Helmets Helmet Washing!

SupraSabre

SupraSabre

48 Years of SoCal Lane Splitting/Commuting-Retired
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Nov 20, 2005
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453
Location
Cedar City, Utah
Bike
12/04/AZ05 ST 1300s
2025 Miles
006248
Okay, I have to admit, before seeing it here a few months back, I never...ever washed the insides of a helmet! It just never occurred to me that you "could"!:o:

So I got brave yesterday, took my 3 year old Shoei Multitech helmet apart and with a little clothes washing soap, cleaned my helmet in my bathroom sink...that way I could rinse it in the tub.

WOW what a difference. It's like new inside! :clap2:

So thanks to those that shared their ideas on cleaning helmets! :hat1:
 
Makes it bearable to put your head in. I wash mine at least 3 times every summer if I'm putting lots of miles on where it's hot.

Shoei rep told me it's fine to submerge the helmet and wash it really well, let it dry and it's great, as you said like new.

Even though I've done it before for some reason I'm always a bit surprised by how nasty the water looks when I wash it :eek:
 
Blue One said:
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Even though I've done it before for some reason I'm always a bit surprised by how nasty the water looks when I wash it :eek:
Click to expand...

Yeah, that surpirsed me as well...yuk! that is what I was putting my head into everytime? :puk1:
 
I hand wash the portion of the lining where my head contacts on an annual basis. I've never understood the total immersion method because it's going to inevitably trap moisture in places hard to dry for a period of time (and I don't want water still migrating around the inside of the helmet on my first ride after the wash). I've also heard of guys putting the helmet inside a dishwasher and that sort of grosses me out (and I really couldn't tell you why). :confused:
 
If you do put it in the dishwasher make sure the washer is clean and use a *little laundry detergent like woolite etc.
Dishwasher detergent is pretty caustic stuff. Also make sure it doesn't see heated dry.
 
A big thumbs up to helmet washing.

2 weeks ago in prep for this years riding I disassembled my Nolan N-103, the sales rep pointed out that the inner liner and foam side pads could be removed for washing, which was a major selling point. I just threw mine in the washing machine all by themselves, cold water, gentle cycle, with some Woolite detergent. Good as new and smelling like...Nothing! This will be a new spring time ritual from now on.
 
After my trip State's side, I think I will have to wash my Shoei too...... it has an unpleasant sweaty smell in there..... eeouw!!!
 
After putting my helmet on the floor of a Friendly's it smelled like rich popcorn butter for days *yuck*. Took the liner out and washed it in a gas station sink with hand soap, and rinsed it thoroughly. Wiped the helmet with a soapy paper towel.

Fresh as new.
 
I take my helmet in the shower and lather the whole thing up with shampoo. Rinse then allow it to drip dry in the shower, then air dry in the sun for a couple hours. I've been doing this for years with many different helmets and never had a problem. I find shampoo leaves a better scent on the material than most laundry detergents. Works great!
Remove the speakers first, of course. :hotpepper
 
two_wheeled said:
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Remove the speakers first, of course. :hotpepper
Click to expand...

Yep, had to do that too! I used a "detailing" power brush I bought from WalMart and between the laundry soap and the brush, really came out clean. I will probably be doing this every so often now. Although I can wash the bike faster then I could the helmet! :o:
 
I clean mine in the sink with Woolite about once a year. I remove the removable parts of the liner and do it all at one time. I place a Bounce dryer cloth in helmets when I put them on the shelf and they smell fresh for a long time after washing.
 
Dishwasher with laundry soap and no heated dry a couple of times a year is about right here in AZ.

In the summer we don't even have to let it air dry... just put it on and get some evaporative cooling for a bit! :D
 
SupraSabre said:
Okay, I have to admit, before seeing it here a few months back, I never...ever washed the insides of a helmet! It just never occurred to me that you "could"!:o:

So I got brave yesterday, took my 3 year old Shoei Multitech helmet apart
Click to expand...


Bob, what did you have to do to take your Multitech apart? Is the liner attached with snaps or velcro or something else? Or does the liner just pull out?
 
Mark said:
Why take the helmet apart?
The water will dry...
Click to expand...

Maybe it does in Arizona Mark. A week after riding through a solid week of rain, my RF900 helmet was still draining water from behind the styro liner. There is a reason we don't use swamp coolers and cooling vests in Minnesota (lack of serious evaporation climate.)
 
I've found that using head wraps does well at keeping the inside of my helmet clean. I'd rather launder one or two head wraps than the inside of my helmet. Also, after long rides, I park my helmet on a low-speed ventilation fan that seems to keep it "fresh."
 
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