Your snowboarding helmet is probably the most important piece of safety equipment you own. If you look after it, it will take care of you. Generally, shelf life of a snowboard helmet is of three years, but if you use the helmet frequently then it is better to change it once in every three years. To ensure long life for your helmet, you should keep it in the best condition possible and clean it on a regular basis. While helmets are usually made using similar materials and can be cleaned in the same way, it is recommended to use manufacturer’s cleaning instructions for the specific helmet you have purchased.
Daily cleaning: It is not required to clean your snowboard helmet every day. However, during the winter season when you regularly go for snowboarding, it is advised to clean your helmets every day – especially the visor. This is the main window in the helmet that guides your vision and should be clean and free of dirt, debris and any form of scratches. Cleaning your visor after snowboarding should be a part of your post-ride ritual. Of course, it is easier to clean the dirt before it dries and settles down on the visor. You can clean the fresh dirt without scrubbing the visor thereby minimizing the risk of scratches.
Weekly cleaning: Even if you are not a regular snowboarder, it is still important to clean your helmet once a week. Modern helmets include multiple vents and intakes, which will work only when you keep them clean and open. Use an old toothbrush or cotton bud to clean the vents to ensure that they are clean and free from any sort of obstructions.
Monthly cleaning: Other important parts in helmets such as removable linings and cheek pads should be cleaned once a month. Remove these and follow the manufacturer’s guidelines on cleaning and washing them. Some of these items can be washed in machines and some had to be hand-washed and dried.
Cleaning Every Six Months: Even if you follow the regular cleaning ritual, it is important that you give your helmet a thorough cleaning once in every six months. Over the years, the helmet can cause a build-up of sweat, skin, hair-gel and even dandruff. This should be removed to avoid any kind of bad smell coming from your snowboard helmet. Its interior, including its padding should be cleaned using a damp cloth. Allow it to dry naturally before using it again.