You must have a helmet if you are a baseball player (youth, high school, college, or MLB). Either it could be a catcher’s helmet or a batting helmet.
By the way, getting dirty and stinky is a very common fact, you know. As well as getting dirty, you must clean and keep clean your dirty helmet for a reason.
I am not talking about the professional players. But, hey, James, are you thinking about your kids’ helmet out of dirt?
If so, knowing how to clean baseball helmet will help you in all ways.
Okay, there are several ways you can apply to clean a baseball helmet. That could be deodorizing, sanitizing, spraying, or washing.
Let’s check out and clean your kids’ dirty helmets for the next game.
Why Should You Clean a Baseball Helmet?
The answer is very simple. A dirty and stinky helmet could be a health hazard in the end. Because getting dirt and sweat, and all other outer hazards make your helmet unhygienic.
This allows germs to breed,
So, cleaning a helmet is necessary to free yourself from germs and bacteria. Also, a clean helmet gives freshness and good breathability to the head, which impacts the game.
The key reasons:
- Keeping germs out.
- Keeping the helmet fresh and presentable.
- Keeping smell and odor away from the helmet.
- Giving a proper reason for the helmet to last long.
- Keeping your head and face sweat off.
See Also: How To Wash A JanSport Backpack Properly
How to Clean Baseball Helmet?- The Process
Now let’s get to how to clean a baseball helmet. You may do this in a number of different ways, as I alluded to briefly before. It depends on your helmet’s current condition and the maintenance it requires.
Washing a helmet is the last and most thorough step in the process of cleaning a helmet. Therefore, we may begin with this approach first. I will also discuss some other possible routes.
Element Need to Wash a Baseball Helmet
You will need some materials to wash your helmet to clean. A list of the necessary elements is given below that will ease the process understanding.
- Washing soap/mild liquid detergent/shampoo, etc.
- Water
- Clean and soft cloth
- Foam and brush
The Washing Process of a Dirty Helmet
The procedure is straightforward, and there is no sign of any severity whatsoever. If you give the simple instructions that follow a try, you should be able to clean your helmet in a short amount of time.
Remove Loose Dirt
Just remove all loose dirt on your helmet. This is not mandatory. But, it is as important as you want to keep your helmet free from scratches.
Use a clean cloth to remove the dirt. Otherwise, the loose dirt will make the water dirty too.
Make a Washing Solution and Clean the Helmet Thoroughly
You have your regular laundry soap or a mild detergent. Combine the liquid soap with either warm or cold water. Nothing cold or warm to drink. The paintwork on your helmet might be ruined if you use hot water to clean it.
However, soak the helmet for 5 to 10 minutes. By the way, many might say to soak for at least 20 to 30 minutes, but this is not necessary at all.
After a while, use the soft cloth to clean the helmet’s surface. Use the foam to clean the inside of the helmet as the helmet has padded foam inside.
This needs patience to clean the inside of the helmet.
After all these processes, if there is some stubborn dirt or sweat stain yet, use a brush to clean them. Also, the dirt might be in stubborn places as well. The brush will ease the princess of cleaning them.
Rinse the Helmet After Cleaning
After cleaning the helmet thoroughly, rinse it with clean water. Before doing this, you can use a dump cloth to remove the soap water primarily.
Don’t use warm or hot water this time. These will rather increase the time to remove the soapy vibe.
In passing, I wanted to express the hope that the cleaning procedure has eliminated all traces of filth. However, you will need to go through the cleaning procedure once again if you find any persistent stains or grime. There will be none the dirt this time.
Drying the Helmet
Thoroughly drying the helmet is very important, as the padded foam inside the helmet got wet due to washing. Otherwise, this will create odor and smell as a result.
I always prefer natural drying- sunlight or air dry. By the way, you can use a hair dryer as well. This will fasten your drying process but will not entirely dry the helmet.
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Some Other Methods to Clean a Baseball Helmet
Aside from soap washing, you can use some other but efficient methods if the helmet doesn’t get too much dirt. You are got to go with the following methods.
