Care for your Charles Owen Velvet Helmet

A helmet is designed to be weaker than your head. Do not do things to the hat that you would not do to your head. Helmets are sensitive to extreme heat and solvents. Cleaning of the interior should be done using Charles Owen hat cleaning products (available at The Gift Horse) foamed detergents or shampoo and water followed by vacuum drying the lining. It is important to use the minimum amount of water as helmets are difficult to dry and easily become moldy. With any cleaning agent, it is important to try a small section to establish any allergic reaction. After riding, leave the helmet in a warm, dry place overnight. Do not dry in front of a fire or on a radiator. Do not store it in a plastic bag before dry. This will reduce the risk of rusting of the metal compounds. Mud on velvet is best left to dry and then brushed off. The pile of the fabric can be revived by holding the hat in steam from a boiling kettle. Your helmet should not be dry cleaned or exposed to solvents.