Cleaning your helmet…sounds like a simple task, doesn’t it? And while a quick wipe over with a cloth may suffice some of the time, giving your helmet a thorough clean every now and then is important, especially if you’ve been riding your motorbike a lot this summer. So, if you want to know the best way to properly clean your helmet, take a read of our simple guide below.
You’ll need: cotton buds, non-abrasive sponge, clean lint-free cloths, toothbrush, cleaning products.
1. Take your helmet apart
Before you begin this step, get your camera out and take some snaps of the inside and outside of your ‘fully assembled’ helmet as this will make it easier when you come to putting the thing back together. Gently remove everything you know you can; anything that’s proving to be a bit tricky, refer back to the manual. If you’ve chucked the manual out, you could call the manufacturer’s technical department or search for some trusted instructions on the web. Then, lay all your parts – cheek pads, visor, base plates, breath guard, etc. – on a clean surface and in the order you’ll need to fit them back into the helmet.
Note: you don’t need to strip the helmet completely – if a part doesn’t need to be removed to clean the helmet efficiently then leave it there.
2. Give it a wash
If your helmet is fitted with removable cheek pads (most of them are) and lining, fill a bowl with lukewarm water and a small squirt of PH-neutral shampoo (baby shampoo is best) and leave them to soak for a few minutes. Give all the removed parts a good massage and rinse thoroughly with cool, clean water.
To clean the helmet, rest it on a towel in the bath or sink and rinse well with warm water (a shower head is best for this). You need to drench the helmet, massaging a small amount of shampoo into all the nooks and crannies. Once you’ve given it a good rub, rinse it out with cool, clean water several times to ensure all the suds are removed.
Once everything’s been hosed down, lay it all on a towel in front of a fan for at least half a day so it can dry thoroughly.
3. The visor
Your visor should be given special treatment in the cleaning process. Grab your visor and soak it in a bowl filled with warm water. Rub some mild soap into the visor, use your fingers to remove any dirt and clean using a non-abrasive cloth. Once it’s cleaned, rinse gently with water and then put it to one side. Once it has dried naturally you can re-apply the anti-fog.
4. Clean the parts
Once your helmet and additional parts are dry, now’s the time to give them a good clean. The outer shell of the helmet can be cleaned with warm water and a small amount of mild soap solution, applied gently using a non-abrasive cloth. The hard-to-reach spots, such as the vents, can be cleaned using cotton buds or a soft-bristled toothbrush.
5. Put your helmet back together
Just before you start to re-assemble your helmet, grab some silicone lube and apply it around the visor mechanism and seal, wiping off any excess with a soft, clean cloth. Then, use the pictures you took at the start to help you put your helmet back together. Make sure you position your visor properly and ensure everything is properly reconnected to the helmet.
