I've got a smelly helmet

rubertoe
rubertoe Posts: 3,994
edited June 2013 in Commuting chat
First ride of the year in short sleave jersey and no armwarmers!

Man, do I sweat a lot.

Anything i can do to stop my helmet smelling?
"If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always got."

PX Kaffenback 2 = Work Horse
B-Twin Alur 700 = Sundays and Hills

Comments

  • daviesee
    daviesee Posts: 6,386
    Wash it regularly.

    Applies to your cycle helmet too. :lol:
    None of the above should be taken seriously, and certainly not personally.
  • DrLex
    DrLex Posts: 2,142
    rubertoe wrote:
    [...]
    Anything i can do to stop my helmet smelling?


    Cut off its nose? </old joke>
    Location: ciderspace
  • essex-commuter
    essex-commuter Posts: 2,188
    Remove padding if possible and wash. If not, wash as best as possible while it's in place. Scrub the strap. Put out in the sun to dry (2nd week in September apparently).
  • sketchley
    sketchley Posts: 4,238
    Take out padding and wash in machine. Remove clips and adjusters from straps. Place in bucket with hot water and automatic washing powder, put something on top to weight it down. Leave to soak for a couple or hours then rinse and leave to dry. You will need to readjust the straps but it's not a bad idea to do this occasionally anyway.

    Once you have it clean and smell free consider keeping your helmet on for first part of post ride shower....
    --
    Chris

    Genesis Equilibrium - FCN 3/4/5
  • sketchley
    sketchley Posts: 4,238
    Take out padding and wash in machine. Remove clips and adjusters from straps. Place in bucket with hot water and automatic washing powder, put something on top to weight it down. Leave to soak for a couple or hours then rinse and leave to dry. You will need to readjust the straps but it's not a bad idea to do this occasionally anyway.

    Once you have it clean and smell free consider keeping your helmet on for first part of post ride shower....
    --
    Chris

    Genesis Equilibrium - FCN 3/4/5
  • Kieran_Burns
    Kieran_Burns Posts: 9,757
    Oddly enough I removed and cleaned the pads last night. The helmet was absolutely minging when I got home.

    Was a lot more comfortable to wear this morning as well.
    Chunky Cyclists need your love too! :-)
    2009 Specialized Tricross Sport
    2011 Trek Madone 4.5
    2012 Felt F65X
    Proud CX Pervert and quiet roadie. 12 mile commuter
  • CiB
    CiB Posts: 6,098
    I leave mine in the wardrobe most of the time. It smells lovely, a mix of lavender, freshly laundered shirts and new plastic.
  • meanredspider
    meanredspider Posts: 12,337
    For cleaning the straps, it might not be a bad idea to add peroxide cleaner (Ace or Vanish). They're great on organic dirt. If you're using Ace, pour some on ahead of washing it - it should fizz nicely - but, whatever you do, don't let it dry before you wash it off.

    And, whatever you do, don't use it to try to solve other smelly helmet issues.... :shock: :shock: :shock: :wink:
    ROAD < Scott Foil HMX Di2, Volagi Liscio Di2, Jamis Renegade Elite Di2, Cube Reaction Race > ROUGH
  • veronese68
    veronese68 Posts: 27,882
    Indeed, wouldn't want that to fizz nicely.
    Kinesis Pro6
    Marin Nail Trail
    Cotic Solaris
  • fossyant
    fossyant Posts: 2,549
    Chuck it in the bottom of the shower as you get cleaned up - worth doing once a week.
  • vermin
    vermin Posts: 1,739
    Wear a cap under it
  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    Quick spray of deodorant works well as a short fix, no excuse if you have removeable pads to not do so....and wash them!

    First ride without arm warmers, WTH????? I've been in just a T-shirt for about 3 months! No wonder you get sweaty and your helmet pongs....
    Currently riding a Whyte T130C, X0 drivetrain, Magura Trail brakes converted to mixed wheel size (homebuilt wheels) with 140mm Fox 34 Rhythm and RP23 suspension. 12.2Kg.
  • meanredspider
    meanredspider Posts: 12,337
    Veronese68 wrote:
    Indeed, wouldn't want that to fizz nicely.

    Dunno - I've heard that a mouthful of champagne is very nice.... :lol:
    ROAD < Scott Foil HMX Di2, Volagi Liscio Di2, Jamis Renegade Elite Di2, Cube Reaction Race > ROUGH
  • rubertoe
    rubertoe Posts: 3,994
    The Beginner wrote:
    Quick spray of deodorant works well as a short fix, no excuse if you have removeable pads to not do so....and wash them!

    First ride without arm warmers, WTH????? I've been in just a T-shirt for about 3 months! No wonder you get sweaty and your helmet pongs....

    I Know, I'm a big girl.

    I'm also on the road at 6 am.
    "If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always got."

    PX Kaffenback 2 = Work Horse
    B-Twin Alur 700 = Sundays and Hills
  • kelsen
    kelsen Posts: 2,003
    Dunk the whole thing in basin of hot water and sterilising solution/bleach.
    Soak for 10 mins
    Dunk it in basin of fresh water
    Use towel to absorb excess water then leave to dry overnight
  • rubertoe
    rubertoe Posts: 3,994
    I'm not dunking it in bleach....
    "If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always got."

    PX Kaffenback 2 = Work Horse
    B-Twin Alur 700 = Sundays and Hills
  • BigJimmyB
    BigJimmyB Posts: 1,302
    Remove pads and wash with clothes - buy a spare set of pads so as one dries, you can use the other.

    For main helmet - use a bucket of cold water with a milton tablet in (leave for 15 ins), or biological washing liquid/powder (leave for 1 hour). Transfer to a bucket of clean cold water after to rinse for a bit, then put somewhere (airing cupboard) to dry.
  • greg66_tri_v2.0
    greg66_tri_v2.0 Posts: 7,172
    Remove pads and clips - any and everything you can. Put all the bits in a metal bucket. Pour in some white spirit. Chuck a lighted match in. Wander off to a pc or laptop and order a new helmet online.

    Works for minging kit, too, especially shoes.
    Swim. Bike. Run. Yeah. That's what I used to do.

    Bike 1
    Bike 2-A
  • patrickf
    patrickf Posts: 536
    This: http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/TOBYSAN/nrg_bike_sanitizing_spray

    Amazing stuff. But yes, wash the pads occasionally too :)
  • rolf_f
    rolf_f Posts: 16,015
    The Beginner wrote:
    First ride without arm warmers, WTH????? I've been in just a T-shirt for about 3 months! No wonder you get sweaty and your helmet pongs....

    Oooh! Not had a "I don't feel the cold as much as some people so I can talk hard about wearing less layers than them even though I'm warmer than they are when wearing less so not really as hard as I think I am" post in ages :lol:
    Faster than a tent.......
  • dondare
    dondare Posts: 2,113
    rubertoe wrote:
    First ride of the year in short sleave jersey and no armwarmers!

    Man, do I sweat a lot.

    Anything i can do to stop my helmet smelling?

    Leave it at home. Cycling doesn't cause brain injury, really.
    This post contains traces of nuts.
  • meanredspider
    meanredspider Posts: 12,337
    dondare wrote:
    Leave it at home. Cycling doesn't cause brain injury, really.

    Oh no - someone else trying to start a helmet debate :shock:
    ROAD < Scott Foil HMX Di2, Volagi Liscio Di2, Jamis Renegade Elite Di2, Cube Reaction Race > ROUGH

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