Offending myself

[Gonzo]

What does anybody here use to clean their helmets inside?

Just as I close my visor I get the effluvia of yesterday's sweat.
I wonder what I can use to clean it? I don't want a cover-up odor or a chemical smell, just to clean it.

Any ideas?
thanx,
Gonzo

[ChipSTer]

I bought my helmet a little big and always use a Doo-Rag... That way, I can just drop the Doo-Rag in the wash... :D However, I do think that the liners are supposed to be machine washable. (But a real PITA to get out and put back)... Also, don't put it in the dryer... You really don't want it to shrink! :D
:cool:

[Mac]

Lysol?:eek:


Washing the liner if it is removable is good. There are various sprays you can use to help remove odor but not be overpowering. Ozium is one I recall from my days in Aviation. Also look into a helmet liner or "Doo" rag.

[Marshal_Mercer]

"Fabreeze" works for mees. Wipe it on with a cloth after riding. Cleans and deodorizes. Works really well. Can buy this stuff at almost any market.

Marshal

[DaveH]

"Fabreeze" works for mees. Wipe it on with a cloth after riding. Cleans and deodorizes. Works really well. Can buy this stuff at almost any market.

Marshal

I second that!

Dave :usflag1:

[XON]

that 'offending' oneself resulted in hairy palms, blindness, and premature



























greying hair. . .

:p:

[tricky_micky]

We have a Helmet cleaner that comes in a spray can, and is made by Carburol.

You just shake the can, spray it into the lining of the helmet, leave it for about 30 seconds and then wipe off with some kitchen roll or something similar.

It cleans the lining and makes it smell nice :D

[STumpy]

Lysol?:eek:


Washing the liner if it is removable is good. There are various sprays you can use to help remove odor but not be overpowering. Ozium is one I recall from my days in Aviation. Also look into a helmet liner or "Doo" rag.

I use Ozium too. Works pretty good.

[Littlejohn64]

Fabreeze
And when its really bad, I take out the lining and hand wash it.

Ive also been known to fill helmets that have non removable liners with a weak solution of laundry soap and water, swish it around, then rinse, repeat as necessary and dry thoroughly.

[STumpy]

Put it in the freezer. No, I'm not kidding.

Ok, after reading YOUR post about "what dumb things you have done.." I know there has got to be more to this advice !!!! ;)

[Need4Speed]

I purchased some Moterex Helmet Cleaner from Cycle Gear in Austin for $6.29 a can a while back. You spray it on, let it soak and blot it off. The guy behind the counter at Cycle Gear swore by it. I haven't used it yet. So, I can't report on how well it works. After a few more hot days of riding , I will probably need it.

I tend to agree with using a weak solution antibacterial soap to soak and blot, then thoroughly dry I am a little cautious about using sprays containing perfume that only masks odor.

I haven't tried using a liner or doo rag yet.

I am also interested in hearing the rest of the freezer story . . .

[STratus]

Every month or so I remove the liner and hand wash with laundry detergent. Daily I plop it on the shelf shield open with an unscented dryer sheet inside.

[Polovision]

Put a sheet of bounce in there and leave over night. Next morning it will smell very fresh!

[Wake ForeST]

When I get home on a hot sweaty day, I put the helmet over an AC vent in the house to dry it out. I'll have to drop by the local Cycle Gear and try out the Motorex.

I don't think the liner in my Arai Jimmy Adamo helmet is removeable. Oh poo.

[SteveST1300]

I just tried helmet fresh for the first time it works ok. But I think Fabreeze may be the way to go or just a simple hand wash.:03biker:

[Clair]

My Scorpion helmet has a removable liner! :-)

[Need4Speed]

I guess it wouldn't bother me too much if my helmet smelled like the smoked deer sausage in my freezer.

[STratus]

The July '06 Motorcyclist has an article called "Basic Training: Helmet Care 101". Several people from the larger manufacturers give care tips.

