When you get home from a long ride, the first thing you do is take your helmet off. But it’s also important to put in some effort and clean it as well, especially if you have been riding through dusty areas or have been wearing it for several months. In order to keep your motorcycle helmet looking as good as new, follow these steps on a regular basis:
Table of Contents
1. Remove Any Electronic Accessories From The Helmet
Take out any electronic accessories including speakers and Bluetooth devices that might be attached to the inside of the visor. After removing them, take a damp cloth and wipe down the interior lining until it looks clean. Also, take a can of compressed air and spray it into all vent holes gently so no water gets inside later when we immerse the helmet in water.
2. Dismantle The Helmet
Take out all visor screws and gently lift up the visor from its hinges. Make a note of how many of each screw is used, their locations and sizes to ensure proper reassembly later. Then take off any other bolt or clasp that may be holding your helmet together. If you have a good quality helmet with an internal sun visor, you can also remove it carefully.
3. Clean The Outer Shell Covering
Now immerse the entire outer shell of the helmet in water and use a toothbrush or similar scrubbing device on it for around 15 minutes until the shell looks clean again from outside. Use dishwashing soap to make this more efficient if necessary but make sure the helmet shell is fully dry before moving on to the next step.
4. Tidy Up The Vent Channels
Gently clean out any grit and dirt from the vent holes using a toothbrush or similar tool, these can get clogged with hair and dust after a while which may not look appealing. If you have air vents on top of your helmet, make sure they are pointing upwards for adequate drying later. Also lift out any visor internal parts if possible such as sun visors, decorative trims, etc., and place them separately in a safe location where they won’t get lost or broken until ready to reassemble later.
5. Prepare For Interior Lining Cleaning
If your helmet interior is made of leather, it’s a good time to clean that using leather cleaning solution, leave this for around 5-10 minutes and dry with a towel afterward. You can also use a small amount of mild dish soap if you have a cloth or sponge available.
6. Immerse The Inner Liner In The Water Tub
Turn the helmet upside down so the inner lining is facing downwards. Fill up a large water basin or tub with warm water and gently immerse the entire inner liner inside, allow to soak in the water for around 10 minutes then take out and squeeze all of the excess water from it by hand until damp but not dripping wet anymore.
7. Wash The Clothing With Clean Water
Apply dish soap or laundry detergent to the inner lining of your motorcycle helmet. Use a toothbrush or similar tool to remove any dirt and grime that has accumulated on it during your ride. Once clean, rinse with water thoroughly then allow ~24 hours for drying.
8. Clean Other Detached Parts Using A Cloth
Use a cloth to gently wipe down smaller detachable parts such as visor internal trims and sun visors. if they are made from plastic or rubber material you can use dishwashing soap or mild hand soaps to clean them up. Allow around 5 minutes of time for them to dry before reassembling the next step.
9. Cleaning The Visor
If needed, immerse the exterior visor in water using the same steps as described earlier. Take a damp cloth and carefully wipe down any external dirt or grime on both sides of the visor, it’s recommended to use dish soap for this step if needed. After cleaning it thoroughly allow 24 hours of drying before reassembling the next step.
10. Reassemble The Helmet Parts
Place each piece back where they originally were so they are secure enough but not too hard to remove again later for routine washing at least once every month or two depending on your usage situation. Doing this also ensures you don’t forget anything, since many helmets have small pieces that can easily be misplaced during dismantling like decorative trim around the visors. Once everything is returned into place, connect all the helmet straps and latches, now your helmet is as good as new.
How Often Should You Clean Your Helmet?
The frequency of cleaning your helmet depends on how often you use it. It’s a good idea to clean it at least once a month, especially if you ride every day or frequently get caught in the rain. This prevents dirt and grime from getting caked inside your helmet and compromising its protective properties.
When Should You Replace Your Helmet?
The helmet has reached its lifetime when signs of damage or deterioration are visible. For example, cracks in the outer shell coverings, poor ventilation performance (which can lead to overheating). If you’re unsure about your helmet’s current condition it’s recommended to seek professional advice from a motorcycle dealer.
By following the steps in this guide you will be able to easily maintain and keep your helmet in peak condition for years of safe riding enjoyment.