Many people find that their new cycling helmets look especially shiny at first, but over time the gloss fades significantly, and sometimes the inner EPS edges become rough or pitted. Some helmets also develop a strong sweaty odor—all of which are caused by not knowing how to properly maintain the helmet. Let me share some daily helmet care tips with you.
1. First, let’s talk about the helmet shell. Maintaining the helmet's gloss is a bit of a dilemma because the gloss is lost due to prolonged exposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun during rides and dust settling on the surface, causing it to dull over time. While we can’t avoid this entirely, we can at least try to make the gloss last longer. To address these two main causes, I suggest avoiding riding under the scorching midday sun—opt for early morning or late afternoon instead. Non-integrated helmets should not be exposed to direct sunlight or rain, or they may quickly delaminate. Also, after each ride, use a soft cotton cloth dampened with alcohol (industrial alcohol) or a cleaning agent to wipe the helmet’s surface. Never use a rough cloth as it may scratch the shell. Remove surface stains and dust, and if possible, apply a bit of car wax to enhance the shine. Sometimes riders accidentally scratch their helmets on hard objects during rides. To fix this, simply squeeze a small amount of regular toothpaste onto the scratch, then gently rub back and forth with a soft cloth. This will make deeper scratches shallower and smaller ones less noticeable.
2. As for the inner EPS layer, no special maintenance is needed. But over time, the edges not covered by the outer shell may become uneven or pitted. For shallow dents, use the shaft of a screwdriver to gently press down the raised areas around the dent, evening it out. It’s like rolling dough—just make sure to use a rounded screwdriver shaft and keep it moving; don’t press in one spot for too long. For deeper dents, take a mosquito-repellent incense stick (the kind used to ward off insects), light it, and carefully warm the dented area with the burning tip. The EPS will foam when exposed to heat. Once the dented area flattens out to match the surrounding surface, move the incense away. If the result isn’t satisfactory, use the screwdriver to press the area again until it’s even.
Next, let’s talk about routine cleaning of the inner lining. It’s generally recommended to wash the lining after every ride. When removing the liner, don’t yank it off abruptly, as this can easily pull off the Velcro attached to the back of the liner along with it—once it’s reattached, it won’t stick as well as before. Sometimes, you might even tear the liner. Never put the removed liner in a washing machine or scrub it with a brush, as this can deform it and reduce its elasticity. Simply soak it in water mixed with laundry detergent or dish soap for a few minutes, gently rub it by hand, rinse it clean with water, and let it air dry.