Disinfection of your motorcycle helmet and gloves

We are living through a few months of change. The coronavirus crisis has altered all our routines and alerted us to the importance of maintaining high levels of cleanliness and hygiene, not only personal, but also of all the material elements with which we surround ourselves, since an infectious agent can be transmitted not only by human contact. However, the abruptness with which this new routine has arrived in our lives means that sometimes we do not notice some processes or details that we do every day. The motorcycle, a vehicle recommended for necessary trips over the car or public transport in the state of alarm, and which we can use for trips within the province in phase 1, must be understood as a whole, together with helmet and gloves, which must be subjected to a disinfection process.
We cannot repair when it comes to protections to safeguard ourselves from the virus. Helmet and gloves are required when traveling and in the event of an accident, but these days they also act as such in the face of the virus. Thus, and being two elements with which we come into direct contact, we must ensure their total disinfection.

Cleaning the helmet
Surely, if you are a passionate and experienced biker, you know that your helmet requires a thorough cleaning from time to time - two or three times a year, once if you don't give it too much work - to prevent the appearance of odors. Now, with the coronavirus around, it is the most ideal time to subject it to it.
First, the most universal recommendation these days: wash your own hands. And, if you can, use disposable plastic gloves. Afterwards, we will disassemble the helmet to be able to disinfect it piece by piece, starting with the cheek pads and the inner lining, which you can put in the washing machine if the manufacturer allows it and if you use a short program with cold water, never exceeding 40 degrees. Of course, if you do this, do it without matching the clothes. If it doesn't convince you, by hand.
As for the outer shell, it is best to do it manually, using a sink and using a sponge - if you use the kitchen sponge, use the surface that is not a scouring pad - with circular movements, and cotton buds or other utensils. that allow you to access more difficult areas. Once you have finished, do not leave it directly soaked to dry, but rather use a cloth superficially and then, yes, let it dry on its own. In this process you can also use more specific products that, due to their composition, enhance the shine of the helmet, as well as disinfectant alcohol for the hard parts of the helmet. Especially if you share the helmet, the latter is more than recommended.
If you are wondering what to do with the helmet visor, you can wash it along with the shell following the process described above, or disassemble it and do it separately for greater care to avoid scratches.

Let's move on to the gloves
If you are going to spend the same time cleaning the helmet and gloves, don't trust yourself. Once you have finished cleaning the helmet, and before doing the same with the gloves, wash your own hands again.
Again, you can choose between specific products or neutral soap, although the specific product is more recommended, and the only correct option if your gloves are leather. And very important: do not apply the product directly on the glove, do it on a cloth and use this for cleaning, both outside and inside. Afterwards, do not leave them drying on a radiator or even near it, nor put them in the dryer, which is only recommended if your gloves have a waterproof membrane. Once dry, do not store them inside the helmet, as you would be subjecting them to a rapid deformation process.
These days when we use plastic gloves when we go to the supermarket, bank or pharmacy, don't think about using them under your motorcycle gloves. Your hands will sweat a lot and you will lose touch with the motorcycle controls. Just be sure to wash your hands before putting them on and after taking them off.
Oh, and don't use hydroalcoholic gel to disinfect helmet and gloves: it is a softening product for your skin.