Motorcycle helmets are durable, protective, and necessary for safe riding. And it’s no secret: motorcycle helmets can get dirty fast. Whether you ride through rain, sand, or dirt, your helmet is at risk of collecting a mess. The outside surface of your helmet, made of a polymer/fiberglass composite, can be easily scratched. In addition, the padding inside the helmet can become stained from sweat, oil, grease, and road grime. When this happens, your helmet won’t look as sharp as it used to, and it may even need to be replaced.
What happens inside the helmet is just as important as what goes on outside the helmet. Proper care and cleaning of motorcycle helmet pads are equally important as regular cleaning and care of the helmet itself. While helmets do need to be replaced every few years, not all helmets are removable, meaning their pads need to be replaced more often than other helmets.
If you’ve ever seen a rider with dirty helmet pads, it’s clear they haven’t been cleaned or cared for. Dirty helmet pads affect overall visibility, especially since helmet pads tend to collect dust and dirt easily. While cleaning a dirty helmet pad is not a small task, it can decrease your enjoyment of race riding, so it’s important to take the time to do it right.
What Are Helmet Pads?
Head accidents and collisions are the number one cause of death in motorcycle crashes. If you’ve ever been riding a motorcycle, this statistic probably hits close to home. Helmet pads provide great protection against these head injuries,
Helmet pads are padding that attach to the top of your hockey helmet to provide additional protection. While all helmets come with some padding, depending on the level of protection you need, the pads can be worn to provide additional cushioning.
Steps on How to Clean Helmet Pad After Race Riding?
Disassemble your helmet and remove helmet accessories. Soak the helmet pads in clean water to wash off dirt and grime. Use shampoo to wash your helmet pads. If the shampoo is good for your head, it is also good for your helmet pads. Using strong detergent may cause irritation and infection head. Do not use fabric softener or another harsh detergent that may cause damage to your helmet pad. Gently brush your helmet pads to remove built-up dirt and grime. Use a soft brush or toothbrush so as not to damage your helmet pads. After brushing the helmet pad, rinse it with clean water. Rinse thoroughly to avoid left-out dirt in your helmet pad. Finally, Dry your helmet pad. Do not use your dryer; if possible, hang it and use air dry. You can also wipe it with a clean cloth and then wait for it to dry.
Why Is It Important to Wash Helmet Pads?
The helmet pads on your motorcycle are extremely important when it comes to your safety. The helmet pads are made of foam, designed to cushion your head, ears, and neck when you crash. However, these foam pads, over time, can absorb moisture and begin to smell. Over time, the foam pads can also become discolored and are prone to picking up dirt, road grime, and bugs. These nasty substances can irritate you, so you must clean your helmet pads regularly.
When Do You Need to Replace Your Motorcycle Helmet?
- Damage Helmet Pads
Damage to a helmet’s foam padding, for instance, can cause it to become less effective in protecting your face. Having the padding replaced or repaired can alleviate this issue.
- Worn-out or Old Helmet pads
Helmet pads are designed to protect your head in all sorts of circumstances. Whether protecting you from the wind or the curb, pads do a lot to mitigate the impacts that impact your head. Over time the pads tend to wear out, and there’s nothing you can do about that once they’ve reached that point. Unfortunately, pads don’t last forever, and they usually need to be replaced every 2-3 years, depending on the amount of use and how well you take care of them.
- Low-Quality Helmet Pad
The helmet pads are the rubbery pieces of your helmet that sit on top of your head. When you crash, the pads cushion the blow to your head and help protect your brain. And if the pads are made from low-quality materials, the results can be fatal.
Can Dirty Helmet Pad Affect Your Performance?
Motorcycle helmet pads are the first line of defense between you and the pavement. Choosing the right helmet padding can mean the difference between a simple scratch and abrasion and a serious head injury. All motorcycle helmets are designed with impact absorption in mind, but the type of helmet padding you choose is just as important as your helmet. The pads inside your helmet play an important part in your comfort and protection.
Can Cause Discomfort
Most motorcycle riders are aware that wearing a helmet is designed to reduce the chance of serious injury when race riding, but it also has another important function: comfort. A comfortable helmet can limit fatigue, reduce pain, and provide greater enjoyment in a competitive ride. A dirty and oily helmet padding can cause discomfort to the rider during the competition. Discomfort with helmet padding may result in poor performance.
Dirty Helmet Pads Can Affect Your Health
Dirty helmet pads can harbor bacteria, mold, fungus, or even worse brain-eating amoebas. These tiny organisms, known as protists, make it into the helmet through sweat, and, if left there, they can cause your helmet to deteriorate faster. Cysts can form that grow and burst, causing inflammation in your eyes and sinuses, and in rare situations, these cysts can rupture, causing an infection.
Conclusion
In conclusion, motorcycle helmet pads can be cleaned easily, but it’s best done regularly. Dust, road grime, and bugs can accelerate wear, eventually leading to eventual cracking or delamination. If your helmet is mounted properly, it should not move much at all during your ride. Over time, the helmet pad may deform, causing it to slip further. If your helmet is not mounted properly, it will move around, resulting in an abrasive, uncomfortable ride.
