Skateboarding is one of the most extreme sports. It can be fatal sometimes. So, safety gears are a must while you are skateboarding. Among those gears, a safety helmet is the most important one. You should wear it each time you are skating. Naturally comes the necessity to clean it at a regular interval. As stated, skateboarding is an extreme sport, it often causes you to sweat. Scalp sweat can make your helmet smelly. If it’s a sunny day, the helmet must feel like a hot oven which also causes sweat, fungi, and bacteria on all types of protective equipment, especially helmets. Therefore, extra care must be taken when cleaning the helmet during this Covid 19 pandemic. To prevent bacteria and disinfectants from fully adhering to the helmet, the helmet must be properly cleaned. If this is new to you, you are probably wondering how you can properly clean the inside of your helmet. Don’t worry, this article serves this sole purpose. Here we will try to guide you on how to clean a skateboard helmet. Without any further ado, let’s jump into business.
Things You Need to Know:
Helmets perform a very difficult task. The helmet does not only provide protection, but also provides driving and working comfort maintains a moderate climatic temperature on the head, and acts as a shield to protect the face from dust, debris, insects, and the like. Cleaning the helmet pad not only helps keep the helmet clean, hygienic and odorless, but also helps keep it clean and durable for long periods of time. Inside helmets, there are soft foams which are called helmet pads. The helmet cushion is made of low-density soft stretch foam covered with a soft cloth placed next to the rider’s head. These pads are commonly used to provide comfort and support to the user. They are usually between the EPS foam liner and the rider’s head. The thickness and softness of the pad depending on the helmet. These helmet pads are completely removable, washable, and replaceable. Not only do these pads give you comfort, but they also give you a good fit. These pads also help you customize the fit according to your head size.
With advanced technology, these pads are upgraded too. The modern helmet pads have an anti-microbial capacity which prevents any micro-organism growth. They also have a sweat-absorbing feature. It stops sweat to drip down. Although these helmets may provide protection for your head against sweat or harmful microbial, you should regularly remove, wash and dry them.
Steps to Clean Helmet Pads:
The cleaning doesn’t take much. You will be needing a wash cloth, some mild shampoo, an old toothbrush, a plastic tub or box (if you don’t want to use the sink), and some dry clothes. Let’s take a look at the simple steps you have to follow.
- As we are talking about removable and washable helmet pads, your very first task would be to remove the pads from the helmet. Now, be careful while removing them. Some helmets might have some tricky buttons to remove the pads. Get them out of the helmet without damaging them.
- The next step is to make a soapy solution. Pour the amount of water needed to immerse the helmet in the basin or a plastic tub. Then add a liquid baby shampoo or another mild cleanser to the water. Pour warm water from the tower. Do not use a strong detergent as this could damage the helmet padding. Apply an adequate amount of shampoo, not too much but little. The fragrance in the shampoo will help to neutralize the sweaty smell. Shake by hand until the water is sparkling. You can do the same with your kitchen sink. To do this, you need to close the drain line from the sink before opening the sink faucet.
- Now, soak the helmet and pads in soapy water. When you leave them in the water for an adequate amount of time, you will see the dirt and debris are removed and the clean water will turn brownish. Along with the dirt, the smell will be eradicated too. The shampoo will give the pads a refreshing smell.
- To get the best result, use your hands. Gently rub the pads together. Rinse them thoroughly. After that, squeeze them to get the extra water out of them.
- Now take an old toothbrush. Wipe the plastic parts with a soapy cloth or the toothbrush with soap on it. If the cover is removable, remove it and clean it thoroughly. Even with constant drying and spot cleaning, small cracks are often overlooked. Clean it thoroughly on a regular basis.
- Rub the straps together. Put some soaps more if there is any kind of stain on it. Give some extra effort to the chin straps. Usually, they absorb the majority amount of sweat.
- When everything is clean, rinse with fresh tap water to remove dirt and soapy odors. While washing, use clean water to move the helmet and touch every corner of the helmet.
- After cleaning and rinsing with clean water, you have to dry your equipment. Take a clean towel or soft cotton cloth that can absorb water. Wipe the plastic part of your helmet, the chin straps, the pads, everything. Press the towel or the cloth to absorb as much as water you can.
Some Pro Tips:
The aforementioned process is the step-by-step guide to clean your skateboard helmet. If you follow them, you will get your desired result. But some little tips and tricks never hurt.
- Never put your helmet in a dishwasher or a washing machine. Some people put them in the washing machine to avoid trouble. But remember, this will only cost you even more. If the pads are put into the washing machine, they get ruined. They might fall apart. Even worse, if they are put up with clothes. The pads may get tears and will get wrinkles. So, a washing machine or dishwasher is a big no-no for helmet pads.
- Do not use any chemical to eradicate the smell. They often don’t work that well and leave the pads with an even more unpleasant odor.
- As mentioned, always use Luke-warm water. Do not use hot water. Hot water can destroy the thickness of the pad and also make the helmet colorless.
- Stop using harsh detergents. The pads are delicate and any mild shampoo will work
- If the smell is strong and doesn’t go away by the shampoo, you can use vinegar to neutralize the smell. Add a cup of vinegar with soapy water. It possesses a germ-disinfectant power. It doesn’t have a strong smell on its own but can neutralize the sweat smell. It’s better not to try to remove the smell completely for it might leave an adverse effect.
- Use a damp cloth to dry the device and hang it in a dry, well-lit place with plenty of air. Do not leave it on a heat sink or radiator. The pads will melt. ensure long drying time (about 1 day). Make sure you clean it when you don’t need it. So that you are not in a rush and have enough time to dry it out properly.
How Frequently Should You Wash:
The process of cleaning a helmet is very easy, so don’t skip it and don’t wear a dirty helmet. Experts recommend cleaning your skating helmet every three to four months if you use it roughly. However, if you use it regularly, you can clean it every 6 months. Most people replace helmet pads when they think the old pads are old. Therefore, there is no specific time period. However, it is necessary to keep it clean because it will keep the condition of the helmet for a long time.
Conclusion:
We hope this step-by-step guide helps you with your next helmet cleaning. Helmets are very important and you have spent huge savings on them. To protect your investment, you need to take extra steps and make sure to take care of it. Keeping clean and hygienic not only prolongs life but also helps maintain a healthy lifestyle. You don’t have to make a lot of effort when cleaning a skateboard helmet. This process only takes a few minutes. The dry part can take all day, but at the slightest sacrifice to keep the helmet clean and odorless. No need to buy deep cleansing products. Use what your family has and clean your skateboard helmet with a simple scrub. If you are a regular skateboarder, you should take a great deal of care of your safety gear including your helmet. As said earlier, the cleaning and drying process often takes a whole day or sometimes even two days. It will be a good practice if you keep an extra set of safety gear at hand. You should have a backup helmet at least. A clean helmet, with a refreshing smell, will give you immense pleasure while riding your skateboard. You have to take extra care if it’s summertime. Follow our guide thoroughly and keep yourself and your helmet safe.