Helmet & Gear Hygiene: How to Keep Your Riding Equipment Clean and Safe

Maintaining the hygiene and safety of your helmet & gear is a must for a conscious rider. These are the most important for a bike's safety. The essential riding gear for a motorbiker includes a helmet, gloves, shoes, jacket, pants, rain gear, reflective gear, etc. Riding gear comes into contact with various environmental factors, including dust, dirt, sweat, rainwater, sunlight, and bacteria. If not cleaned regularly, it can lead to skin infections, the spread of germs and diseases, safety risks, and performance deterioration.

Following hygiene rules will help you get long-lasting performance from your riding gear. Additionally, maintaining them properly will make your riding safer and more comfortable. This blog discusses in detail the hygiene rules of helmets and gear and how to keep your riding equipment clean and safe. It's not enough to buy expensive, high-quality helmets and gear, but it's also essential to keep them clean and in good condition.

Helmet and Riding Gear Care and Hygiene

1. Clean your helmet regularly

A dirty helmet distracts you and increases your risk of injury. The padding and ventilation system inside the helmet accumulates more dirt. Bacteria and fungi accumulate on the pads, increasing your health risk, and dirt collects in the ventilation system, reducing the helmet's lifespan. If the inner liner of the helmet can be removed, remove it at least twice a month and clean it with lukewarm water and shampoo. Clean the dust accumulated in the ventilation holes. Dry it well after washing. If the lining cannot be opened, clean it with shampoo once a week. Use an antibacterial spray to eliminate odors after drying.

Use a helmet cleaner or clean water to clean the visor and outer shell of the helmet. Use a microfiber cloth for wiping; it won't scratch. Do not use detergents or glass cleaners, as they contain chemical elements that can damage the coating on the helmet visor.

2. Jacket and Pants Care

Motorcyclists wear textile or leather jackets depending on the weather. It is best to clean textile jackets by hand with a simple detergent. Washing in a washing machine can damage the waterproof layer. Do not dry in direct sunlight.

Use leather cleaner to clean leather gear. Leather jackets cannot be cleaned with detergent. Use a leather conditioner to prevent cracking.

3. Glove and Boot Care

Gloves and boots retain moisture for a long time, even after sweating and rain. If not cleaned and dried properly, odors, bacteria, or fungi can grow inside gloves and boots. This can cause skin infections.

Clean boots with a simple brush. Use a deodorizer spray to eliminate sweat odor in boots. Sprinkle baking soda after using gloves; it will absorb sweat and moisture. If you need to wash them, use a mild shampoo or soap. If you don't need to use gloves and boots for a few days, pack them with silica gel.

4. Care of other riding equipment

It is also essential to take care of riding equipment such as rain gear, reflective gear, armor, or protectors. If not cleaned regularly or left unused for a long time, rain gear can burst. Reflective gear is handy on dark, foggy, or rainy days. Reflective gear becomes dull if left unused for a long time. It is necessary to keep armor or protectors clean regularly to prevent knee and elbow injuries.

Some more tips for keeping helmets and riding gear clean

- Make a habit of wearing a balaclava or head mask under your helmet.
- Do not store helmets and riding gear in confined spaces.
- Use an antibacterial spray to protect against bacteria.
- Use a microfiber or soft cloth to wipe the helmet.
- Avoid detergents, dishwashers, and bath soaps.
- Do not share your own helmet with anyone else.
- Never store wet gear until it has dried.

Final Thought

Helmet and gear get dirty quickly with regular use. If they are not cleaned regularly, they become unsuitable for use. Proper helmet and riding gear care not only protects your health, but also increases your confidence in preventing accidents. If the helmet and gear are cleaned regularly, dried well, and stored correctly, you will be protected from sweat odor, bacteria, and fungal infections. A conscious rider must periodically clean their riding equipment.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How often should you clean your bike helmet?

Clean your bike helmet thoroughly at least once a month. If you ride regularly in hot weather and dusty environments, you should clean your helmet 2-3 times a month. Clean the helmet and visor after each use.

2. How should you clean your helmet?

If the inner liner of the helmet can be removed, remove it and clean it with lukewarm water and shampoo. Clean the dust accumulated in the ventilation holes. Dry it well after washing. If the lining cannot be opened, clean it with shampoo once a week.

3. What is the way to remove the smell of the helmet?

Use an antibacterial or freshener spray to remove the helmet's smell. You can sprinkle baking soda onto the helmet after washing it.

4. How to clean the visor of the helmet?

Use a helmet cleaner or clean water to clean the helmet visor. Use a microfiber cloth for wiping; it won't scratch. Do not use detergent or glass cleaner.

5. How to keep riding gear clean?

It is best to clean textile jackets by hand with a simple detergent. Use leather cleaner to clean leather gear. Clean boots with a simple brush. Use a deodorizing spray to eliminate odors from boots and gloves.