KIT-CARE GUIDE
KEEP YOUR RIDING GEAR IN SHAPE
#1 Look after your head
The helmet is the most important piece of riding gear. It’s designed to last between five and seven years, before the outer shell gets too brittle and the expanded polystyrene (EPS) liner loses its ability to absorb impacts. Here’s how to keep your lid in top condition and make it last as long as possible:
Check for damage
If it’s been dropped or knocked, it may be cracked. If the exterior is scuffed, check the EPS behind it hasn’t collapsed. There’s no point working on a lid that’s too badly damaged to wear.
Clean the shell
Soak any dried-on filth or flies with wet kitchen roll, then wash with a soft, clean sponge. Don’t use any solvent-based cleaner or degreasers. Washing-up liquid is fine as long as you rinse it off well to remove any detergent salt.
Use cotton buds to get into vents. If you have a flip-front helmet, consider using a silicone lubricant on the mechanism. Take the visor off and clean behind it and around the seal.
Rinse the shell with clean water, let it dry and then polish it (with bike polish). If you’ve missed any damage, you’ll spot it at this stage. Otherwise, you’ll polish out any small scratches and leave a tougher finish that will help protect it.
Sort the visor
Visors get dirty on both sides, so need to be removed for proper cleaning. Soak any dirt or bugs off the outside, then clean it with lukewarm, mildly soapy water – and rinse thoroughly. Don’t dry it with a cloth. If it gets streaky, rinse again under a warm tap. If there’s a Pinlock insert, rinsing that thoroughly with clean water will help keep it working well. While the visor is off the helmet, clean the rubber seal and treat it with a silicone lubricant to keep it supple. Drop-down sun visors can be removed and cleaned with warm water too.
Clean the liner
If the helmet has a removeable liner, take it out carefully. Put it in a net bag, then run it through the washing machine on a delicate cycle. Alternatively, wash it by hand in mild detergent. Always rinse it thoroughly and let it air-dry slowly. If the liner is really dirty, though, consider replacing it with a fresh one.
If the liner is fixed, you could use a helmet-lining refresher spray – or even Febreze. But you’re probably better washing it gently with a mild detergent then showering it to rinse it out.