cyclezealot

Yesterday, we did some really steep climbing and it was hot and a little humid. I looked at the straps of my helmet, they were saturated with sweat . When I got home they smelled. How do you clean up your helmets.? I have always neglected it . I felt soaking it in water would destroy the pads. I have not seen replacement pads in the bike shops or anywhere else . A helmet without pads, I suspect would be uncomfortable and not fit correctly.

DPC

I wear mine in the shower if it needs cleaning. Seems to work well!

Blade-Runner

I rinse my out after every ride.

Take the pads out, place the in something that they will not fall out of and wash them with your cycling clothing.

thadcombs

+1 on the shower.
I put shampoo in my hair, rub my helmet around on my head, then rinse it off!

linux_author

after i ran through a set of pads, then subsequently cracked and replaced a helmet, i started wearing a cap during winter and a Pace cap underneath during summer(note that you can make your own via the link; i wear mine backwards to protect my neck from sunburn if using a visored helment).

voila! no more head oil soiling the pads!

YMMV

Hobartlemagne 

Put in in the washer and dryer. It will make a cool sound too.

dekindy

Remove pads being careful not to separate the pad from the backing. Wash in warm water. Take helmt into shower and place on shower floor so that it gets a good rinsing. Be careful not to step on it. Use soap and water on straps.

Replacement pads are available, silly. They are usually free if you contact the manufacturer directly. At least that is true for Bell since I just got some a few weeks ago. The pad separated from the backing because I was not careful enough when I removed the pad for cleaning. They needed replacing anyway.

chevy42083

Anyone think laying the pads/helmet out in the sun would kill the smell?
I try to do that with my gloves and it seems to work... then again, I also wash them with my clothes every now and then also.

cyclezealot

Dekindly. My bike shop did not carry pads. I will ask around. / Just after yesterday's ride, guess the smell reached some kind of apex. Yesterday's helmet, I thought to give it a test by using Fabreze laundry spray. I sprayed it directly onto the helmet and pads. See if that causes the pads to fall apart./ If the pads remain intact, I'll be doing this treatment more often and to my other helmets. / It seems in cooler weather, the helmet does not take on the stink as much.

GP

I use a hose. I leave the pads in.

If you need new pads, email the manufacturer. They've sent them to me for free.

Big_e

I hose my helmet down, then build up a good soapy lather with an old shaving brush. I lather up the inside and out of my helmet real good then rinse.
Ernest

Pockymonster

You're supposed to clean it? lol. I think leaving it in the sun UV rays should do a good number on it?

ottawa_adam

Bad smells are from bacteria.

Febreeze is not a good bacteria killer. And it's not all that great for you.

Try handwashing your pads and straps after every use. I use a natural deliciate clothing soap for mine. You can also add vinegar to the wash water. Vinegar kills bacteria pretty well.

Regular cleaning should help with the smell problem.

mrbrown

Take out the pads, wash them gently by hand. You can buy replacement pads online, I believe.

Rinse helmet with soap and water, inside and out.

I tell you where most of the smell comes from: The straps. Make sure you wash those thoroughly.

charly17201

If you're willing to spray one chemical straight on the helmet - pick a cheaper one.

Okay, for real I wouldn't spray on the whole helmet, but a little rubbing alcohol on the pads and straps will kill the smell. The alcohol kills the bacteria that cause 'non-chemical' smells. Use Febreeze and you're stuck with the smell of that stuff, the alcohol smell disipates very quickly.

JNSunSports

Hmmm, maybe my olfactory glands aren't working. I've had the same helmet for 8 years and never washed it once...of course everyone tries to say upwind of me...hmmmmm

Garfield Cat

Just like the jerseys, its best to clean right after a ride when they are still wet with sweat. Use garden hose and get the pads soaking wet, squeeze the sweat out at the same time garden hose rinses out the sweat. Straps are nylon so just hose it and sweat should come off.

I fasten the straps and hang upside down to let the sun do the drying. Find something to hang the helmet on. I use a folding lawn chair arm rest type thing. Same place where I dry the jersey and shorts

Tony Williams

Maybe pour baking soda inside it would work?

c_m_shooter

I assume your going to take a shower any way, right. Just take it in with you and rinse it off.

Closed Office

That reminds me of the old college advice about an easy way to do your
dishes if you don't have a dishwasher. Just put them in the shower and
sooner or later somebody will have to take a shower and when they do, the
dishes will be clean. And of course I guess you could also consider it
practicing safe showers.

thedips

i use disinfectant spray like they use at bowling alleys on rental shoes.... works wonders...