Lifestyle Desk – While the rainy season provides relief from the heat, it also brings some new problems for those who travel by bike or scooter every day. The most common problem among these is the strong smell coming from inside the helmet. Due to increased humidity during rain, sweating of the head and lack of sufficient air inside the helmet, a favorable environment can be created for the growth of bacteria and fungus inside it. This is the reason why after some time a strong foul smell starts coming from the helmet. This is not only an uncomfortable problem, but using a dirty helmet for a long time can also increase the risk of problems like dandruff, itching in the scalp, fungal infections and hair fall. The good thing is that by adopting some easy measures the helmet can be kept clean, fresh and more hygienic. Let us know in detail.
Clean the inner padding regularly
If your helmet has removable padding, remove it periodically and wash it with mild detergent or baby shampoo. After washing, reapply the padding only after drying it thoroughly. Applying wet padding can increase the problem of bad smell and fungus.
Allow the helmet to air out after each use
After the journey is over, keep the helmet in an open and ventilated place instead of keeping it in a closed cupboard or bag. This dries up the moisture accumulated inside and reduces the chances of growth of odor causing bacteria. Avoid exposing the helmet to direct sunlight for extended periods as this may affect the quality of some parts.
Use baking soda
Baking soda is considered a popular home remedy to reduce bad odor. Sprinkle a small amount of baking soda inside the helmet, leave it for a few hours and later remove it with a clean cloth or brush. This can help in reducing the smell.
Use a mild disinfectant or helmet cleaner
There are special cleaners available in the market for cleaning helmets. Using them according to directions can help keep the inside of the helmet clean. If adopting home remedies, use any cleaning solution in limited quantities and test on a small area first.
Cleaning head and hair is also important
Sweat and dirt on the head are also a major reason for the bad smell of the helmet. Therefore, wash hair regularly and keep it clean. If your hair sweats a lot, you can wear a clean cotton helmet cap or scarf before wearing the helmet. Due to this, sweat will not directly enter the padding of the helmet.
Dry wet helmet immediately in rain
If the helmet gets wet in the rain while travelling, wipe it with a dry cloth as soon as you reach home and let it dry completely. Keeping a wet helmet closed for a long time can increase the problem of dampness and fungus.
When should helmet be changed?
If the helmet’s padding is excessively worn, has a persistent odor, or appears to be moldy, cleaning alone may not be enough. In such a situation, changing the padding or getting a new helmet if needed could be a safer option.
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