You can find many different concoctions and recipes that you can use nowadays to create your ‘miracle’ mask defogging solution. For many scuba divers, it’s a common way to spit in their scuba masks to stop snorkel and mask defogging. 

However, if you find spitting into your scuba mask uncivilized or unhygienic or you are simply tired of hawking all that spit into your mask, we will introduce to you some substitutes that have been proven to work just as well as saliva to stop snorkel and mask fogging.

Substitutes That Can Stop Snorkel and Mask Fogging 

Here you are some substitutes that can be used instead of saliva to stop snorkel and mask fogging:

• Glycerin.
• Toothpaste.
• Shampoo.
• Commercial defogging solutions.
• Soap, detergent and dishwashing liquid.

Glycerin 

Glycerin is a chemical compound that you can find easily in your local pharmacy. It is known as Glycerol and commonly called glycerine.  It’s considered a viscous liquid that has no color or odor and is widely used in making pharmaceutical formulations.

Being a form of alcohol, it can be mixed with water well and decrease surface tension of water droplets. That prevents fogging condensation and in turn stop snorkel and mask fogging.

Toothpaste 

Although it is the strangest one in the list. Toothpaste works well and leaves your mask clean with a minty fresh smell. Many scuba divers actually use toothpaste to clean their new scuba masks. The microscopic silicone particles in addition to the mild abrasive present in the toothpaste helps clean the mask well.

Shampoo 

Shampoo, especially baby shampoo, is commonly used as defogging agents for the same reasons, as it works well in cleaning the mask by helping break the surface tension of the water droplets that have been formed by condensation.

Experienced scuba divers recommend baby shampoo to other divers for the same reason that baby shampoos or no tear shampoos will not cause irritation to your eyes if any water has entered your mask and once again shampoo will leave you scuba mask with a wonderful smell.

Commercial Defogging Solutions 

Most dive websites and dive stores sell special created mask defog agents in convenient spray bottles. You will find mixed reviews and quite a bit of debate about which commercial product works best, so ensure you don’t spend much money on one of these products when you have so many cheap alternatives that are more available.

Soap, Detergent and Dishwashing Liquid 

Soup, detergent and dishwashing liquid are all products that work well and help stop snorkel and mask fogging, as they all are considered surfactants that can break the surface tension of water.

But you need to be caution, just rinse your scuba mask  after rubbing it’s inside glass and use a tiny amount because you definitely don’t want the used liquid to come in contact with your eyes while scuba diving.