How to Clean a Helmet with Baking Soda

To clean a helmet with baking soda, sprinkle a little baking soda on the dry pads, leave it for a few hours to absorb smells, brush it all off, then wash the pads by hand in lukewarm water with mild soap and let everything air dry. Baking soda is a gentle, cheap way to freshen a smelly helmet, but it is a helper, not a replacement for washing. Used correctly, it can make a helmet smell much better between washes.

Is Baking Soda Safe for a Helmet?

Baking soda is safe for a helmet when it is used correctly, because it is a mild, natural substance that does not damage most helmet materials. It is not a harsh chemical, and it does not dissolve foam or weaken webbing straps in the way that solvents can. Riders have used it for years to freshen smelly helmets, and in general terms it is one of the gentlest options available.

What Do You Need to Clean a Helmet With Baking Soda?

You need very little to clean a helmet with baking soda: a box of plain baking soda, a soft brush or an old toothbrush, a bowl of lukewarm water, mild soap, and a couple of clean cloths. Make sure you use plain baking soda, also called bicarbonate of soda, and not baking powder, which is a different product and contains other ingredients.

A small sieve or a shaker can help you sprinkle the baking soda evenly over the pads, but your fingers work just as well. A soft brush is useful for working the powder into the fabric of the pads and, later, for brushing it all off again. Keep a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment nearby if you have one, because it can help remove the powder from the pads thoroughly.

How Do You Use Baking Soda on Helmet Pads?

Start by taking the pads out of the helmet, if they are removable. Lay them on a clean towel and sprinkle a light, even layer of baking soda over them. You do not need a thick coating: a light dusting is enough. Rub the powder gently into the fabric with your fingers or a soft brush, so it reaches the fibres where the smell lives.

Leave the baking soda on the pads for at least a few hours, or overnight if the smell is strong. During this time, the powder absorbs moisture and the smells that come with it. The longer you leave it, the more it can absorb, but a few hours is usually enough for a mild smell, and overnight is better for a strong one.

Afterwards, shake the pads out over a bin or outside, then brush them thoroughly with a soft brush to remove all the powder. If you have a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment, use it on a low setting to pick up the last of the powder. Check the pads carefully in good light: there should be no white powder left anywhere. If any remains, brush again, because powder left in a pad can irritate the skin when the helmet is worn.

Should You Wash the Pads After Using Baking Soda?

Yes, washing the pads after using baking soda is the best way to finish the job. Baking soda absorbs smells, but it does not remove sweat, oils, and dirt, and a wash is what actually cleans the pads. After brushing off the powder, wash the pads by hand in a bowl of lukewarm water with a small amount of mild soap.

Work the soap gently through the foam, let the pads soak for ten or fifteen minutes, then rinse them in clean water until the water runs clear. Squeeze them gently to remove the water, press them in a clean towel, and lay them flat to air dry. Never wring the pads hard, and never dry them with direct heat or in a tumble dryer.

If the pads are not removable, you can still use baking soda on them inside the helmet. Sprinkle the powder lightly on the pads, leave it for a few hours, then brush and vacuum it out carefully. Follow this with a wipe using a cloth dampened in mild soapy water, then a wipe with a clean damp cloth. Make sure no powder or soap is left behind, and let the helmet air dry completely before wearing it.

Can Baking Soda Clean the Whole Helmet?

Baking soda is best for the pads and the liner, not for the whole helmet. The shell can be cleaned more easily with a soft cloth and mild soapy water, and baking soda adds nothing there. The straps can be wiped with a soapy cloth too, and a sprinkle of baking soda on damp straps can help with smells, but the powder must be rinsed off fully afterwards.

The buckle can be cleaned with a toothbrush and soapy water, and baking soda is not needed there either. In general terms, think of baking soda as a specialist tool for smells in soft, fabric parts, not as a general cleaner for the whole helmet. If you want to learn more about the safety features inside your helmet, reading about what MIPS is for helmets is a good idea while the pads dry.

When Should You Not Use Baking Soda?

Do not use baking soda if the helmet is very dirty, because baking soda alone will not clean it. A helmet covered in mud, insects, or road grime needs a proper wash with mild soap and water first. Baking soda is for smells, not for dirt, and using it on a dirty helmet will only make a mess.

Do not use baking soda if the pads are wet. The powder will turn into a paste, which is hard to remove and can leave a residue in the foam. Always let the pads dry first, or use baking soda after a wash, once the pads are dry, as a freshening step. Do not mix baking soda with vinegar, bleach, or any other cleaner inside a helmet.

Finally, do not rely on baking soda if the helmet still smells after a thorough wash and a baking soda treatment. A persistent smell can mean the pads are worn out and need replacing, or that moisture has got deep into the liner. Replacement pads are available for most helmets, and fresh pads can make an old helmet feel new. If the helmet is old or damaged, it may be time to replace it rather than keep trying to freshen it.

How long should I leave baking soda on helmet pads?
A few hours is enough for a mild smell, and overnight is better for a strong smell. Always brush and vacuum all the powder off before washing the pads or wearing the helmet.

Can baking soda damage my helmet?
No, in general terms baking soda is gentle and safe for helmet pads and liners when used as a dry powder and removed fully. Do not use it on the visor, and do not leave it inside the helmet.

Is baking soda better than washing the pads?
No, baking soda only absorbs smells, while washing removes sweat, oils, and dirt. Use baking soda to freshen the pads between washes, but wash them regularly with mild soap and water.