helmet cleaning

[chrjonzx9r]

yes i know the title will certainly make people grin.. or do i just have my mind in the gutter
Ok well my helmet is getting a bit dirty and smelly and was wondering how people clean/wash their helmets. Can you use the bucket and some soapy water?

[ttc]

i just read an article on how to clean your helmet in bike mag!! good timing

a. Soak bugs off the visor overnight with a wet piece of kitchen towel.
b.Don't use washing up liquids, they usually contain salt/grime that will scratch the helmet. Washing it with Johnsons baby shampoo is ideal. If the liner is not removable, aim a warm shower inside and scrub.
c. Don't put your gloves in the helmet. They get stuff stuck all over them, which transfers to the inner lining, which in turn touches your head and makes it stink.

Hope that helps

[seraph]

Is it ok to saturate the internal lining with baby shampoo + water? Do you need to rinse it? Does that affect its life? How long til it's dry? I can't imagine how horrible a mouldy helmet would be *shudder* and want to avoid that, but mine's getting pretty manky. -J.

[Smitty]

i
a. Soak bugs off the visor overnight with a wet piece of kitchen towel.

I find Windex left on for 30secs on the visor or helmet and then wiped off with kitchen towel works too

b.Don't use washing up liquids, they usually contain salt/grime that will scratch the helmet. Washing it with Johnsons baby shampoo is ideal. If the liner is not removable, aim a warm shower inside and scrub.

Never ever use washing up or laundry liquid..contains salt and phosphates
which damages the inner lining of the helmet
Sponge off the inner lining with warm water first and then dry
if still a bit smelly, I find a little wool wash dissolved in warm water and sponged onto the lining normally gets rid of the pong

c. Don't put your gloves in the helmet. They get stuff stuck all over them, which transfers to the inner lining, which in turn touches your head and makes it stink.

If you ever put Snoseal or waterproofer on your gloves, as Tanya
says, never put them in the helmet.


cheers

[Smitty]

Is it ok to saturate the internal lining with baby shampoo + water? Do you need to rinse it? Does that affect its life? How long til it's dry? I can't imagine how horrible a mouldy helmet would be *shudder* and want to avoid that, but mine's getting pretty manky. -J.

Never saturate the lining
sponge method please....

[MickLC]

Like replacing smelly gloves, I find a smelly helmet is a good excuse to buy a new one

[Ment]

Soak bugs off the visor overnight with a wet piece of kitchen towel.

Thats a bit of a worry, does this artical suggest that you put wet paper on your visor over night? what happens when you get back to it in the morning and its dried on? that cant be right, or im just not reading this right.

[ttc]

exact wording..
Soak bugs off overnight with a sodden piece of kitchen roll - this will avoid any unsightly scars on your helmet or visibility-reducing scratches on the visor

I've never had to clean my helmet (not old and not much use), so I just quoted what they said

It's the Feb edition of Performance Bikes

[MickLC]

I've certainly found that it doesn't take that long to soften the bugs on your visor up. Usually a few minutes is enough...maybe they have crustier bugs in the UK

[seraph]

Is it ok to saturate the internal lining with baby shampoo + water? Do you need to rinse it? Does that affect its life? How long til it's dry? I can't imagine how horrible a mouldy helmet would be *shudder* and want to avoid that, but mine's getting pretty manky. -J.

Never saturate the lining
sponge method please....

*bows slightly* I hear you very well, Smitty-sai. No soakin'.

What think y'all of that silicon visor stuff on an iridium visor? Works like a charm on my clear visor... -J.

[chrjonzx9r]

im hearing it all. so soak in washing up liquid overnight and put in oven to dry . When completed you not only get to buy a new helmet but you also get to scrub the oven too.
Nah i think i will give her a good scrub in the bathtub or shower. .. now theres a thought... never worn a helmet in the shower before. would make a funny picture.

[ttc]

you funny

[MickLC]

Please NO! We've seen enough back boozy shots on here recently

[Smitty]

Please NO! We've seen enough back boozy shots on here recently

go ON
I wanna see a melted helmet on Chris' head

[photomike666]

I've found the anti fog stuff gets the bugs off the visor, spunge the inside dry with hairdryer - never had an odour in one before, but would consider the antibacterial sprays for stopping clothes/shoes smelling.

U can only wear the helmut in the shower if you've got a Cougar shirt on.