View Poll Results: What is the best solution for a stinky helmet?
Clothes washing machine, with laundry detergent
1
3.33%
Dish washing machine, with dish detergent
0
0%
Shower, with shampoo
9
30.00%
Soaking in the sink, with dish detergent
8
26.67%
Freezing overnight
0
0%
Buy a new helmet
12
40.00%
Voters: 30. You may not vote on this poll
Best solution for a smelly helmet
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Arlington, VA
Posts: 158
Bikes: Jamis Aurora Elite (2011); Trek 520 (2006); Specialized Globe (2005); Lemond Zurich (2003)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Best solution for a smelly helmet
Daily riding in hot weather has left my helmet almost too gross to wear. Both pads and straps stink from sweat, and the pads are a bit frayed from wear, too. After reading this thread and also this thread, I have seen many suggestions for washing the helmet. So I ask those with experience: what has worked for you, and causes the least damage to your helmet?
#2
Retrogrouch in Training
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Knee-deep in the day-to-day
Posts: 5,484
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I take out the removable pads and wash them in vinegar and then some soapy water. Be sure to rinse when you're all done.
If the straps are smelly, just some regular old water should do the trick.
If the straps are smelly, just some regular old water should do the trick.
#3
Junior Member
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Texas
Posts: 23
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I have a spray bottle of a 50% solution of water/vinegar and spray my helmet and camelback down once a week. Then I run it under the shower and let it dry.
#4
Life is good
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Not far from the Withlacoochee Trail. 🚴🏻
Posts: 18,209
Bikes: 2018 Lynskey Helix Pro
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 522 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 10 Times
in
10 Posts
Regular washing helps.
I got caught in an afternoon shower a few weeks ago. I hadn't remembered to wash my helmet in a few months and for about a mile (till it was all "washed" out) had salty, crappy-tasting rain water running down my face and into the corner of my mouth. Spit! Spit! Spit!
I got caught in an afternoon shower a few weeks ago. I hadn't remembered to wash my helmet in a few months and for about a mile (till it was all "washed" out) had salty, crappy-tasting rain water running down my face and into the corner of my mouth. Spit! Spit! Spit!
__________________
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. - Psalm 103:8
I am a cyclist. I am not the fastest or the fittest. But I will get to where I'm going with a smile on my face.
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. - Psalm 103:8
I am a cyclist. I am not the fastest or the fittest. But I will get to where I'm going with a smile on my face.
#5
staring at the mountains
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Castle Pines, CO
Posts: 4,560
Bikes: Obed GVR, Fairdale Goodship, Salsa Timberjack 29
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 394 Post(s)
Liked 197 Times
in
112 Posts
The pads should be removeable, wash them. I give the inside of my helmet a quick shot of Lysol when I hang it up (a habit picked up from having hockey gear to deal with too)
#7
Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 45
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
In addition to the tips above, you could also use any readily available deodorizers like Fabreze, etc. I think the most overlooked, cheapest and often most effective is sunlight. Letting your helmet sit out on a breezy sunny day will help break up and release odor molecules.
#8
Two wheels is two wheels
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Brisbane, CA
Posts: 876
Bikes: Pee Wee Herman Special
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Febreze works good, but also stuffing newspaper in the helmet helps a whole lot. I do it all the time with my moto helmets.
#9
Arizona Dessert
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: AZ
Posts: 15,029
Bikes: Cannondale SuperSix, Lemond Poprad. Retired: Jamis Sputnik, Centurion LeMans Fixed, Diamond Back ascent ex
Mentioned: 76 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5345 Post(s)
Liked 2,169 Times
in
1,288 Posts
My helmet actually gets more stinky in the winter when its more humid and less hot to dry it out overnight. But it also gets stinky in the so called 'monsoon' season we have here, with a bit higher humidities, which is about now.
I like to take out pads and hand wash them thoughoughly in dishsoap. Also wash the helmet in sink with dishsoap. Lay it out in full sun to dry. A quick very light spritz of some alcohol based deoderant (or purfume) on the inside helps too. Not much as you don't want to damage helmet. Seems to get rid of the stink - main thing you want to do is kill the bacteria which sun and alcohol can do.
