All cyclists need to understand the importance of cleaning Bicycle Helmet. This is the most common mistake all cyclists do and do not pay attention to cleaning bicycle helmets. The question that strikes them is ‘How to wash bicycle helmets?‘
Cleaning of bicycle helmet is easy. The cleaning is personal and is ideally done yourself. The washing options are hand wash and machine wash, detergent options are the regular ones at home and in order to avoid infection an anti bacterial spray can be used. The cleaning should be done at least once after 30 days of use. Before that we need to understand how a bicycle helmet is made.
How is my bicycle helmet made?
I was very curious to know how the bicycle helmet was made. It becomes very clear on why we should wash the helmet pads regularly. Here are different parts of a bicycle helmet:
Shell
Shell is the outer casing that we see with our eyes. This is fibre glass moulded casing that houses / anchors all other parts. The main use of the shell is to take full impact of a crash and not to break or disfigure.
Liner or Pads
The casing houses the liner or pads. The pads or liner is made of Expanded PolyPropylene (EPP) or Expanded Polyurethane (EPU or PU) foam and absorbs the massive force of the crash. The shell takes the first impact but cannot stop the crash force to travel to the skull. Liner absorbs most of the force and prevents it passing to skull thereby providing life saving protection. The liner is cut in the design of the shell and generally is in one piece attached to the inner part of shell.
Fitting Ring
In the rear and inside the casing there is a fitting ring operable by a circular knob that is used to tighten or loosen the helmet after it is set on the head. It should be adequately tightened to ensure that neither is the helmet loose-fit on head or too tight so as to interfere with blood circulation.
Strap
Chin strap is in two parts near each ear and anchored on the inner-shell. It holds the helmet tightly in place after it is locked near the chin. The strap is made of nylon and absorbs moisture and sweat. The strap on either side has two ends at the top separated by 2-3 inches that converge into one and is anchored in the lock.
Strap Lock
Strap lock ensures that the straps are secured below the chin and can be removed/locked without looking at them. It is made of hard plastic.
Detachable Visors
Some bicycle helmets come with detachable visors that are press fitted at left and right side of shell outer.
How is Liner / Pad attached to the shell?
Liner is either permanently pasted with a glue or is attached with a hook-loop or velcro strip on the inside of the shell.
Why should I wash my bicycle helmet?
I find cycling as very intense physical activity and it is natural to sweat profusely. In the cold climate we wear warm jackets to fight the cold weather and generally believe that the body does not sweat. This is misnomer. The body sweats regardless of weather conditions. The intensity may vary. The bicycle helmet has a padding or liner inside that fits on the head. The direct contact with hair results in sweat or moisture to be soaked in the pad. This accumulates over a period of time and becomes a repository of bacteria.
How does the helmet get dirty?
Sweat is not the only factor that makes the pad dirty. When you cycle in different terrains the helmet is exposed to pollution of different kind such as dust, smoke, soot suspended in the air and rain water that gets deposited on the pads. Over a period of time this gets mixed with sweat and moisture and the deposits, though very small in quantity are absorbed by the pad. This is ideal for bacteria to develop.
What will happen if bicycle helmet is not cleaned regularly?
When I started cycling about four years back, I did not check on cleaning the helmet. One day when I was washing my cycle, I just put a foaming detergent on the pads and rubbed it vigorously and soaked it in a bucket with clean water. After a while when the foam had settled, I noticed the colour of water. Instead of clean water it was muddy and dark. It was then I realised that what seemingly was a ‘clean’ helmet, it actually was very dirty. If the bicycle helmets are not cleaned regularly, the dust, grime, sweat, smoke and suspended matter will settle on pads and form layers. This is ideal nursery for bacteria.
Hygiene related to bicycle helmets
I started noting the different handling a helmet undergoes on a typical cycling day. Wearing, contact with surface of head, sweaty hair, removing and hanging on cycle during halts or keeping it in ground, accidental falling and rolling of helmet on surface etc. exposes the helmet to various bacteria. After a cycling session, just hanging it or storing in a shade further worsens the hygiene. Helmet and helmet pads should be treated with the same care as we have for personal hygiene. Frequent washing, anti bacterial treatment or a simple Dettol or Savlon wash is good.
How to Wash Bicycle Helmet?
I assume that you know if the liner is detachable or is fixed. If it is a detachable liner then washing is extremely easy. Please follow the applicable points for detachable and non-detachable liners from the following points:
Soap / Detergent / Softners
The soap, softners or detergent used in home for washing regular clothes is good enough for washing the liner. Ideally in half a mug of water put some soap or detergent and vigorously shake to form foam. Liberally apply it on liner or soak the liner in it.
Brush
I recommend not to use any hard brush since it can damage the EPP or EPU foam. Hand scrubbing is sufficient to remove the deposits. Soaking loosens the deposits and makes it easy for removal.
Hand Wash
A detachable or non-detachable liner is best hand washed. It takes slightly more time since scrubbing with hand needs to go over each piece of EPP or EPU foam.
Soak and Wash
This method gives the best results. In a bucket fill water upto half, put the detergent, vigorously create foam by shaking palm in it and soak the helmet for 15 minutes. Hand scrub thereafter and remove the deposits. Vigorously shaking the helmet inside the water removes most of the filth before we hand scrub it.
Washing Machine
Washing machine is not recommended since the helmet does not require large time or agitation of a washing machine. I am still covering washing machines so that you know the effects.
Top-loading washing machines- Agitator rod
Most top loading washing machines have a agitator rod in the middle leaving very limited space around it to let a helmet fit loosely. Washing in such models will damage the machine.
Front-loading washing machines
Front loading machines do not have a rod in the centre but has impellers on the inside. There are 4-6 impellers that tumble the fabrics. Putting a helmet in it may damage the impellers. A helmet can be wrapped in a cloth and placed inside. The effort involved is more than the helmet needs.
Antiseptic Wash
After the helmet pads have been washed, a very mild and diluted home antiseptic wash can be applied on the pads for sanitisation.
Drying
The pads or liners can be left to open air drying and it does not take much time. I always place the liner in folds of a cloth and press it to remove excess water before air drying.
Sanitizers and Anti-Bacterial Spray
It is a good idea to buy a sanitizer and apply it after the liner or pads have dried up. Anti bacterial spray can be applied every two/three days to keep the helmet germ free.