Helmet cleaning

[Bayouboy]

Ok, this may sound weird.

How do I clean the inside of my helmet? I rode Sunday. I stored my helmet in the side compartment. I took it out yesterday for a ride and it has an awful smell. My head does tend to sweat a lot with the helmet on. Just wondering if anybody else experienced this issue.

 

[SpyderAnn01]

If your pads are removable take them out and wash them with warm soapy water. It helps if you wear a skull cap (I wear a Heat Out from Cycle Gear) they will absorb most of the sweat.

You could also spray with Lysol

 

[Peter Aawen]

Most of the inside pads on modern helmets 'click out' & you can wash them with a mild soap or detergent mix & rinse very well with clean water before drying in the shade (naturally, not forced drying!) The inside (& outside) of the helmet can be cleaned while the pads etc are out, but generally you should only use lukewarm water there, unless the manufacturer allows something else (in the documentation for the helmet), and then once cleaned you can dry it with a soft cloth.

Pads etc should be cleaned regularly & replaced as soon as signs of wear become evident, & the solid bits inside the helmet should be inspected for wear or damage often too; altho in the case of the solid bits inside, any damage/deterioration warrants replacement of the helmet!

Enjoy! :thumbup:

 

[Bayouboy]

I didn't realize the insides should be removable. I will check that out this afternoon. Thanks for helping the newbie!

 

[SPECTACUALR SPIDERMAN]

i bought some stuff from my dealer a few years ago, spray it in a mist and then a few hours later it is fine, anitbacterial or something.

 

[Road-Kill]

Ok, this may sound weird.

How do I clean the inside of my helmet? I rode Sunday. I stored my helmet in the side compartment. I took it out yesterday for a ride and it has an awful smell. My head does tend to sweat a lot with the helmet on. Just wondering if anybody else experienced this issue.

I don't clean the inside of my helmet....ever! You will end up damaging the fragile foam/Styrofoam, even with so called "removable" liners. I wear a head scarf and have many of them. I throw them into the wash every few rides and just grab a clean one. Amazon sells them on the cheap, buy a few, ride clean, ride cool. I use them year round, they keep you head cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

These are what I wear 100% of the time.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B019F1XRNG?ref_=ams_ad_dp_asin_2

 

[BajaRon]

Never put your helmet away damp or wet (inside). Always put it somewhere that it can air dry. You can end up with some pretty nasty stuff growing in there if you don't.

The cloth liner on many helmet cheek pads can be removed and washed separately from the foam padding and backing. Liners, not so much. If you carefully hand wash them and let them air dry you should be ok. The foam padding in a decently made helmet will stand up to this process quite well. Just be gentle.

This clip applies specifically to an Arai helmet. But most decent to well made helmets have, at least, removable cheek pads if not the head liner as well. Also, new padding can almost always be found if you want to go that route.

 

[Bob Denman]

I give mine a drink of Febreeze every once in a while... It helps to keep the flies from gathering! :yikes:

 

[JayBros]

I give mine a drink of Febreeze every once in a while... It helps to keep the flies from gathering! :yikes:

:roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack:

 

[Bob Denman]

 

[SpyderF3-s]

I use Lysol on my helmet every few weeks.

 

[Copperman]

I use Lysol on my helmet every few weeks.

I use Lysol instead of hair spray.

 

[greybeard]

I use Lysol instead of hair spray.

would that be lemony fresh :yikes::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack:

 

[ARtraveler]

All good cleaning ideas above. :yes:

 

[Bayouboy]

Thanks everyone. See y'all on the road. :doorag:

 

[Fat Baxter]

If you know the specific make and model of your helmet. go to Revzilla.com and see if they have a review of it. Frequently, there's a video describing its features, including how to take out the interior pieces for cleaning.

 

[SPYD1]

These helmets can become a breeding zone for bacteria. They need to be disinfected once in awhile especially when you have been sweating.

 

[Buckeye Bleau]

Just some information that you may or may not want, but it is free advise, and worth every penny.

Lysol is what we call a dual phenol cleaner, meaning that it is a incredibly effective bacteriacide / germicide. You can be assured that it will kill that nasty odor causing critters. About the only thing that in my opinion is a better germicide is sodium hypochlorite, i.e. Clorox, not bleach, but please don't use that in your helmet.

Oh one other point from a sanitarian point of view,"You can sanitize a turd but it is still a turd." Clean it then sanitize is or disinfect it, the level of eradication is up to you.

Joe