acidfast7

I think the material would crack. I would NOT recommend this.

mikeybikes

Can I put my blue jeans in your freezer?

tjspiel

My son tried this with his shoes. The good news is that they didn't crack. The bad news is that now our freezer smells like his shoes.

sailbiker

I had this problem as well. The best "solution" I have found to this problem is Listerine... a soak in diluted Listerine overnight leaves my straps nice and fresh smelling and seems to kill off the bacteria.

mikeybikes

Vodka would be cheaper and probably have a similar effect. Though that might make you smell like a drunk.

Leisesturm

Seems, being the operative word. To soak a head protector properly, even a full bottle of Listerine would have to be diluted well past the point of any effectiveness. I spray the straps and pads of my HP with Clorox Clean-up with bleach. Then rinse then air dry. The easiest solution may be just to get a new HP. I had mine over five years before I noticed any odor. The pads are really mostly gone by now and it is mainly the straps that hold grease and sweat and therefore smell.

noglider 

Well, that's novel and clever! And worth a shot!

acidfast7

Sure, just ship them over.

scroca

Did I miss something? How do you wash it? Or do you put it in your freezer?

acidfast7

I'm not sure. By hand with mild detergent in water. I wouldn't recommend that due to the battery and sensors.

icepick_trotsky 

Freeze it. The batteries last longer that way.

Leisesturm

Better still, run into an SUV. You will get a new one, FREE...

SouthernGent

I wear a bandana under my helmet and wash it every few days. It definitely helps. Have you checked the company's website for your helmet? They may sell replacement liners if the smell is too bad to wash out. I wear a helmet designed for skateboarding, and the brand sells spare liners for them for like $15.

Eds0123

Does Your wifey know you do that? :-)

bbeasley

I live in the tropics of South Louisiana and as such can relate to OPs post. I've found that wearing a Nike dri fit featherlite ball cap under my helmet solves the problem. I wear mine backwards but whatever. This specific hat seems to form a barrier without causing over heating. These hats can be rinsed in cold water and dry very quickly and cleanly. The daily rinsing has not deformed or damaged the hat at all. The downside is the hats are a bit pricey ~$20 and as such many retailers don't stock them.

Cyril 

My Wife insists hers goes in when I do mine so, yes,my 'wifey' does know I do that.

mikeybikes

Maybe wear a cycling cap underneath the helmet to prevent future stink?

I honestly don't know how much that'd help since I don't wear a helmet.

walrus1

Hey everybody thanks for the suggestions! I just rinsed it out under the tub faucet and I'll let it dry overnight. If it still smells I'll try some gentle dish soap. I'm glad I finally washed it some of the straps had turned white from all the dried sweat! Thanks again everyone!

sci_femme

Here in Florida we wrote a definitive book on sweating. After each ride I put a folded paper towel to soaked pads and straps to wick as much moisture as possible, so pads and straps dry faster. This cuts down on smell drastically. Every once in a while I leave the head protector upside down in direct sun for couple hours and UV radiation kills everything. Smell is gone. YMMV

Maxillius

High heat works too. I used to leave my helmet in the car. But then I read heating them above 120F ruins the foam, and then I stopped wearing it altogether. But I never did have an issue with stink.

Eds0123

Why not put it on the shower floor when you take a shower after every ride and definitely after a hot and sweaty ride? No exotic and/or novel method needed. it is cheap. it is effective and does not take any of your valuable time. Let it dry over night. Problem solved and you always have a fresh and squeaky clean HP for every ride.

RubeRad

I remember what seems like the exact same words coming out of George Costanza's mouth once in an episode of Seinfeld. And based on when I was watching Seinfeld, 1995 might be about right. I wonder who was first?

walrus1

Ugh, so a roach climbed on top of my head protector as it was drying in the tub. I tried to shoo it off so I could give it the shoe and it climbed inside it. Well my head protector now smells Gain fresh but I'm still grossed out. Would spraying my helmet inside and out with Lysol disinfectant harm it? Or should I just wipe it with antibacterial wipes?


I know this sounds like a joke and I wish to god it was. But yep it just happened. Ah the joys of NYC apartment living.

acidfast7

It's actually microbes growing in the porous material. It will be fine but will smell in the long run.

PatrickGSR94

I also just take my helmet into the shower with me. Lather up the straps and pads with my regular body wash and then let it sit near a fan I have on the floor under my desk.