How to Clean Your Motorcycle Helmet, Liner and Visor

Sweat, bugs, road grime and summer heat add up fast. A dirty helmet smells, fogs up, wears out its padding sooner, and makes it harder to see. The good news: cleaning a helmet properly takes about 20 minutes of work plus drying time, and you don't need special products.

What you'll need

  • Two or three clean microfiber cloths
  • A bowl of lukewarm water
  • Mild soap: baby shampoo or a few drops of gentle dish soap
  • A soft toothbrush or cotton swabs for the vents

Avoid: household glass cleaners (most contain ammonia), gasoline or solvents, petroleum-based cleaners, paper towels, and abrasive pads. They can damage the shell's finish, scratch or haze the shield, or weaken the foam liner.

Step 1: Take it apart

  • Remove any Bluetooth headset, speakers and microphone first, and keep them dry.
  • Remove the face shield (and drop-down sun visor, if your helmet has one) following the manual.
  • Pull out the removable liner and cheek pads. On GDM helmets they snap out by hand. Note how they came out so they go back in the same way.

Step 2: Wash the liner and cheek pads

  1. Soak them in lukewarm water with a little baby shampoo for about 15 minutes.
  2. Gently squeeze the soapy water through the foam. Don't twist or wring them.
  3. Rinse in clean water until no suds come out.
  4. Press out excess water with a towel and air-dry them at room temperature, out of direct sun.

Never put pads in the dryer or use a hair dryer or heater. Heat can shrink the foam and change how the helmet fits.

Step 3: Clean the shell

Lay a warm, wet microfiber cloth over dried-on bugs for a few minutes to soften them, then wipe gently. Clean the rest of the shell with a damp cloth and a drop of mild soap, then wipe it dry. For matte finishes, skip any wax or polish, since it can leave shiny patches.

Step 4: Clean the vents and interior shell

Use a soft toothbrush or cotton swab to clear dust and bug debris from the vents. Wipe the inside of the shell with a barely damp cloth. Don't soak the foam (EPS) liner, and never clean it with solvents.

Step 5: Clean the face shield

  1. Rinse or soak it with lukewarm water to loosen grime.
  2. Wash gently with a drop of mild soap on a microfiber cloth.
  3. Rinse and pat dry with a clean microfiber cloth. Don't rub a dry, dirty shield, because grit causes scratches.

Tinted, chrome, iridium and gold shields have a coating that scratches more easily than clear, so be extra gentle with those.

Step 6: Put it back together

Make sure every part is completely dry, then reinstall the liner, cheek pads, shield and headset. Store the helmet in its bag, away from heat, gasoline fumes and direct sun.

How often?

  • Shield: whenever it's dirty, often after every ride in bug season.
  • Shell: every few weeks, or after a dirty ride.
  • Liner and pads: about once a month if you ride often, more in hot weather.

When cleaning isn't enough

If your liner has gone flat, the cheek pads feel loose, or your shield is scratched or hazy, replacement parts are cheaper than a new helmet:

And if your helmet has been in a crash or is more than about 5 years old, it's time for a new one. See our DOT-approved motorcycle helmets, with free USPS shipping.

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