help: stinky helmet

[MissJean]

My helmet has some nasty funk goin' on. :eek:

I have washed the foam inserts & that helps, but it needs more than that. It was suggested that I soak it in a bucket w/soap and/or bit of bleach. Are there glued parts that might be harmed by soaking?

Help. Helmet hair is bad enough, I don't want stinky head too.

[baddogg79]

I would do the soak with water and soap. So if there is any glued parts (my helmet does) the chances of runining it are small.

[MTBME]

You could try that. If it doesn't work, buy a new helmet. You can always find a good deal on discontinued models. No need to spend more than 50 bucks on a real nice helmet. I hate it in the summer when you put the helmet on and the straps are still slimy from your last ride.

[radair]

Helmet pads can turn into toxic waste.

I know one person who claims that Fabreeze helps.

[C.P.]

You could try soaking the helmet straps & pads and any other stinky biking wear in a bucket of funkremover (http://www.funkremover.com/). Your LBS might have access to a new set of pads...or see MTBME post

[MTBME]

Jean, you got me thinking maybe its time I pick up a new helmet. So I found this nice little deal on line for $35 bucks.

[hogboy]

the good cure for this is:

after use, give it a scalding hot rinse from the sink, make sure you
rinse the pads and straps real well...then hang and fan dry

or, if too tired from riding to bother, hang it to fan dry it first, then give it
a scalding rinse later at some point and fan dry

just never let it sit and dry on it's own after wearing it...that'll triple the bacteria count. always at least fan dry it.

the scalding rinses work so well you may never even need to break
out the soap...but of course it will be a wee bit 'greazy' but what counts
it the hot rinse. that kills the funk. fast fan drying also stops funk from
worsening

bleach soak could render your pads to dust. not recommended

[hogboy]

Helmet pads can turn into toxic waste.

I know one person who claims that Fabreeze helps.

right...then next time you sweat into the febreeze and it drips in your eye
lets hear how that goes....not recommended

[MissJean]

Thank you everybody for the suggestions. :)

The helmet got a soapy soak last night...then a close sniff inspection, which seemed to indicate that the straps were to blame for most of the smell. So I gave them an extra scrub with the nail brush. The next ride will tell if it worked. If not, new helmet time.

I don't mind putting on a damp helmet, but damp gloves or damp shoes give me the willies.

[Slappy]

Vinegar works great for stink, better than bleach or fabreeze IMO.

It's the only thing that worked for my body armor, and that stuff has been known to get fairly frikkin wretched.

[bikerdom]

Remove what pads you can and soak in shampoo, woolite or simular and rinse well and let dry. Soak the helmet with a hand held shower head then scrub lightly the pads with your hair shampoo and rinse well. It works and it has the proper ph so it won't bother your skin.

[heckler]

Another vote for white wine or cider vinegar. A friend suggested that for skanky gym clothes. She tried it on her son's wrestling gear, etc. It really works. I had some cycling gloves that I literally would strap to the bike outside the car after a ride rather than bring them in. Dilute vinegar and now they are fine. They smell sort of like they are looking for a salad (:-)) but no more stink. I tried it on helmet pads- same result. give it a try. Way cheaper than any alternative.

[BigMac]

I agree with hogboy a good rinse in hot water usually does a pretty good job
Mark