Motorcycle helmets are probably the single most important – and sometimes most expensive – piece of safety gear a rider can own. Unfortunately, they are often cared for the least. Taking care of your motorcycle helmet is crucial for ensuring its longevity, and one of the simplest ways to keep your helmet in good condition is by regularly cleaning it.
The outside of your helmet can gather various stains while on the road, from thick mud, gritty salt, and an assortment of bugs that have met an unfortunate demise. Whereas the padding and foam lining on the inside of your helmet will soak up perspiration, which can lead to unwanted smells and staining after time.
With regular maintenance, a simple wipe down and air drying usually help clean off most of the unwanted dirt and sweat. Or, if left uncleaned for too long, it may be time for a deeper clean.
Table of content
- What do you need to clean a motorcycle helmet?
- How to clean your motorcycle helmet
- How to clean motorcycle helmet visor
- How to clean the inside of a helmet
What do you need to clean a motorcycle helmet?
While many products on the market are specifically designed for helmet care, You can get the job done with some basic items around the house. The main products that are essential for helmet cleaning are:
How to clean your motorcycle helmet
To ensure the helmet is cleaned completely, you want to start by removing the visor and inner pads, as this will make it easier to access all areas of the helmet to ensure all dirt is removed from even the more hard to reach areas.
Take a microfibre cloth and soak it in warm water. Gently wring out any excess water to avoid streaking and wipe away the layer of dirt. If the dirt is old or extremely tough you can use the warm cloth to soften the mud by draping the cloth over the muddied area and leaving it for around 15 - 20 minutes before wiping again. Ensure to never use a solvent or petro-chemical-based product as this can cause damage to the coating.
Once all areas of the helmet exterior have been cleaned, finish off using a clean microfibre cloth to wipe over the entirety to dry it. Once dried completely you can set the shell aside and move to the visor.
How to clean a motorcycle helmet visor
Visors are especially delicate as they often have UV, anti-fog, or anti-glare protective coatings, so it is important to ensure any cleaner you use is compatible with the material the visor is made of. You can purchase specialised cleaning products or visor wipes to assist with cleaning, but a microfibre cloth with warm water does a good job if they are unavailable.
Remove the Pinlock insert and spray the visor front and back with the cleaning solution (or warm water), wipe it with a clean microfibre cloth, then dry it with another.
Internal sun visors can have complicated mechanisms, so it is important not to remove these as they could be difficult to reattach and can void warranties if removed. To clean visors while they are still attached, simply drop the sun visor and follow the same process as mentioned above for the main visor.
How to clean the inside of a helmet
Over time, the inside of your helmet can become worn and foisty due to perspiration. You can manage this with regular maintenance by using cleaning products such as interior foams or helmet sanitisers however, the best way to remove these odours for good is by giving the interior a deep clean.
Fill a container with warm water and add some liquid soap. Baby shampoo is a great option as it is free of many chemicals that are found in other soaps and detergents.
1. Soak the inner pads and liners in this soap solution, then gently squeeze the excess water to remove all the impurities. Repeat this process as necessary.
2. Once the pads have been cleaned, rinse the pads and liners with clean water, ensuring that all traces of the soap have been removed. You can repeat this step until the water runs clear.
3. Squeeze out any excess water, but try to avoid wringing the pads out too hard, as this may cause them to distort and lose their shape, making it difficult to refit.
4. Once rinsed, place them on a clean towel and allow them to air dry. This can take a couple of hours to dry completely. You can speed this process up a little by using a small fan. However, we recommend leaving them overnight.
Shop new motorcycle helmets from Bikers World Store
Refreshing your helmet with a proper deep clean can give you that new helmet feeling, but regular maintenance is the best solution.
If you’re looking for a quality helmet cleaning kit to get you started we have a selection of cleaning products available on our store.
If your helmet is past the point of no return and no longer looks brand new after a deep clean, it might be time to invest in a new one. Here at Bikers World Store, we have a huge selection of motorcycle helmets from leading brands that would be a perfect replacement.
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