Step 6
Let your swim goggles sit in a clean area to air dry.

Article Written By Steve Brachmann

Steve Brachmann has been working professionally as a freelance writer since 2007. Hailing from Angola, N.Y., his work has been published in "The Buffalo News," SUNY-Fredonia's "The Leader" and on various websites. He is currently attending the State University of New York-Fredonia to earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in acting with a communication minor.

Write for Trails.com

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