Your helmet is the single most important piece of safety gear you own as a motorcyclist, so it’s important to take care of it. And whether you just flew through a swarm of gnats or your helmet’s lining is starting to get a little funky, one part of proper motorcycle helmet care is cleaning your helmet when it needs it.
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In this article, we’ll give you a quick overview of how to keep your motorcycle helmet clean. The process is a relatively simple one that experienced and novice riders alike can do at home with some standard household supplies, and the same process can also be used for other powersports helmets like ATV helmets.
Why Clean Your Helmet?
The visor and outer shell of a helmet come in contact with all kinds of dirt, grime and debris. From insects to soil to rainwater, your helmet takes it all—and one look at a well-used helmet will tell most people why cleaning is so necessary.
The inside of a helmet can get pretty gross as well, since it’s constantly in contact with your skin, hair, sweat and breath when you’re riding. Thus, a good helmet cleaning should include both the inside and outside of the helmet.
1. Assemble the essential motorcycle helmet cleaning supplies.
First, get the things you’ll need to clean your helmet. A typical list includes:
- Microfiber cloth
- Gentle, non-abrasive cleaner such as baby shampoo
- Toothbrush
- Warm water
You can also use one of the many motorcycle helmet cleaning products available on the market. However, note that there are some things you should not use to clean your helmet because they can damage it, including:
- Solvent-based cleaners such as rubbing alcohol
- Petroleum distillate cleaners such as mineral spirits
- Ammonia-based cleaners such as glass cleaner
Set up your helmet in a place where you won’t mind splashing some water around, like a kitchen or garage. You’ll also want to find the owner’s manual for your helmet and keep it at the ready since some steps in the process work differently for every individual helmet.
2. Take off any helmet accessories.
Remember to remove any external devices or accessories you’ve added to your helmet, like a motorcycle helmet intercom system or motorcycle helmet speakers. (If you have a Cardo Systems product, you can find out how to safely remove it in your Cardo owner’s manual.) If you’re washing an ATV or dual-sport helmet, remove the peak as well.
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3. Remove and clean your helmet’s interior lining.
If your helmet has a removable liner like most helmets today, all you’ll need to do is pull the lining and cheek pads out (taking note of where everything goes) and wash them. You can either use your washing machine (on a delicate cycle, using gentle detergent), or you can hand wash them using warm, soapy water. Let your pads and liner air dry rather than putting them in the dryer.
If your helmet’s liner is not removable, you’ll have to wash your helmet all at once. Using a tub that’s big enough to submerge your helmet in, mix up some warm water and baby shampoo and then dunk your helmet for several minutes at a time to allow the water and soap to penetrate the lining. Scrub gently with a microfiber cloth, rinse thoroughly and then let it air dry.
4. Prep and clean the outside of your helmet.
First, put a warm, damp microfiber cloth on top of your helmet and leave it there for at least 30 minutes to help loosen any caked-on gunk. Then, use another damp microfiber cloth to gently wipe down the helmet’s exterior until it’s clean. Use a toothbrush to reach hard-to-get places and, at the end, apply a coat of automotive wax to your helmet to help keep it clean in the future.
5. Clean your face shield, sun shield and vents.
Your face shield and sun shield can also easily get fouled with dirt and grime, so take the time to gently wipe them down with a soft cloth. Don’t scrub them with anything abrasive, as you might scratch the visor.
If you have a pinlock shield, take special care to read the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions, as they can be easily damaged during cleaning if you’re not careful. If your helmet’s vents are clogged, give them a quick blast from an air compressor and a good cleaning with a cotton swab.
6. Put it all back together.
When you’re done, reassemble the pieces of your helmet. Make sure that you’ve thoroughly dried the nooks and crannies with a microfiber cloth—you don’t want moisture accumulating inside the helmet.
If you’ve been putting off cleaning your helmet, find an hour or two on a weekend and get it done. The process will go more quickly than you expect, especially if you put on your favorite music or TV show—and you’ll have a sparkling-clean helmet waiting for you when you’re done.
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What is the most effective non destructive way to clean the inside of an helmet? I have always used shampoo of some kind thinking it would be easier on the material than something like dawn. However, it really does not do the job. Tired of getting zits on my cheeks.
Just curious what others do…
blupupher
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I use the hand soap that is by my kitchen sink.
Cycledelic Relic
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I thro my liner pieces in the washer with my other riding gear. No problems in over 20 years.
Laundry detergent
DFW_Warrior
Hmmmm.....
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Oxyclean works wonders with all my helmet liner. And my dirt helmets get really nasty, so that is saying something.