Al
I like to take out pads and hand wash them thoughoughly in dishsoap. Also wash the helmet in sink with dishsoap. Lay it out in full sun to dry. A quick very light spritz of some alcohol based deoderant (or purfume) on the inside helps too. Not much as you don't want to damage helmet. Seems to get rid of the stink - main thing you want to do is kill the bacteria which sun and alcohol can do.
Al
#10
Enjoy
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Seattle metro
Posts: 6,165
Bikes: Trek 5200
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
What my helmet stinks? Wash a helmet? Never thought of it.
Guess it's not hot enough that often here to even consider it! [goes off to sniff helmet]
Guess it's not hot enough that often here to even consider it! [goes off to sniff helmet]
#11
Batüwü Griekgriek
Join Date: May 2005
Location: NYC - for the moment...
Posts: 2,911
Bikes: 1986 Trek 500 Tri Series, 2005 Cannondale R1000
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 24 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
buy a new one.
Maybe it's marketing hype recommending a new lid every year. Then again it's yer brains, so what the hey? I don't mind dropping $ on a new jersey or tires so why not a brain bucket?
Maybe it's marketing hype recommending a new lid every year. Then again it's yer brains, so what the hey? I don't mind dropping $ on a new jersey or tires so why not a brain bucket?
#14
Arizona Dessert
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: AZ
Posts: 15,029
Bikes: Cannondale SuperSix, Lemond Poprad. Retired: Jamis Sputnik, Centurion LeMans Fixed, Diamond Back ascent ex
Mentioned: 76 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5345 Post(s)
Liked 2,169 Times
in
1,288 Posts
Originally Posted by Toddorado
Bell Helmets send me free pads every two months or so.
I get free pads from Giro (hmmm... are they part of Bell) whenever I call and ask.
But I've noticed the stench has gotten into the chin straps, harder to clean and/or replace.
Al
#15
Batüwü Griekgriek
Join Date: May 2005
Location: NYC - for the moment...
Posts: 2,911
Bikes: 1986 Trek 500 Tri Series, 2005 Cannondale R1000
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 24 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
you could also try patchouli.
I once gave a girlfriend a coupla rides on my motorbike and afterwards my helmet smelled liked her perfume for a good, l - o - n - g time. That stuff will cover ANYthing!
I once gave a girlfriend a coupla rides on my motorbike and afterwards my helmet smelled liked her perfume for a good, l - o - n - g time. That stuff will cover ANYthing!
__________________
Last edited by pgoat; 09-01-05 at 03:33 PM.
#17
34x25 FTW!
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: NYC
Posts: 6,013
Bikes: Kona Jake, Scott CR1, Dahon SpeedPro
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I don't think I've ever washed a helmet. Get enough riding in the rain, I guess and it's all good.
#18
I <3 my bike.
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Durham, NC
Posts: 104
Bikes: '00 Gary Fisher Big Sur // '02 Giant Boulder // Couple of '81 no-name 10 speeds
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I haven't yet experienced this helmet stink you speak of, but for sandal stink, which boy howdy do I know well... I use a product called "sandal suds."
I wonder if that would work for the straps since it's the same kind of material as the straps on Chacos.
Beck
I wonder if that would work for the straps since it's the same kind of material as the straps on Chacos.
Beck
#19
Commuting Horrorshow
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Livorno, Toscana, Italia
Posts: 503
Bikes: Giant OCR3, Decathlon ****box.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I pull out the pads and wash them with Dr. Bronner's in the sink. That seems to do the trick. In fact I wash all of my bike clothing that way.
#20
Macaws Rock!
Join Date: May 2005
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 1,513
Bikes: 2005 Soma Doublecross
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
I use shampoo (Johnson's Baby Shampoo) in the shower and wash the whole helmet with it. Rinse thoroughly with warm water, then blot out the excess moisture and let it air dry for a day. Gets all the salt and stink out and leaves it smelling great.
__________________
---
San Francisco, California
---
San Francisco, California
#21
Macaws Rock!
Join Date: May 2005
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 1,513
Bikes: 2005 Soma Doublecross
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
Originally Posted by pgoat
you could also try patchouli.
That stuff nauseates me. I was there in the "Flower Power" sixties, and hippies used to use patchouli instead of showering, so the smell of B.O. mixed with patchouli is forever burned into my brain.
