Nov 26, 2024

How to Clean and Maintain Your Motorcycle Riding Gear

How to Clean and Maintain Your Motorcycle Riding Gear

Keeping your motorcycle gear clean and well-maintained is essential not only for its durability but also for your safety and comfort on the road. From helmets to jackets and gloves, each item requires a bit of care to ensure it stays in top shape and ready for your next adventure. 

In this guide, we’ll take you through the washing motorcycle gear process, explain why it matters, and share some easy-to-follow tips for maintaining your gear.

Why Cleaning and Maintaining Your Riding Gear Is Important

Riding gear is a crucial investment. Proper maintenance keeps it looking good, feeling comfortable, and—most importantly—functioning as intended to protect you. Dust, dirt, sweat, and road grime build up on your gear over time, affecting its material and durability. Additionally, keeping your gear clean can prevent damage that weakens protective layers, like leather and padding. By caring for your gear, you’re helping it last longer, perform better, and keep you safe.

Step-by-Step Guide to Washing Motorcycle Gear

If you’re dealing with a leather jacket, textile suit, or gloves, different materials need specific care. Here’s how you can tackle cleaning various pieces of your gear:

1. Helmet Cleaning

The helmet is one of the most important parts of your gear. It protects your head and face, so it’s essential to keep it clean both inside and out. Here’s how:

  • Remove the interior liners and pads: The vast majority of helmets have removable pads and liners that can be hand-washed with mild detergent. Make sure to rinse them and let them air dry.
  • Clean the shell: Wipe the exterior shell with a damp, mild soap, soft cloth. Don't use harsh chemicals because they might damage the finish.
  • Clean the visor: To clean the visor thoroughly, remove some caked-on dirt, and wipe the visor gently with a soft cloth and a nonabrasive, mild cleaner. Don’t use window cleaners; they may harm the anti-scratch (or anti-fog) coating.

2. Jacket and Pants Care

When you have a leather motorcycle jacket and pants, they are exposed to the elements and need regular cleaning; in fact, jackets and pants need to be cleaned more often because they’re leather. Follow these tips for both washing motorcycle gear and maintaining it:

Leather Gear: To prevent leather drying or cracking it requires special care.

  • Mineral spots can be spot-cleaned with a damp cloth.
  • On the other end, it’s time to take care of the leather and make it soft and flexible again.
  • Don’t wash a leather jacket in the washing machine. It’s best to hand wash or use a professional leather cleaner.

Textile Gear: If you have textile jackets or pants, they’re better to clean.

  • Though most textile pieces just need to be washed with a gentle cycle in the machine, check the manufacturer’s label for washing instructions.
  • With fabric softeners or bleach, things can get ruined, as they can cause your fabric to lose its water resistance.
  • Don't put it in the oven to avoid damage from heat.

3. Gloves Cleaning

Gloves get a lot of wear and tear, but they’re also easy to maintain.

  • Leather Gloves: Like leather jackets, we shouldn’t machine wash leather gloves. Rather, rather them gently wiped down with a damp cloth, working some leather cleaner into them, and conditioning them regularly.
  • Textile Gloves: It’s often possible to hand wash textile gloves in cool water with mild detergent. Once air dried, you prevent shrinking or damaging material.

4. Boots and Shoes

Your motorcycle boots or shoes protect your feet and ankles and need proper care to stay durable and comfortable.

  • Leather Boots: Removed mud and dirt with a damp cloth. The following are used to use leather cleaner and conditioner as needed. Never soak leather boots and leave them to dry if they get wet.
  • Textile Boots: Washable some textile boots. Dirt them and wipe them down with a damp cloth using a soft brush. Drying them completely in the atmosphere will prepare them for your next ride.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Washing Motorcycle Gear

  • Ironing a leather jacket is a bad idea and you shouldn’t clean a leather jacket by washing it in a washing machine – always clean leather by hand or through professional cleaning services.
  • Don't go overboard with bleach or harsh detergents – particularly on the more sensitive items such as gloves or jackets – these can wreck the quality of the material.
  • For all motorcycle gear never use a dryer instead air dry and high heat can damage and shrink.

Additional Tips for Maintaining Your Motorcycle Gear

  • Store your gear properly: Store your gear in a cool dry place and do not leave it in direct sunlight for a lengthy time.
  • Check for wear and tear: It’s also a good idea to take a look at your gear on a monthly basis to check for zippers that won’t work, seams that have torn or split, or padding that has worn down.
  • Use waterproofing sprays: Waterproofing sprays for textile gear can help keep your equipment water-resistant, and protect it from the elements.

Conclusion

Caring for your motorcycle gear may seem like a lot of work, but it’s worth it to protect your investment and ensure your safety on every ride. From washing motorcycle gear to applying leather conditioner, each step helps maintain the gear’s quality, comfort, and functionality. A clean, well-kept set of riding gear makes a big difference in how you feel and perform on the road.

Need new gear or looking to replace old items? Check out our selection at Road Gearz for high-quality, durable motorcycle equipment that meets your style and safety needs. Ride safe and stay protected!

FAQs

1. Can You Wash Your Motorcycle Gear?

Yes, most motorcycle gear can be washed but there is a way to do so for different materials. Textile gear can be washed in the washing machine, and leather can be hand-washed or cleaned with dedicated leather products. Always check the label, but how to wash motorcycle gear depends on what type of material it is made from.

2. Can You Put a Leather Jacket in the Washing Machine?

It's no good putting a leather jacket in the washing machine. Washing leather on a machine can break, shrink, or take away the leather's protective qualities. Use leather conditioners if you can, hand clean it, and stick to it.

3. Do You Need Special Detergent to Wash Motorcycle Gear?

Using mild detergent is essential, especially for textile gear. Avoid harsh chemicals or bleach, as these can damage the protective coatings and make the fabric less effective. For leather items, you’ll need a leather cleaner and conditioner, which are specially formulated to keep leather supple and durable.

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