yucky helmet. how do you clean it
 

the pads inside my helmet was soaked after today's ride. i'm not sure if i'm supposed to pull off the pads. will they be falling off easily afterwards?

how do you wash your helmet? can i just leave it in a bucket of soapy water?

go take a shower with it on. If the shampoo is safe enough for your scalp, it will be fine for your helmet

I just toss the pads in the washing machine along with the bibs, jersey and gloves.

(put them in a net bag since they're so small)

so water doesn't weaken the foam? if so i can dunk it in a bucket, right?


and they stcik back on just as securely?

nope. I wouldn't use extremly hot water (as in near boiling) but normal water won't do anything.

there's velcro on mine. giro and LG helmets.

I've found that ripping the pads on/off the Velcro will tear them up over time. My sink has one of those hand sprayers, so I just spray it out with warm water after every few rides and press with a towel to get most of the water out. Everything is dry by the next day.

The velcro tends to be sticky-tape backed, so be careful you're actually separating the velcro and not pulling the sticky tape out with both sides of the velcro.

Don't some people just stick it in the dishwasher?
-Gene-

take it in the shower and shampoo the pads while inside the helmet.

Shampoo and into the shower ...

In the sink with a mild detergent. No need for disassembly. Make sure to rinse well - then rinse well again for good measure.

Shampoo in the shower. But I guess I'm embarrassed to say but I only clean mine about once per year.

Whatever you do, don't throw it in the washing machine. Now, where is that thread?

wow ive never washed those pads... i feel so dirty....

ride in the rain

+1 I have done that!

right here: http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=474490
:roflmao2:

+1

Put a tiny bit of detergent in a big bucket. Fill it 2/3 with warm water. Dunk your gloves, headband, whatever inside and then put the helmet in. Slosh the helmet back and forth a bunch, drain the water, rinse off, hang everything up to dry, voila... everything's ready for tomorrow's ride.

thanks for all the good suggestions. and the washing machine suggestion ... well i think i will give it a miss.

Nah. Put it in the washing machine. It'll be fine LOL......

the follicle-challenged avoid head smegma on one's pads by using a skull cap in summer or cycling cap in winter

this thread sucks.