warning about cleaning helmets

[b-kul]

my dad soaked his giro helmet in oxyclean a few times, it ended up drying out and cracking the foam and seperating the shell from the foam. the helmet was less than a year old, just a heads up if you are thinking about putting your helmet in a solvent.

[Slowup]

I once used a product called Shoe-Goo to try and reglue a velcro strip that had come unglued from the inside of a Louis Garneau helmet.

I thought, hey if this stuff works good on repairing shoes, it should be the cat's meow for a helmet.

Wrongo.

I got to watch as the shoe repair product ate away at the helmet's styrofoam and create a big hole where I was doing the repair and completely destroying the helmet in the process.

Keep shoe repair glues away from your helmet!

[rogbie]

Use mild soap and warm water, remove pads and wash separately from helmet.

[Foltz77]

Velcro seperated from a pair of fox gloves.. was told to gorilla glue it back on... it ate the Velcro...

[Wishful Tomcat]

Use mild soap and warm water, remove pads and wash separately from helmet.

Likewise, I just give mine a scrub while in the shower.

[pfox90]

Wait... people wash their helmets?

[NYrr496]

Wait... people wash their helmets?

Really man... What's up with that?

[JRS73]

Just hose it out.

[mudge]

Rinse with water in the shower after every three or four rides, let air dry. I just hang mine by the strap from the shower head. No muss, no fuss... works like a charm.

[schristie11]

I rinse in sink if it get something on it but never soaked or dunked it.

Some people sweat a lot and it probably stinks bad, I have no idea what to do about that.

[fsrxc]

I rinse in sink if it get something on it but never soaked or dunked it.

Some people sweat a lot and it probably stinks bad, I have no idea what to do about that.

Most liners/pads can be removed (unvelcro'd) from the helmet to clean them.

[rogbie]

Some people sweat a lot and it probably stinks bad, I have no idea what to do about that.

Distilled white vinegar, about a quarter cup per gallon of water, will help kill smell causing bacteria.

But, test a small area first to make sure it doesn't ruin anything.

[Pau11y]

I like a diluted (3%...standard grocery store bottle type) hydrogen peroxide (1:1 w/ tap water) in a spray bottle. Spray until saturate, then rinse thoroughly. Yeah, I know hydrogen peroxide is the same end product as oxyclean. H2O2 is a biological solvent, but I don't dunk and let sit since some glues and foams may have organics. It doesn't take much H2O2 and time to kill the stink-causing germs so rinsing right after works well.
Rogbie's vinegar idea works. But typically, bacteria can survive in acidic environments a bit longer than alkali...which is why I like (diluted) H2O2.

[kjlued]

Wait... people wash their helmets?

Seriously, never crossed my mind to wash it.

[WarBoom]

I've put mine in the dishwasher when it smelled really bad
But normally I just spray off dirt with a hose

[rogbie]

Rogbie's vinegar idea works. But typically, bacteria can survive in acidic environments a bit longer than alkali...which is why I like (diluted) H2O2.

For the extra smelly stuff I add a bit of borax to the solution. Plus, borax gives the white bits an extra sparkle.

[Cycling Cyco]

Wait... people wash their helmets?

I haven't washed my helmet in about a year an a half.

[schristie11]

For the extra smelly stuff I add a bit of borax to the solution. Plus, borax gives the white bits an extra sparkle.

Borax?
The leading ingredient in Ant killing insecticide?

[Pike14]

I just literally take a shower with my helmet after I ride. If I notice that it's starting to smell, I bring it in the shower for my post ride wash up. Keep in mind, I've got a very understanding girlfriend, so finding my helmet drying in the shower does nothing to phase her-she's a cyclist as well so she's caught onto the habit.

All it takes is a little warm water and soap and it'll be just like new again.

[Haligan78]

Wait... people wash their helmets?

First thing that crossed my mind as well.

[S_Trek]

Simple Green user here.

[thomllama]

I wipe mine down after a few rides... pull the pad and throw it in the laundry (actually I buy extras as I sweat BAD!)

the hard shell and inside just wipe with lysol wipes... clean and smelling fresh, like the citrus smelling ones in the green bottle the best

[exploreit]

I just use a lil soap n water

[MTBeing]

Just hose it out.

^ What he said.

Sent from my mountain bike while crashing

[redfox1939]

Avoid all solvents and harsh, petroleum-based cleaning materials-they'll weaken the helmet by attacking the foam and shell. Don't sticker up the shell-many adhesives will weaken it, rendering the helmet unsafe.
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