How to Properly Clean a Bike Helmet and Avoid Bad Smell

2021-01-04
Solutions for the bad smell of your helmet
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In order to use the extra elements needed to cycle correctly, and to extend their useful life, you must consider how you clean them.

Whether you wear your helmet daily or just once in a while, you must keep it clean in order that it doesn’t start smelling bad. Not cleaning a helmet after every use, letting dirt and bacteria flourish, can become a security risk in the long run, as the helmet’s protections can degrade and stop protecting the cyclist’s helmet as well as they should. Security experts recommend good maintenance, in order to extend the helmet’s life and have the needed protection in case of an accident.

How should a cycling helmet be cleaned? Keep reading to find 6 pieces of advice on helmet cleaning, preventing bad smell and extending your helmet’s life, always in total security and comfort.

6 tips to clean your helmet correctly

Properly cleaning a bike helmet is a chore that won’t take you more than 15 minutes. In turn, it will help keep your helmet in the best possible condition. A list of 6 pieces of advice follows. They should be taken into account when cleaning a bike helmet.

Tips for cleaning your helmet and avoiding bad odours

1. Clean the inside of the hemlet

The inner part of a helmet should be the first thing to clean. Inside a helmet are the pads, that absorb the cyclist’s sweat on every ride. Once you’re back home, clean them thoroughly with lukewarm water, not over 25 ºC, and mild soap. Some cleaning products are very aggressive and can deteriorate the padding and contribute to the helmet’s degradation.

2. Clean the helmet’s side- and chinstraps

Another important part of the helmet that needs to be properly cleaned when you finish riding is the helmet’s adjusting straps. This part also accumulates a lot of sweat as it is always in contact with our face. To clean it correctly, follow the same procedure as mentioned above.

3. Clean the helmet’s shell

A soft cloth will be all you need to clean the helmet’s shell. A microfiber cloth is the best choice. Get it wet with lukewarm water and soap, and rub he whole shell with it. Then use another cloth to remove the excess water from the helmet, and let it air dry.

4. Dry the helmet properly

Once the whole helmet is shining clean, rinse it thoroughly until there’s no trace of soap on it. Once this is accomplished, it must be properly dried. Help yourself with paper towels or a dryer, or let it sundray if sunlight is mild, never letting it stay under it for too long. Keep in mind that if you use a dryer, you must use cold air, because hot air could damage some parts. If your dryer doesn’t have a cold air setting, it’s better not to use it and go for paper towels or air drying instead.

It’s essential to dry the padding thoroughly, so that no humidity remains on them, and install them properly once they are completely dry.

5. Avoid spray cleaners

Spray cleaners should be avoided when cleaning a helmet. These products can contain solvents or alcohol derivatives that are very harmful to the synthetic materials that make up the helmet and could damage them.

Tips for cleaning your helmet and avoiding bad odours

6. Keep the helmet in the right place

Where you keep your helmet when you’re not wearing it is crucial to prevent that it degrades and to extend its useful life. Don’t leave under the sun for too long, as internal components can be deteriorated by its light, and that would be putting you at risk.

It’s recommended that, after you’ve thoroughly cleaned your helmet, you leave it under the sun to dry. Once fully dry, keep it in a fresh, well ventilated place. It’s important that it will be protected from blows or falls.

Tips for cleaning your helmet and avoiding bad odours

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