Motorcycle helmets are the most important part of safety for a rider. That means that you need to take good care of them.
However, it is not only restricted to lightly cleaning the helmet or just cleaning the stains.
You have to deep clean it every once in a while.
Quick Summary
By the end of this article, we will go through:
- How you can clean your helmet?
- Any questions you might have related to cleaning.
Let’s take a look into it.
How Can I Clean My Motorcycle Helmet?
As discussed earlier, motorcycle helmets are the most important piece of equipment for you. You have to take good care of them, which involves thorough cleaning.
The helmet is often in contact with different types of things. These leave their stains on the exterior of your helmet. You need to keep the outside polished and stain-free. Be sure to protect it and the face shield from scratches.
The interior lining of your headgear is in contact with your skin. The lining also absorbs the body oils and sweat. The lining also lowers the noise inside the helmet. That’s why you have to regularly wash it.
What should I have with me before I wash my helmet?
Before you start to work on the helmet, you have to make sure that you have the right equipment. This will make the job easier and less time-consuming for you. It includes
- Microfiber cloth
- Toothbrush
- Warm water
- Baby Shampoo
You can also use motorcycle helmet cleaning products available in the market. There are also some things that you should not use when you clean your helmet and its accessories. These include:
- Alcohol or solvent-based cleaners
- Dish Soap
- Ammonia-based cleaners
- Petroleum distillate cleaners
Also, be sure that you wash your helmet in a good, roomy space. We also recommend that you keep the manual with you for any special guidelines.
When you wash your helmet, you need to:
Step # 1 – Disassemble your helmet
The first thing you should do is disassemble your helmet. You must remove any kinds of accessories that you have attached. These include any wiring, speakers, Bluetooth receivers, etc.
If you have a dual helmet, you also should remove the peak. Refer to the manual for this step as instructions are different for each helmet.
Then, you move to remove the internal lining of the helmet. However, this step is only applicable if you have a helmet with a removable lining.
In case you have a helmet without a removable lining, you have to wash it all at once.
After this, you can start to clean the helmet.
Step # 2 – Wash the internal lining
As discussed above, it is easier to wash a helmet with a removable lining. You just have to throw it in a washing machine and let it dry afterward.
However, if you have a different type of lining, you need to:
- FIll a tub with warm water. Be sure that the tub is big enough for your headgear to fit in.
- Put the detergent in the tub and mix it. You can swirl the water with your hand to accelerate the process.
- Submerge your helmet into the tub for several minutes and let it soak in the water.
- Then, clean the lining with a microfiber cloth and rinse it thoroughly
- Then, let the lining dry in the air.
Step # 3 – Clean the outside of your helmet
There are two kinds of cleaning you have to do with the exterior of your helmet. The first is a quick wipe of your helmet with a microfiber cloth. We recommend that you do this every time you travel on your motorbike.
You just have to take a damp microfiber cloth and cover the stains with it. Leave the cloth in place for about 30 minutes. It will loosen and dislodge any stains that are on the finish. Then, rib the stains with a towel until the exterior starts to shine.
In case of any tough stains, we recommend that you use wax. Do not use any alcohol or other solvents as they can damage the finish of your helmet.
To deep clean your helmet, you first have to remove the visor. It is washed separately. If you have stains of mud on your helmet, run it under a stream of water.
But, you need to remove the electronics first. This will remove the largest stains on your helmet.
Then, you need to rub a microfiber cloth soaked in mild shampoo solution to the helmet. It will remove any stains that are left on the exterior. Afterward, you can dry it with a towel or a dry microfiber cloth.
To clean the hard-to-reach areas, you should use a toothbrush or a q tip. You can also blow compressed air through the vents. It will remove any debris stuck inside and will clear the vents for clear flow.
If you want to make future cleaning easier, you can polish the exterior of your headgear with some wax.
Step # 4 – Wash the visor
Visors normally have some kind of additional coating on them to protect against UV light. That’s why it is removed when you wash the helmet as anything other than water can damage it.
To clean the visor, you need to rinse and clean it with water and a shampoo solution. Be sure that you wash it with your fingers as lightly as possible. Afterward, rinse it with warm water and dry the visor with warm water.
Why should I not use solvents to clean the visor?
Visors are coated with a protective layer to protect against fogging. If you use any harsh chemicals, you can damage this coating.
If your helmet has an internal sun protector, you can clean it with simply a splash of water and microfiber.
Step # 5 – Reassemble the helmet
Lastly, you have to put your helmet back together. Start with the internal lining and padding. Then, move towards the visor and lastly attach any electronics or accessories you remove prior.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How often should I clean my helmet?
Ideally, you should clean your helmet every 3 to 4 months. Helmets are of different types and kinds. Some have removable lining and others don’t. The cleaning process becomes easy if your helmet has a removable lining.
How can I remove mold from my helmet?
You can remove mold from your helmet with bleach. It will be good as new when you use a mixture of bleach and water.
Can I shine my helmet?
Yes, you can shine the exterior of your helmet. You can use spray-on wax for this purpose. It is made for cars but also can remove dust and give back some of the shine of your helmet.
Wrapping Things Up
Motorcycle helmets are designed to protect your head against any sort of injury. The internal lining is in close contact with your skin and the exterior absorbs impacts.
The helmet can become dirty and, hence, it becomes important that you thoroughly wash it. You can easily clean it by following the steps discussed above in the guide.
With this, we reach the end of our article on “How to clean a motorcycle helmet?”.
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