Many riders know that among all our equipment, the most important one is the bicycle helmet. During riding, the protective function of the helmet for our life safety is unquestionable. Let’s take a look at the research report of the American Highway Safety Insurance: 98% of the number of people who died in cyclists in the United States in 1999 did not wear helmets; and the risk of serious head injuries in collision accidents was reduced by 85%. It’s very simple. If you fall and hit your head, the helmet will break, not your head. This is the role of the helmet.
Helmets are like our bicycles and cycling clothes. When they are used, they are always exposed to the scorching sun, dust, and rain. And the lining of the helmet is in direct contact with our head, especially the forehead, which absorbs a lot of sweat every day. But I found that the riders around me pay the most attention to the bike in the process of daily maintenance, and the helmet is the least important.
This good partner who shoulders a huge mission and protects our lives also needs to be cared for. So how should we clean and maintain our helmets in daily use?
About replacement
1. Due to the special nature of helmets being “suitable for one impact”, helmets should be replaced after being hit more severely. There are two situations here. One is that the helmet is cracked or smashed, then it is undoubtedly sacrificed and a new helmet is needed. The other is that the helmet has suffered a strong impact, but the appearance still looks normal. In this case, the helmet should also be replaced because the inside of the helmet may have been cracked. If it continues to be used, there are great safety hazards.
2. If it has not been hit for a long time, it does not mean that your helmet can be used once and for all. Helmets, like everything we use in our daily lives, will age with the use time and wind and sun. Under normal use without impact, it is recommended to replace a new helmet every three years (if the frequency of use is high, it is recommended to shorten the replacement cycle).
About cleaning
Many riders do not pay enough attention to the cleaning of helmets. In fact, the helmet is really the kindest and least hypocritical one among all our equipment. It not only plays an important role in protecting life, but also is easy to use and clean. Compared with your beloved car, cleaning it is as simple as washing dishes or washing a few socks.
1. Clean the shell. Because the outside of the helmet is exposed to the air for a long time during riding, there will be a lot of dust, oil and other dirt on it, which will slowly make the helmet look less shiny or scratched. In fact, you only need to scrub it frequently. Prepare a mild detergent, a soft-bristled toothbrush or sponge, and an ordinary dry towel, and you can start scrubbing. Detergent is a good choice. You can fill half a pool of water with detergent in the sink. Remember to use cold water (tap water at room temperature).
Soak the helmet directly in the water, gently scrub the shell and holes and other places that can be brushed with a toothbrush, then rinse off the detergent with clean water, and wipe it dry with a dry towel.
Even after daily riding, you can directly take a shower with the helmet. Let the helmet take a shower with you, rinse it first, and then wash yourself, so that the helmet will feel very refreshed. After a while, you can also wipe the helmet shell with water wax to make it look cleaner and shiny.
2. Clean the buckle. The buckle is in direct contact with our facial skin every day. It absorbs a lot of sweat, as well as dust and bacteria. If it is not cleaned in time, the dirty buckle will continue to stick to our face when it is used next time, which is not only unhygienic, but also very easy to breed bacteria and generate odor. When cleaning the helmet with a toothbrush or sponge, remember to dip it in lotion and clean the buckle on both sides. You can use more lotion to clean it.
3. Clean the lining. After brushing the shell and buckle, you can gently remove the lining of the helmet, soak it in the pool for a while, and then gently rub it and wash it by hand. The lining is the main source of odor in the helmet. If sweat stays in it for a long time, it will not only stink, but also damage the material of the lining.
About storage
After the washed helmet is placed in a ventilated and cool place to dry, on days when you don’t ride a bike, remember to store it in a place without wind and sun. Don’t just throw it away and ignore it, such as putting it in the back seat of a car. If the car is parked in the sun for a long time, the helmet will also be wronged. It is best to put it in a dry cabinet. The cleaning and maintenance of the helmet is relatively simple, but it will become very fresh after washing. After all, it is something we wear on our heads, so it is recommended to clean it briefly every time after riding.