Looking after your helmet is as important as anything. Regular cleaning will prolong the life of your helmet, and prevent bacteria from developing on it or inside it. It might be tempting to leave it at the stables and only touch it when you ride, but your helmet will fare a lot better if you take some time to look after it.
This care and cleaning guide will tell you everything you need to know to keep your helmet in the best shape possible.
Keeping it Clean
Cleaning your helmet is easy, as long as you are careful.
You can clean the outer shell with a gentle wipe using warm water and soft soap, using a lint-free cloth or soft brush. You can either towel dry your helmet afterwards, or allow it to dry naturally. Be sure to never use solvents to clean your helmet, as they can cause irreversible damage.
The evoke liner system makes keeping the inside of your hat clean easy. If you have two liners, you can take one home to wash, and continue to ride in the other.
Simply remove the liner by gently pulling the fastenings free of the polystyrene liner, making sure to start at the back of the helmet. Your liner can be hand washed in a gentle detergent before being allowed to dry naturally. After cleaning, ensure that the liner is securely fastened to the inside of the helmet, as it was before removed.
Ensure that your helmet has dried completely before storing it, to prevent fungal and bacterial growth.
Storage & Transportation
There will inevitably be a lot of time when you aren’t wearing your helmet, so ensuring that you store it correctly is very important. Keep your helmet in its original packaging or a padded helmet bag when you aren’t riding. This will protect it from bumps or knocks, as well as against bacteria. It is also important to store your helmet in a cool, dry place out of sunlight and avoiding extreme temperatures. Your helmet should not be exposed to temperatures higher than 50 ºC or lower than -20 ºC.
When travelling, it is best to ensure that your helmet is kept in a padded bag or original packaging, ensuring that it is secure during travel. If you compete, it is inevitable that your helmet will be travelling a lot, and it is important to spend that extra minute packing your helmet away as carefully as you would your saddle.
Make sure to regularly clean your helmet bag too – we all know how dirty things can get if they are regularly around horses!
Do’s & Don’ts
Although there are a lot of do’s and don’ts, looking after your helmet is easy as long as you keep on top of it.
Safety First
Remember, your helmet is there to protect your head. If you notice any sign of damage, it is best to replace your helmet as it’s protective qualities could be compromised. The same goes for if you have an impact fall. You should look to replace your helmet every 2-5 years, dependent on use. evoke’s industry first Helmet Replacement Policy means that if you have a fall within the first 6 months of purchasing your helmet, it can be replaced at 50% of the original cost – we never want you to compromise on your own safety.
If you look after your helmet, your helmet will look after you! Time spent now, will increase the life span of your helmet and make life easier in the long run. Who knows, it could save your life.