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Whether you ride most days or only occasionally, a proper motorcycle helmet and visor are essential when on the road. Not only is it the law in most places, but the wind is bound to dry out your eyes, and small pieces of debris will hit your face at high speeds, inhibiting your ability to ride safely. The annoying thing is, though, with each trip, your visor is bound to get dirty. Bugs, dirt, and more will stick to even the most high-tech of motorcycle helmets out there, so you'll have to give it a good clean on a regular basis to keep your line of sight clear. The question is, what is the best cleaner to use?
One might think that Windex or a similar glass cleaner is the way to go for motorcycle helmet cleaning. In reality, this will do more harm than good if you reach for just any regular bottle of it. The original Windex formula includes ammonia as a key ingredient, which can lead to cracking and clouding of the helmet and visor. Fortunately, there is an ammonia-free Windex blend that is much safer for motorcycle helmet visors than the standard version. You just want to be absolutely certain you're using this version instead of the harmful ammonia-inclusive blend. Alternatively, you don't have to use Windex or an off-brand formula to clean your visor. You can instead go for something considerably less risky, or even a cleaning solution made with household items.
Alternatives to ammonia-free Windex for motorcycle visor cleaning
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Instead of Windex, the easiest thing to use to ensure a good visor clean without risk of damage is a designated visor cleaner. There are numerous products out there, like Invisible Glass clear plastic cleaner, that can get the job done without breaking the bank — and it could be a good gift, along with other inexpensive stocking stuffers for motorcycle enthusiasts. Simply spray it on the visor, let it sit for a moment, and wipe it off with a non-abrasive rag. For stubborn, stuck-on debris, a soft-bristled brush should remove it with ease without scratching up the visor. Then again, you could look into at-home mixtures that can do a comparable job of cleaning off your smudged visor.
To get your visor cleaned up using solely household items, you can fill a bucket with warm water and add in a small amount of cleaning detergent or baby shampoo. You just don't want to use anything containing harsh chemicals like bleach, solvents, or acetone. These substances could potentially harm the visor and helmet. Much like with the ready-made visor cleaner, a homemade solution is applied to the helmet and wiped with a non-abrasive cloth or a sponge, then a soft brush is used to remove any stuck-on debris. Next, dry the helmet and visor off with a microfiber cloth, and you'll be ready to hit the road once again. At the end of the day, helmet visor cleaning is simple. Of course, knowing what's safe and unsafe to use when doing so is immensely important, as the wrong choice could cost you more than just the cleaner.