The CYA advice made it seem that if you bump your helmet on the door when you enter your house then you must replace it.

Apparently helmets are more fragile than lladro porcelain figures.

[Gonzo]

To all:
I appreciate all of your responses to this question. I have seen the commercials for Febreze on the Tube and while I was in Home Depot getting some tools I checked up and yes, the ingrediets list shows "fragrance added".
Again, please, I don't want any cover-up odor, new odor, perfume, fresh smell additives, what I am looking for is NO ODOR.
I think I have heard of Oziium in the distant past, but not any of the other products mentioned. If you could please tell me where I can get them here in Sunny Southern California, or at least tell me what the ingredient list is, I would love to hear it.
In the meantime, I plan a small experiment:
Place the helmet on a shelf overnight encased in a plastic bag with a small dish of baking soda therein.
Whio knows?
Gonzo

[willd]

Every couple of months during the hot weather in AZ, I'd just grab the helmet and use a bit of ivory soap (no fragrance), wet down the liner, soap up and rinse rinse rinse. Let it dry for a day (or stick it outside in AZ) and good as new!

[milkmaster]

I just unsnap mine and either throw it in the washing machine or hand wash it in the kitchen sink. Let it dry and snap it right back in easily. I have an HJC helmet. I do NOT put the items in the dryer. According to the wife, it also leaves a pleasant taste in the next day's tossed salad from the sink. :)

[UNTMatt]

Febreeze or a generic equivilant on a more daily use.

Some helmets you can remove the liners for cleaning. I think in these cases, it's self explanitory.

On the one's that they aren't, a friend swore by this method: Fill a large tub...bathtub if that's all you have...put some mild dish detergent in it, put the helmet in, and 'swish' it around for a few minutes. Rinse well and let air dry. He said you would be suprised at the bugs that come out of the air vents....:eek:

[tomm]

Years ago we learned you could put your favorite ball cap in the dishwasher and it would come out clean. Recently I have applied the same technology to my HJCs with the same results. Put in in the bottom, leave the liner in, turn off the drying cycle and let 'er go. When you remove it, remove the liner and squeeze our the water and dry it by itself, set the helmet somewhere it can air dry and in a few hours you/ve got a new helmet.........tom

[Gonzo]

It works.
Just as you would put some baking soda in your reefer to absorb the odors, it works in a helmet also.
I put some in a shallow dish, wrapped my helmet in a plastic bag, then put the dish in the bottom of the helmet and left it in the garage over the w/e of July 4.
All odors gone. No work, no sweat.
Gonzo

[tomm]

Put it in the dishwasher. Remove on completion without drying, remove the liner and dry it separately and air dry the shell and padding. Works great...

Tom

[mayner]

What is this cleaning of helmet behavior? Have we all gone soft?

( :p: ) :pig1:

[Gonzo]

Mayner,
Yep, getting close to age 64 now, and I always sweat rivers, especially while racing triathlon.
Helmet gets WET...and it has a strong odor. Personally I have lots of tolerance for bad odors, and I grew up with outdoor plumbing, too.
As an aside, my sweat seems to be very acid, so I'm hoping to avoid helmet rot.

the ol' softie, Gonzo

[Mark]

I put my RF1000 in the bottom section of the dishwasher for the 1st time 3 weeks ago. I added about 11 grains of dry dish soap and let her rip.
I just put it back on and rode until it was dry (felt great in AZ's June temps! :-) )

There was some damage... the paper sticker on the chin bar is now gone... :o:

I'll be doing it again next time it gets funky.

Gonzo,
Baking Soda will remove oder; but, will not clean... I suspect the smell will return.
Oh and to make sure you have no fragrance you'll have to make sure you don't have jetdry in the DW... and skip the soap too...