__________________
---
San Francisco, California
---
San Francisco, California
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Albany, WA
Posts: 7,393
Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 321 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times
in
6 Posts
I just smelled my helmet after 9 months of commuting and other riding, often with bucketloads of sweat running off.
I can't catch even the faintest whiff, it is completely odor free. Never washed it. How do I do it? (I'm not that clean, my armpits knock out possums at 300 yards after a hot ride.)
After every ride, I take a cloth or paper towel and press firmly on the pads until they are dry. I never considered smell for this exercise, I do it because I hate putting on a wet helmet. Looks like it works for smell too.
I can't catch even the faintest whiff, it is completely odor free. Never washed it. How do I do it? (I'm not that clean, my armpits knock out possums at 300 yards after a hot ride.)
After every ride, I take a cloth or paper towel and press firmly on the pads until they are dry. I never considered smell for this exercise, I do it because I hate putting on a wet helmet. Looks like it works for smell too.
#23
Batüwü Griekgriek
Join Date: May 2005
Location: NYC - for the moment...
Posts: 2,911
Bikes: 1986 Trek 500 Tri Series, 2005 Cannondale R1000
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 24 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by michaelnel
Urrrppppp!
That stuff nauseates me. I was there in the "Flower Power" sixties, and hippies used to use patchouli instead of showering, so the smell of B.O. mixed with patchouli is forever burned into my brain.
That stuff nauseates me. I was there in the "Flower Power" sixties, and hippies used to use patchouli instead of showering, so the smell of B.O. mixed with patchouli is forever burned into my brain.
I once went to a concert (B. Dylan) and Toni Basil was the opening act.....not my cuppa tea....... anyhoo, some woman behind me was positively IN-FUSED with the stuff....at first i thought someone had eaten pastrami, puked it up all over themselves and then came to the show anyway.....she was seated right behind me and I was gagging all the way through the opening act.
Luckily she got up and left in between sets, so the Dylan show was patchouli free
actually in MODERATION I don't mind the stuff. but only if the underlying user is clean - and being outdoors helps (even better on a MC - with them behind you!! )
mind, it could be worse than your memories....I've had the displeasure of being around 90s hipsters who eschew bathing in the interest of bohemianism, sans patchouli smokescreen...trust me, it's NOT an improvement.
__________________
Last edited by pgoat; 09-02-05 at 04:48 AM.
#24
Enthusiasm on Wheels
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Kansas City, MO
Posts: 725
Bikes: 1953 Schwinn Debutante, 1971 Hercules 3-speed, 1973 Schwinn Suburban, 1990 Huffy White River, 1990-something Bianchi Advantage, 1996 Trek 800
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I would suggest to make a paste out of baking soda, smear it all over in your helmet, let it sit overnight, and then rinse it out. I'd wash the pads as normal, maybe using a "stripping" shampoo for oily hair, and rinse them in water with baking soda in it.
I do this with my gloves which get very manky and it seems to take care of the nastiness quite handily.
Ugh, I've been there a few too many times. And it is so very shockily disgusting to recognize that you're spitting out a good month's worth of fosselized sweat.
I do this with my gloves which get very manky and it seems to take care of the nastiness quite handily.
Originally Posted by RonH
Regular washing helps.
I got caught in an afternoon shower a few weeks ago. I hadn't remembered to wash my helmet in a few months and for about a mile (till it was all "washed" out) had salty, crappy-tasting rain water running down my face and into the corner of my mouth. Spit! Spit! Spit!
I got caught in an afternoon shower a few weeks ago. I hadn't remembered to wash my helmet in a few months and for about a mile (till it was all "washed" out) had salty, crappy-tasting rain water running down my face and into the corner of my mouth. Spit! Spit! Spit!
__________________
Wheeeee!
Wheeeee!
#25
Banned.
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Anti Social Media-Land
Posts: 3,078
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
2 Posts
1. Make baking soda paste-2 parts baking soda to 1 part water.
2. Apply a liberal amount to odorous areas.
3. I prefer to let dry and brush off or rub off if you cannot wait.
4. Use with confidence!
2. Apply a liberal amount to odorous areas.
3. I prefer to let dry and brush off or rub off if you cannot wait.
4. Use with confidence!