How To Clean A Hockey Helmet

When a helmet has gotten visibly dirty or developed an unpleasant smell, it is time to clean it. In that location are plenty of methods for cleaning a helmet to be found in online forums and whispered amidst riders, but are they effective and, more importantly, are they rubber?

To get the definitive answer to this evil-smelling question, nosotros turned to experts to find out how to clean a bike helmet — and what to do to avoid damaging this important slice of protective gear in the process.

The experts nosotros spoke to agreed on ane simple, effective and safe method: Launder the helmet the way you would wash your hair, using mild shampoo or a similarly mild soap. Gloria Hwang, founder and CEO of Thousand says, "The helmet vanquish and padding is best cleaned using balmy soap and water — you volition want to avoid using whatever blazon of harsh cleaning chemicals or solvents. Air drying out of direct sunlight is also all-time."

Johnson's Baby Head-to-Toe Gentle Wash & Shampoo

When it comes to cleaning a helmet, it is of import not to use any products or methods that will compromise the helmet's integrity. Gentle shampoos are a great choice for cleaning helmets — especially if y'all choose, as many people do, to take the helmet into the shower with you post-ride to clean yourself and your helmet all at the aforementioned time! Be sure to rinse the helmet very well after cleaning, so that sudsy sweat doesn't end upwards in your optics during a ride.

April Beard, a helmet product manager at Trek, says, "Cleaning a wheel helmet is easy to do and tin help prolong the life of your helmet. To clean your helmet, we recommend gently paw-washing with cold water and a mild soap." Dr. Bronner'southward is a mild soap that is peculiarly effective at eliminating odors, and volition be a good choice for people whose helmets tend to accept on a sour, unpleasant odor.

All Pattern Towels Quick-Dry White Hand Towels

After washing, towel off the helmet's hard beat out, then brawl the towel upward and place it inside the helmet to absorb moisture from the padding. While sunshine is a natural deodorizer, the experts nosotros spoke to all stressed the importance of avoiding leaving a helmet in straight sunlight to dry, or for odor elimination, considering exposure to excessive estrus can damage the beat or liner.

These instructions are for whatever type of protective helmet. However, if you want a product that is specifically designed to clean the specific blazon of protective helmet you use — from motorcycling helmets to hockey helmets — those tin can exist found. Foam cleaners have a low viscosity that makes it like shooting fish in a barrel to rinse away after cleaning.

Those who like the ease of an aerosol deodorizer should wait for a product designed specifically for helmets, like Bike Brite, to ensure that the product is rubber for use on the helmet itself and when in contact with pare or eyes.

The Muc-Off helmet cleaning kit for motorcycle helmets and other models that feature a protective visor includes a cream cleanser, a visor cleaner and an anti-fog treatment.

Hockey equipment spray can be used on helmets and protective padding to continue gear from smelling foul.

Charles Owen Hat Cleaner is a cleaning spray designed for use on equestrian helmets.

The frequency with which to clean a helmet depends very much on employ; daily riders will desire to clean their helmets more often than someone who rides a bike one time a month for a pleasure outing.

Environmental and biological factors also play a office in how often to clean a helmet. Helmets worn on very hot days, during heavy storms or on heads that are prone to dandruff or excessive oil volition need to exist cleaned more oftentimes.

Given the variety of factors, it's best to utilize the olfactory property and eyeball tests ("Does information technology smell and/or wait dingy?") to determine if a helmet is in demand of cleaning.

What to avoid when cleaning and storing a helmet

In addition to avoiding the use of harsh cleansers and direct sunlight, Beard and Hwang recommend avoiding the following methods and products when cleaning a protective helmet.

• Machine washing
• Harsh soaps and cleaners
• Chemicals such every bit, simply non limited to, petroleum and petroleum products, cleaning agents, paints and adhesives (including stickers)
• Insect repellents that contain DEET

Additionally, when storing a helmet, keep it in a cool and dry location away from direct sunlight and other forms of excessive, prolonged rut such as radiators or space heaters.

"Make sure to store your helmet in a temperate environment when y'all're not wearing it," Hwang says, "so the elements don't affect the durability of the materials. At Thousand, all of our helmets come with free helmet storage bags, for when you're not riding." If your helmet did non come with a storage bag, one can be purchased separately.

Source: https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/home/how-to-clean-bike-helmet

Share this post