Mark

[ajaugust]

I just got back from RTE Galena. It was great to see everyone!!! It was hot and sweaty, but I think we all had a great time.
But....,
...good god, y'all... does my helmet stink. I am glad that I came across this thread. 'cause right at this moment, my lid smells like a wet labrador retriever!!! I bet that if I left out in my yard, I would have at least a couple of horny dogs "looking" at it.
My lining is not removable, so I am doing to do the bath tub/soap... bath tub rinse routine. I swear I've got the perfect candidate for it. I will post results.

GEEEEEeeeeezzzz... and I was wearing this thing on my HEAD!!

[dteel]

The first time I noticed an odor from my helmet I gave it a quick shot of Febreze and just let it sit overnight. Yeah, the next day I noticed a slight odor of perfume, but nothing after that. :cool: I don't think it just covers odor but uses some active ingredient to help remove the cause of the odor. Heck I’m an EE not a chemist, I only know that it worked for me. :p: I have an HJC and can remove the lining for cleaning when it gets too funky for Febreze. I like the quick fix for now though and since the wife always has bunches of Febreze on hand, I typically have my choice of fragrances.

Gonzo, as long as you’ve found something that works for you, that’s what’s important. :) I find it strange that you state, “Personally I have lots of tolerance for bad odors” but you can’t stand the smell of a bit of fragrance from Febreze (which I personally find to be fairly light).:D

[Gonzo]

dteel,
I don't actually have any problem with the odor of Febreze. It's just that I wanted no odor at all. The baking soda is non-toxic and is a short-term solution. Having said that, I still will decide on one method or another for washing it. I just have not decided yet.
Gonzo

[Biddyman]

I just got back from RTE Galena. It was great to see everyone!!! It was hot and sweaty, but I think we all had a great time.
But....,
...good god, y'all... does my helmet stink. I am glad that I came across this thread. 'cause right at this moment, my lid smells like a wet labrador retriever!!! I bet that if I left out in my yard, I would have at least a couple of horny dogs "looking" at it.
My lining is not removable, so I am doing to do the bath tub/soap... bath tub rinse routine. I swear I've got the perfect candidate for it. I will post results.

GEEEEEeeeeezzzz... and I was wearing this thing on my HEAD!!

I put my helmet in my topbox not thinking after the RTE. I went to get it out this weekend and it had fuzzy stuff growing in it. I'm thinking I will have to freeze it. Febreeze isn't working.

[Austin city limits]

I put my helmet in my topbox not thinking after the RTE. I went to get it out this weekend and it had fuzzy stuff growing in it. I'm thinking I will have to freeze it. Febreeze isn't working.

COOL!!!

Now it will smell like fresh mowed hay if you let it grow and cut it at the right height!!!:D

What do I do???

I plan on having an accident which removes the odor offending helmet from my rotation...

UUUuuuMMMmmm,,, I need to have a better plan from now on...:o:

[Biddyman]

Terry,

I'd say that isn't the best way to rotate helmets or jackets. Maybe, you can sell them at the moonshine run slightly used.:eek:

I'm also wondering if newspaper in the helmet would get the odor out. I've smelled the results of newspaper in a stinky freezer. It works.

It smells like an old tennis shoe. I had to wear it for two hours riding with the face shield cracked open so I wouldn't pass out.

[Putt]

Or bikes....

Putt...

Terry,

I'd say that isn't the best way to rotate helmets or jackets. Maybe, you can sell them at the moonshine run slightly used.:eek:

I'm also wondering if newspaper in the helmet would get the odor out. I've smelled the results of newspaper in a stinky freezer. It works.

It smells like an old tennis shoe. I had to wear it for two hours riding with the face shield cracked open so I wouldn't pass out.

[Austin city limits]

True Dat Putt!!!

:(

2 bikes I loved,,, over just 2 years gone... And the PERFECT bike in my eyes,,, my BEAUTIFUL ST,,, gone... That hurts worse than my busted shoulder...

If I didn't have boxes and boxes of Little Debbies to pull me through,,, I think I would cry... :o: