Helmet cleaning regime

surrey_commuter

I appreciate that this is a sensitive subject but if any of you do have a "friend" with a foul smelling helmet then I would appreciate any advice on cleaning rituals. I thought it was the foam pads but when re-installing them noticed that the smell was still awful.

daddy0

Kieran_Burns

Clean underwear?

rhodrich

The act of putting one's helmet on in the morning when it's still soaked from last night's sweat is truly repulsive.

One of these days, I'll move over to a cycling cap for commuting instead, which has exactly the same use (keeps your head warm in winter, and keeps the sun off in summer, whilst doing nothing to help you if you are run over by a skip lorry), but is easier to clean, and looks better.

The only thing stopping me is peer pressure. I've always resisted wearing hi viz, but I'd feel extremely self-conscious without a helmet in the morning promuter peleton.

Kieran_Burns

Being serious - I wear a buff all the time now. Keeps you cool and the sweat off on the warm days and warmer on the cool ones.

surrey_commuter

so has anybody managed to get the stench out of a helmet or do I need to "kill it with fire" and buy a new one then wear a cap and give it a rinse in warm weather.

Underwear not worn under bibs but more than happy to experiment with increased amounts of chamois cream

Kieran_Burns

Soak it in bleach. That'll get the smell out and you'll have an amazing new look in the office on Monday.

UndercoverElephant

Fill sink with water.
Add some laundry detergent.
Pop helmet in sink (you may need to weigh it down a bit).
Leave for a bit.
Rinse.

surrey_commuter

tried the laundry detergent x2 (6 =months of heavy sweating proved beyond it)

KB - are you talking neat bleach or diluted?

Kieran_Burns

Surrey Commuter wrote:

tried the laundry detergent x2 (6 =months of heavy sweating proved beyond it)

KB - are you talking neat bleach or diluted?

How much like Spike do you want to look?

slowbike

flippin eck - I just wash mine under the cold tap and hang out to dry ...

I then sort the lid out ...

rower63

I let the rain do the job. Never washed a helmet.

surrey_commuter

to isolate the bad smell I had even washed my rucksack (shoulder straps stank) then after a few dunkings of the helmet in hot soapy water smell still bad so removed pads and put them through the washing machine and bad smell still there.

I run so hot I have only just started adding layers from standard summer gear

bigmat

Its something I just don't have an issue with. Have occasionally cleaned the pads but just because they looked a bit grubby, not smelly. Actually forgot to wear my helmet today, only realised when I tried to take it off when I got to work and it wasn't there! Only just started wearing a cap as the weather has started to cool, obviously confused my bonce.

leeefm

Never cleaned mine in four years.

It's truly rank, but I still wear it

pblakeney

Kieran_Burns wrote:

Soak it in bleach. That'll get the smell out and you'll have an amazing new look in the office on Monday.

Ouch!
Once a day (possibly two, morning and evening) with soap will suffice.
And there is no need to show it to the office as it could be a sackable offence.

roger_merriman

Got to admit I don't but then since I have very secure parking at work, I leave the helmet hanging from the top tube so it gets rained/lots of UV etc, thus far its been wiff free unlike my full lenght gloves which have always smelt like something undead has done something unthinkable...

kamiokande

Slather some anti-bacterial soap around the inside and onto the straps and give them a good going over with a nail brush or similar. Rub some into the pads as well and dunk them in some very hot water and leave to soak for a hour or so. Rinse everything with cold water. After it's all dry the smell should be diminished. A bit.

surrey_commuter

I have underground car park at work as well and I think stashing festering gloves and cap in it all day hasn't helped

I shall try the anti-bacterial soap

asprilla

I let the Mrs clean my helmet.

Consequently it never happens.