Deodorizing the Helmet with Baking Soda and Vinegar
Baking soda and vinegar are among the great odor cleaner for helmets and other apparel. If your helmet got an unpleasant smell, you could use this method.
By the way, a bad smell or odor can distract and bother the player. As a result, this will undoubtedly impact the game’s performance.
To proceed with the process, you will need baking soda, vinegar, water, and a clean cloth.
- Combine the baking soda and vinegar in a low-volume container.
- Use a gentle cloth to massage the mixture inside the helmet. Rub the area until the odor disappears. Baking soda will eliminate the odor. And the vinegar will maintain the existing condition for the longest time possible.
- Put the helmet down for a little period. It might be as long as two hours. At this point, the odors should have been eliminated by your helmet.
- After you have completed those steps, you should wash the helmet with fresh water.
- You’ve finished cleaning the helmet. Now you should wipe it off with a clean towel.
- For the greatest results and to avoid any unpleasant odors, let the helmet dry naturally in the air or in the sun.
Use Disinfectant to Keep the Odor and Bad Smell Away
Washing your helmet before every game doesn’t make sense at all. You should wash your helmet once in 10 days.
By the way, aside from washing every time, disinfectant could be an efficient solution to eliminate germs and bacteria.
By the way, you can use sports gear sanitizing spray to keep away the germ before every game.
How to Store the Baseball Helmet in Off-Season?
Winter is coming, and the season is almost at the end. That doesn’t mean the need for the helmet is done. You need this in the next season.
So, if you want to keep your helmet in pristine condition, you have to store it properly.
Here you got to go with some efficient tips to store your helmet for almost a long time.
- Use a cotton storage bag for the helmet. Keep the helmet inside it.
- Put your helmet in a safe place. The place must be cool and dry. Don’t choose a moist place.
- Avoid direct sunlight or hot temperature.
Additional Read: How To Clean Baseball Batting Gloves To Keep Them Safe And Long Lasting
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How often should you replace baseball helmets?
If the helmet is NOCSAE-certified, it has been certified for 10 years. After ten years, you have to replace it.
By the way, generally, you can use a helmet for 4 to 5 years without any hassles. However, if you have already used your helmet for 10 years, it’s time to have a new one.
2. How do you get scuff marks/scratches off helmets?
Start by massaging the area with your fingers. Rub the helmet vigorously in order to remove the scratches from it. If this doesn’t work, try removing it with a soft cloth instead.
Do not go for the more difficult choice until you have tried the easier ones. You may also use a gentle cleaning product that will not scratch your helmet anymore. This option is also available to you.
3. How do you make a helmet spray?
Spraying alcohol on your helmet surface is easy. Purchase an alcohol sprayer and spray the alcohol on the surface of the helmet. Now, gently rub the helmet to remove dirt and germs.
You also can spray the disinfectant inside the helmet and wipe it with a soft cloth to clean inside.
4. How do you remove a permanent marker from a helmet?
When it comes to cleaning permanent marker ink from a helmet, rubbing alcohol is your best bet for a remedy. The ink will gradually become less opaque as you continue to spray it and give it a little rubbing.
Spray the alcohol over the stain, then massage it in until the stain has been completely erased. For information on how to spray the alcohol, please see the answer to the preceding question.
Wrapping Up
The helmet is one of the most necessary elements for baseball players. It’s certain that it will get dirty and smelly. That is why you should know how to clean baseball helmet.
You have to regularly clean your helmet to keep it pristine as well as presentable. Also, the bad smell will surely be a matter of bothering.
By the way, clean your helmet in the right way. Keep it in a cool and dry place for storing.
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Hello everyone. My name is Jason Butler, and I live in California, America. I was a professional AAA Minor League Baseball player. I lost my chance of playing MLB for injury issues, but I did not lose my love for baseball. I attended the coaching training program and am now working as a coach in a small school in San Diego.
I always love to share my experience and knowledge if that can help you. Play baseball, and stay fit.