General Cycling Discussion - My Helmet Smells

Hey:

I've been riding about two months now and the pads in my Bell helmet are really starting to smell. How do I solve this? They kept falling out when I first started using it so I glued them to the helmet. How do I get rid of the odor without taking them out of the helmet? Thanks....

mine does too...maybe we can throw the whole thing in the washer:p

First off I not too sure how wise it was to glue the pads into your helmet. Depending on the glue it could break down the styrofoam of the helmet. (BAD) If you hadn't done that I'd say use some Woolite and cold water. Heck come to think of it why not just fill your sink up throw 1/2 a cap in and let the helmet soak. I wouldn't think it would hurt anymore than the glue would. Good Luck

I usually rinse my helmet out with water after a couple of rides. I just spray the pads with a hose and rub the water out of the pads. I then let the helmet dry overnight! I usually do this after my mt. bike rides while I'm cleaning the rest of the bike. That means about 4-5 road rides in between each mt bike ride. So far so good!

L8R

try 70 or 95% alcohol... available at your local drugstore :)

I have a full-face helmet, so I can just fill it op with water, add some doap, and clean it like a chicken soup bowl. I heard baking soda works real well too. Maybe Febreeze.

Originally posted by deliriou5
try 70 or 95% alcohol... available at your local drugstore :)

What's the trick here? Drink a couple shots of this, strictly for medicinal purposes of course, and you don't mind the smell anymore? ;)

I haven't tried this myself yet, but I've heard that some of the scent-killers used on hunting clothes have been used to kill scents in car interiors etc. I would think they would work great in a helmet.

It's global warming. Sorry,I couldn't help myself!

fill your mud sink with water and put some baking soda in it. helmet & gloves...

Awww just ride...

and rinse with water... works for me...

You are making me laugh tonight! Try febreze !I do that with my son's hockey equipment that I can not wash. It seems to help. Good luck!

Check out a motorcycle shop. Since alot of motorcycle helmets do not have removable pads shops usually cary a product that you can spray in the helmet to claen it and kill the smell. Or just try the rinse with water technique.
Slainte:beer:

I just take my helmet into the shower every once in a while and shampoo the pads and straps. Works pretty well! :)

Originally posted by threadend


What's the trick here? Drink a couple shots of this, strictly for medicinal purposes of course, and you don't mind the smell anymore? ;)

LOL

nah... i meant to pour it onto the pads... logic being that the alcohol will kill any odor causing bacteria or other microorganisms. this is after all the most common reason for stinky clothes odor.

Fill your kitchen sink with hot soapy water. Immerse the helmet/pads. Wash out the helmet. Wash out the pads like sponges. Rinse all thoroughly.

Helmet pads are easier to clean if they can be removed from the helmet. A regular washing, with time overnight to dry, should do the trick.

Helmet pads are excellent at holding in moisture for a long time. This is what makes them so good at growing odor-causing bacteria. So if you absolutely can't wash the helmet right away after riding, use a towel to squeeze the moisture/sweat out of
the pads. This will help them dry faster and help prevent the growth of bacteria (they won't grow on dry areas.)

I recommend only soap and water. Even some normal household cleaners can destroy the Styrofoam lining that most bike helmets are made of. For example, "citrus orange" type cleaners (see the label, containing "limonene") will dissolve styrofoam. See:

http://www.floridachemical.com/d-limonenestyrofoamrecycling.htm

In researching the effect of other solvents and cleaners on Stryrofoam, I found this:

http://www.epa.gov/grtlakes/seahome/housewaste/house/chlorofl.htm

Brings up the question: do cyclists contribute to the widening hole in the ozone layer?

I take my helmet into the shower after a ride and give it a quick rinse off. Afterwards I put it in a ventilated area and it is ready for the next day. I glued the pads in my helmet as well, but the water seems to rinse all the way through, since there is no smell. It really is that simple.:D

Originally posted by mechBgon
I just take my helmet into the shower every once in a while and shampoo the pads and straps. Works pretty well! :)

lol

Originally posted by poululla
I take my helmet into the shower after a ride and give it a quick rinse off. Afterwards I put it in a ventilated area and it is ready for the next day. I glued the pads in my helmet as well, but the water seems to rinse all the way through, since there is no smell. It really is that simple.:D
That has got to be the smartest thing I've heard yet!

My pads are velcroed in, so I just throw them in a pillowcase whenever I wash some lycra and/or my gloves. Seems to do the trick.

Air dry, of course.