Learning how to clean your bike helmet is an important yet underrated skill. While we might see cycling as a hobby or a mode of transport, it’s still a form of exercise and when you exercise, you sweat, even if only in small amounts.
This sweat builds up over time and can lead to odours and skin irritation. In the same way that we clean our cycling clothes, we need to clean our helmets too.
Though it might seem self-explanatory, there are a few easy mistakes to avoid and some simple tricks that can help make the process easier and keep you and your helmet happy and healthy.
Do I need to clean my bicycle helmet?
Bike helmets are designed to sit close to the skin to help keep them secure and provide protection, and so they will inevitably absorb some sweat.
Sweat will accumulate over time and, while it won’t initially cause problems, it can lead to unwanted odours. It can also cause skin irritation where it’s gathered and affect the sweat-wicking properties of the padding.
Dirt and grime can also build up, dependent on what type of riding you do, and the combination of all these factors can lead to bacteria and fungus growth. It’s important to know how to effectively clean your helmet to eliminate these risks and keep your helmet hygienic – after all, you are putting it directly on your head.
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How do I clean my bike helmet?
What you’ll need
• Mild soap such as dish soap or a helmet-specific cleaner like Muc-Off Foam Fresh
• Warm water
• Bucket/bath/bowl
• Soft/microfibre cloth
• Sponge
• Soft brush eg, an old toothbrush
We’ll tackle one section at a time. The different areas interact with your skin in different ways and will need varying levels of cleaning, as well as some areas requiring specific types of treatment.
Step 1: Padding
The padding is typically the area that gathers the most sweat as it sits close to the skin and is often designed to have sweat-wicking properties. As such, many manufacturers make this padding removeable so that it can be thoroughly cleaned.
If you can, remove the padding from the helmet. Some brands will specify whether this can be put in a washing machine, which will always need to be on a 30°C or below gentle wash to prevent the padding from shrinking. If you do use a washing machine, it’s a good idea to put the padding inside a mesh bag to protect it.
Machine washing can cause the padding to separate so, unless it is really dirty, we would recommend washing it by hand. If the padding cannot be removed, it must be hand-washed as the helmet itself must not go in the washing machine.
If you are washing the padding by hand, soak it in warm, soapy water and clean with the sponge. Squeeze out the excess and leave to air dry.
Step 2: Helmet interior
Once the padding is out, use the cloth and warm, soapy water to wipe the interior – try to avoid soaking the helmet for too long as the shell is attached by glue, which may begin to de-bond if left in hot water for a very long time.
The inside of the helmet won’t typically get as dirty as the padding but dirt and grime can get in through ventilation holes so it’s worth cleaning anyway.
Step 3: Straps
Unlike the padding, bike helmet straps are rarely detachable. Use the sponge to soak the straps and lay them on a flat surface to scrub. If the straps are very sweaty, it’s worth getting a soft brush to really agitate them to get them fully clean.
Step 4: Helmet exterior
Take a lightly dampened cloth and wipe over the outside of the helmet to remove excess dirt and run-off from cleaning the rest of the helmet. Wipe gently so as to avoid damaging the lacquer or paintwork.
Leave to dry in a warm, well-ventilated place and re-install the padding once everything has completely dried.
Key mistakes to avoid
- Don’t machine-wash your helmet – while it may be safe to put some types of padding in the washing machine, it is never safe to machine-wash the helmet itself. This can cause invisible damage that will affect the helmet’s safety, rendering it useless. (Same goes for putting it in the dishwasher or tumble dryer, though we imagine you wouldn’t do that anyway.)
- Don’t put your helmet padding in the tumble dryer – the high temperatures from a dryer (or washing above 30°C) will cause the padding to shrink and warp and will likely mean it no longer attaches correctly to your helmet.
- Don’t use petroleum-based cleaning products – aggressive cleaning products, particularly those with a petroleum base, will cause damage to the expanded polystyrene (EPS) liner which can be invisible to the eye but render the helmet less effective. The same goes for insect repellents that contain DEET. Either use mild soap or helmet-specific cleaning products such as Muc-Off’s Helmet Care Kit.
- Don’t submerge the helmet for long periods - the polycarbonate shell is bonded to the EPS liner with glue which will begin to break down after soaking in hot water for a long time. To avoid, ensure you only submerge the helmet for short periods and in lukewarm water.
Helmet-specific cleaning products
While soap and water will do the trick, sometimes it’s nice to have the reassurance of a dedicated cleaning product to ensure you’re using the right materials. There aren’t many specific helmet cleaners out there but Muc-Off does make a dedicated kit.
It’s primarily listed for use with motorbike helmets but we got in touch with Muc-Off who confirmed that it's bicycle helmet-friendly as well. The Foam Fresh cleaner is the essential part and can be purchased separately, but you might find the visor/goggle cleaner and anti-fog spray useful for cycling sunglasses. Double win if you also own a moto.
How do I look after my bike helmet?
Keeping your helmet clean is one of the easiest ways to extend its life and keep it in a usable condition but here are some extra tips for looking after it:
- Store away from direct heat and sunlight
- Avoid dropping it/keep in a protective case
- Dry after sweaty/rainy rides and keep in a dry place
- Replace every three to five years or after a crash
You know how to keep them clean, now see our guide to all the best road and gravel bike helmets
