How to clean and maintain your Aurak ski helmet: practical guide
A well-maintained ski helmet ensures effective protection season after season. By following simple practices, you extend the lifespan of your Aurak helmet and guarantee optimal safety for every mountain outing.
In this guide, Aurak Protection explains how to clean, store, and inspect your ski helmet, plus when to replace it for worry-free skiing.
Cleaning your ski helmet: the Aurak method
The right products to use
To preserve your helmet's technical materials, Aurak recommends a gentle, controlled cleaning method:
- ✅ Lukewarm clean water (maximum 30°C/86°F)
- ✅ Mild non-aggressive soap
- ✅ Soft cloth or damp microfiber (never direct water flow)
- ✅ Air dry away from sun and heat sources
Step-by-step helmet cleaning process
- Moisten a soft cloth with lukewarm soapy water
- Gently clean the outer shell and interior lining
- Wipe with a second slightly damp cloth (clean water) to remove soap
- Let air dry naturally in a cool, dry, ventilated area
Important: Never submerge your ski helmet in water or put it under running water. Excess moisture can penetrate the structure and compromise protective performance.
Products to avoid: what damages a ski helmet
Certain substances damage the shell and EPS foam liner and can drastically reduce protection levels.
Strictly prohibited products:
- ❌ Harsh cleaning fluids (degreasers, strong multi-purpose cleaners)
- ❌ Paints, solvents, and thinners
- ❌ Hydrocarbons (gasoline, white spirit, etc.)
- ❌ Decals, non-helmet stickers
- ❌ Any unapproved chemical treatment or modification
These products weaken the structure, attack internal foam, and compromise your safety during falls.
Storage: how to properly store your ski helmet
Ideal storage conditions
Proper storage between ski days is essential to maintain performance:
- ✅ Remove helmet from packaging after use (prevents trapped moisture)
- ✅ Store in a dry, cool location
- ✅ Keep away from direct sunlight
- ✅ Away from heat sources (radiators, stove, fireplace)
- ✅ Protected from sharp objects or heavy items that could crush or scratch
Critical temperature: never exceed 62°C
If your helmet reaches temperatures above 62°C (144°F), it is considered permanently damaged and must be immediately replaced.
Common high-risk situation: A helmet left in a car under full sun can easily exceed this critical threshold.
Absolute rule: Never leave your ski helmet in a car exposed to direct sunlight.
Using Aurak bags properly
Every Aurak helmet comes with a cotton storage bag, perfect for protecting your helmet from dust and micro-scratches when stored at home or end-of-season.
For travel, we recommend the Aurak transport bag (available as an accessory): more robust and specifically designed for trips, it secures your helmet in cars, trains, or planes while limiting shocks, friction, and compression in luggage.
- ✅ Included cotton bag: perfect for clean, dry daily storage
- ✅ Aurak transport bag(optional): enhanced protection during travel
- ✅ Reduced risk of scratches, crushing, and impacts while traveling
Combining the cotton bag for storage and the transport bag for trips gives your Aurak helmet an ideal environment, preserving its condition and protection level longer.
Visual inspection: check your helmet before every outing
Before each ski day, take a few seconds to inspect your Aurak helmet:
- ? No tears, cracks, or broken parts
- ? No excessive wear on shell or padding
- ? No missing components (straps, padding, clips, buckle)
- ? Internal padding not compressed or deformed
If in doubt: Don't ski with that helmet. Consult a professional or Aurak customer service.
Ski helmet lifespan: when to replace it?
Official Aurak recommendation
For normal use, Aurak recommends replacing your ski helmet every 5 years. However, earlier replacement is required if exposed to:
- ⏰ Prolonged sun exposure (UV, heat)
- ⚡ Intensive use (long season, daily riding)
- ? Impact or fall, even without visible damage
- ?️ Temperatures above 62°C
Immediate replacement required if:
- Significant impact received (fall, collision, obstacle strike)
- Visible cracks on shell or internal liner
- Shell, foam, or strap deformation
- Faulty retention system (buckle, dial, straps)
Critical reminder: A helmet that suffered impact may be damaged without visible signs. One impact = one new helmet.
Prohibited modifications: what never to do
A ski helmet is certified safety equipment. Any unauthorized modification can void its protective performance.
Modifications to avoid:
- ❌ Drilling the shell (screws, hooks, etc.)
- ❌ Adding unapproved accessories
- ❌ Replacing parts with non-original components
- ❌ Custom paint or unsuitable varnish
- ❌ Mounting camera on shell (creates local weakness and snag risk during falls)
These alterations weaken structure, alter impact force distribution, and can void the protection your helmet was designed to provide.
Maintenance calendar: the ritual of an always-ready helmet
Start of season
- ✅ Complete helmet inspection (shell, padding, straps, buckle)
- ✅ Deep cleaning using Aurak method
- ✅ Check adjustment and retention system
During the season
- ✅ Air dry after every ski day
- ✅ Light cleaning after wet or very snowy days
- ✅ Store in dry location away from heat
End of season
- ✅ Complete shell and interior cleaning
- ✅ Perfect drying before long-term storage
- ✅ Store in cotton storage bag, kept in dry, temperate location (or Aurak transport bag for station transfers)
By applying these Aurak ski helmet maintenance best practices, you maximize your equipment's lifespan while maintaining impeccable safety levels for every run.