Whether you're a novice or an experienced rider, the inside of your helmet absorbs a considerable amount of body odour, grease and sweat after riding your motorbike, and these elements eventually seep into the foam and lining, leading to odours. The exterior of the helmet is similarly contaminated when exposed to a variety of weather conditions. From dust, rain, soot buildup, and muddy fingerprints to bird droppings, dead insects, and more. Properly cleaning motorbike helmets so that they are always in good condition is essential to getting a perfect view while riding. Therefore, every motorbike rider needs to have some simple helmet cleaning tips.
Helmet cleaning is usually divided into three parts:
- Helmet visor
- Helmet shell
- Helmet liner
Although there are a large number of products on the market specifically for helmet care, there are some basic items one can use around the house to get the job done. Make sure you have a clean workspace with enough room for your cleaning products and tools. You will also need some extra space as your helmet is disassembled. Firstly, you will need to have plenty of water, some mild detergent and an ultra-fine cleaning cloth, if you don't have one you can substitute it with another softer fabric.
Cleaning The Helmet Visor
If you try to clean it with gloves while riding, you may make the situation worse and risk scratching it. For this reason, it's best to remove the visor from your helmet when you stop riding. At this point, you can use a multi-purpose cleaner and an AGV cloth, or a soft cloth dampened with neutral soap and warm water. Use a brush to more easily clean parts near the fastening mechanism.
Cleaning The Helmet Shell
The same method of cleaning the helmet visor applies to cleaning the helmet shell. When cleaning, it is not only necessary to pay attention to surface dirt, but also to check the helmet for scratches or signs of wear. When cleaning, it is best to use a special cleaner and an AGV cloth, or a soft cloth dampened with water and neutral soap. Don't rub too hard or you may leave scratches. It's best to rub a few times to soften the dirt so you can remove it more easily. Try to avoid using any general purpose cleaning products. They are not specifically designed for helmets and may contain solvents or other corrosive agents that could damage the helmet's exterior paint etc.
Cleaning The Inside Of Your Helmet
Helmet liners come into direct contact with the skin on your face, sometimes for hours, so it makes sense to clean and sanitise your helmet frequently. If the helmet is removable, you can note where the liners are in the helmet before removing them for cleaning to ensure that you can put them back in place after cleaning. You can either hand wash the helmet liner in warm water or put it in the washing machine. During the washing process take care that the maximum temperature is 35°C and use a mild soap. You can also wipe the internal parts of the helmet shell that are covered by the liner with a damp cloth. Afterwards, leave the cleaned helmet parts to air-dry outdoors, but do not expose them to direct heat sources such as sunlight, hair dryers, heaters, etc. Before reassembling, make sure all parts are completely dry to prevent odours and mould.
Installation needs to be done in the reverse order of removal, or according to the manufacturer's instructions. Proper cleaning will make your helmet look brand new.If the internals are badly worn, you will need to consider replacing them completely with a new set.