For the most part, if you take your harness and helmet out of your pack and store them in a cool dry area after your climbing sessions, they should be in decent shape. But anyone who has spent a season climbing in warm temps knows that harnesses and helmets can get a little well, gross. If yours are still in excellent working condition but in need of some freshening up, this article is for you.

How to clean your harness:

  1. Fill a small basin or sink with lukewarm water. For many cases, water alone is enough to clean the harness. If yours needs more than water, add a dot of mild soap. 
  2. Immerse your harness in the water and gently squeeze each part of the belt and leg loops to allow the water or soapy water to pass through the fabric.
  3. Drain the water and repeat steps 1 and 2 as needed until the water runs clear. If you used soap the first time, don’t use soap with your final immersions and thoroughly rinse all of the soap residue from your harness.
  4. Drain the water and gently squeeze excess water from your harness. 
  5. Hang to dry (do not put in direct sunlight as this will degrade the materials of your harness).

How to clean your helmet:

  1. Fill a small basin or sink with lukewarm water. Like your harness, your helmet may or may not require soap. If you choose to use soap, go for a mild soap and add just a little. 
  2. If your helmet has Velcro foam inserts, remove them and either add them to a load of laundry or toss them in your vessel of water.
  3. Immerse your helmet in the water. Gently squeeze the straps to coax out the build-up of grime. You can use a rag to wipe the inner and outer surfaces of your helmet.
  4. Drain the water and refill with fresh water. Repeat step 3 and if you used soap, use this step to rinse the soapy residue from your helmet. Drain and rinse as many times as needed.
  5. When you have finished washing your helmet, drain the water and squeeze out the excess water from your straps. Also, squeeze out excess water from your Velcro foam inserts if you have decided to clean them alongside your helmet. 
  6. Hang your helmet and the inserts to dry (somewhere away from direct sunlight).

The post How to Clean Your Harness and Helmet appeared first on Gripped Magazine.

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