How to Clean a Petzl BOREO Climbing Helmet
The Petzl BOREO combines an ABS shell with EPP and EPS impact liners, polyester webbing and comfort foam. Petzl's helmet instructions limit washing to lukewarm pH-neutral soapy water at no more than 30°C, followed by a thorough fresh-water rinse and air-drying away from UV and heat. Solvents, stain removers and degreasers can weaken polycarbonate, polystyrene or nylon and are not compatible with the helmet system. This guide covers BOREO shell, liner, straps, buckle and removable comfort pieces while preserving the inspection boundary of personal protective equipment. A helmet exposed to a severe impact, aggressive chemical or uncertain damage should be retired and assessed; a clean surface is not proof that its protective structure remains sound.
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Primary reference: Petzl official BOREO technical and helmet-maintenance guidance. Always check the manual for your exact model.
Quick reference
- Wash
- pH-neutral face/body soap at 30°C max.
- Rinse
- Thoroughly with fresh tap water.
- Avoid
- Solvents, degreasers, stain removers and high pressure.
- Dry
- Air-dry away from UV, fire and radiators.
- Retire
- Severe impact, chemical doubt or damaged safety part.
What you will need
- Lukewarm water no hotter than 30°C/86°F
- pH-neutral household face or body soap
- Clean basin
- Soft cloth or sponge
- Soft toothbrush for removable comfort parts only
- Fresh tap water
- Dry towel
- Shaded ventilated drying space
Step-by-step instructions
Before you begin: Inspect and prepare
Read the individual inspection markings and compare the helmet with its known history before adding water. Remove only Petzl-authorized comfort parts, keep all structural liners in place and photograph strap routing if a removable item is unfamiliar. Paint, marker, adhesive, battery leakage, fuel or insect-repellent contact can be chemically significant even when the shell looks clean. Quarantine the helmet after a major fall, visible deformation, cut webbing, an unreliable buckle or uncertain contamination, and follow Petzl's PPE inspection and retirement criteria.
Step 1: Record history and inspect dry
Check whether the helmet suffered an impact, crushing, extreme heat or chemical contact. Examine shell, EPP/EPS liner, straps, buckle, adjustment parts and headlamp clips. Petzl treats PPE history as part of retirement decisions. If chemical contact is uncertain, retire the product rather than wash and guess.
Step 2: Remove only approved replaceable parts
Follow the BOREO instructions to remove comfort foam or another referenced spare part. Do not separate the impact liners from the shell, pull glued material or dismantle the adjustment system. Photograph strap routing before removing any authorized comfort piece.
Step 3: Prepare the exact mild bath
Use lukewarm water at 30°C/86°F maximum with a small amount of pH-neutral household face or body soap. Petzl excludes solvents, stain removers and degreasers because they can weaken helmet materials. Do not use bleach, strong disinfectant, hot water or a dishwasher.
Step 4: Wash without pressure or abrasion
Use a soft cloth or sponge on the ABS shell, accessible liner surfaces and webbing. Move the chin strap through soapy water gently. Do not use a high-pressure sprayer, stiff brush or abrasive pad. Support the helmet rather than compressing it against the basin.
Step 5: Treat salt exposure promptly
After seaside or other salty use, Petzl says to rinse with fresh water. Work clean water around straps, buckle and headlamp clips where crystals collect. Do not wait for salt to dry repeatedly into textile and metal interfaces.
Step 6: Rinse thoroughly with fresh tap water
Remove all soap from shell, liners, webbing and buckle. Change rinse water until there is no foam or slippery feel. Use gentle flow rather than a pressure nozzle. Soap residue can trap dirt and irritate skin during a long climb.
Step 7: Air-dry away from UV and heat
Blot with a towel and place the helmet in a ventilated shaded location. Petzl says to air-dry away from UV, direct sun, fires and radiators. Do not sit on, compress, tumble-dry or leave the helmet in a hot vehicle, where temperature can exceed safe storage conditions.
Step 8: Reassemble and inspect again
Reinstall fully dry comfort foam and approved spares exactly as intended. Confirm the buckle closes, straps run flat, adjustment holds and liner remains seated. Do not paint the shell or hide cracks with stickers not supplied or authorized by Petzl.
Step 9: Store protected and ventilated
Place the dry BOREO in a pack or dedicated space where crampon points and sharp tools cannot reach it. Keep it away from sunlight, damp waterproof containers, fuel, batteries and cleaners. Do not throw it on the ground or store it under heavy equipment.
Specific cleaning questions
Open a question for a concise answer about stains, odors, safety, frequency, and troubleshooting.