Irishcoffee
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For all my washable gear I use regular laundry soap and a couple ounces of Simple Green added to the bleach dispenser of our machine. Sparkling clean and a super fresh smell.
William Wolfen
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I use dawn and hand wash, screening with a dish brush if needed. Air dry. One time through the washing machine messed up the foam in the pads for me, so never again.
Boulder Ed
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I end up smelling whatever soap I've used for 6 months after I clean a liner. This time I'm gonna rinse it way better. maybe do a washing machine gentle cycle on the liner.
brewer90
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I've been using this stuff for the last decade. Just had to buy my second can. It either goes a long way or I don't clean my liners enough.
https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/motorex-helmet-care-spray?sku_id=
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I've been using this stuff for the last decade. Just had to buy my second can. It either goes a long way or I don't clean my liners enough.
https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/motorex-helmet-care-spray?sku_id=
I use the same stuff on the pieces that can’t be removed. Those that can be go in the washer.
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Thanks folks! With my mostly bald head, sweat and oils go straight into the padding. It seems I just need stronger soap. Maybe some of that helmet care spray would also work to space out cleanings a little more.
Tom
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Doo rag will cut back on a lot of the funk transfer into the liner…
Cycledelic Relic
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Ive used Silky Comfot Liners for years. Double layer but light. Contoured on the sides to cover your ears...kinda like an open face helmet.
They work great. There is also a single layer cotton Silky that I use in hot weather but its not holding up as good.
These were formerly known as Bettys Slicks waaay bac in the previous century
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Washing machine set to hand wash cycle! Use something scent free!
William Wolfen
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Thanks folks! With my mostly bald head, sweat and oils go straight into the padding. It seems I just need stronger soap. Maybe some of that helmet care spray would also work to space out cleanings a little more.
I've had the same problem. I now ride in a skull cap I got off Amazon. Makes a difference in the helmet and my head.
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my mostly bald head
so you don't have a forehead, you've got a twelve head? just playing..I heard that one just this week. my first time trying it
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i wash all the removable giblets. Cleaning what can't go in the washer is the biggest challenge for me.
SpiritAtBay
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I end up smelling whatever soap I've used for 6 months after I clean a liner. This time I'm gonna rinse it way better. maybe do a washing machine gentle cycle on the liner.
Putting the liner in a mesh bag before putting it in the machine is a good idea.
Gentle cycle & your machine might have an extra rinse cycle too.
A vinegar rinse, followed by a thorough clear water rinse will strip away any remaining oil and soap.
Mad Mac
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After I put my earplugs in
I always tied on a 27 inch bandanna
pirate style over my head and ears
.
Made it easier to
get the full coverage helmet on,
prevented "helmet hair"
and kept the helmet lining clean.
A second bandanna, bandit style,
covered my mouth and nose.
Kept stinging sand and insects
off my tender neck,
prevented collar chafing
and was added comfort in cold weather.
Throw the sweaty bandannas in the wash.
Both bandannas were solid black
and together left only a slit for my eyes,
resembling a terrorist.
jmdaniel
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Putting the liner in a mesh bag before putting it in the machine is a good idea.
This.
The liners in my Shoei helmets come out in three pieces, they get put in a mesh bag and get tossed in the washer with regular laundry. Air dry and snap them back in.
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Riding being my sole means of commuting for about 25-years I found that I wore out the insides of my helmets. I started wearing a head sock (I wear socks on my feet and my boots last longer). Really extended the life of internal helmet parts. Fortunately in my last few helmets all the liners including the neck roll came out.
Putting all the innards in a freezer bag with warm water and some shampoo, the whole set up can be massaged. The dirty water is shocking. It takes several iterations until the water comes clean. Then roll all the bits in a towel to get most of the water out. Hanging all the parts on a box-fan face finishes the drying.
Also like already mentioned, a mesh bag holding the padding put in the washing machine on warm gentle works too.
I’ve mounted a 9” diameter fan horizontally on the wall of my suit-up/down room. I store my helmet on it. Helps keep it from stinking. Also, I can hang my head sock on the shelf above and the air exiting the full face hole dries it as well.
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ASSOS cycling kit soap is the bees knees. Silky feel and pleasant smell after.
Yeeha! Stephen
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The removable parts I throw into one of thsoe mesh bags for women's undergarments and into the clothes washing machine.
The non-removable parts... pull the Sena speakers and stuff and into the dishwasher is goes.
William Wolfen
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The removable parts I throw into one of thsoe mesh bags for women's undergarments and into the clothes washing machine.
The non-removable parts... pull the Sena speakers and stuff and into the dishwasher is goes.
I can't fathom putting a multi hundred dollar helmet in the dishwasher.