Helmet stench

Questions about bike hire abroad and everything light bike related. No off-topic chat please

Moderators: robbosmans, Moderator Team

User avatar
jimaizumi
Posts: 717
Joined: Mon Jan 30, 2006 1:48 am

by jimaizumi

My 3 year old Rudy Project Windmax is wreaking of bile and I've always been anal enough to wash it after every ride. Other than having to repalce the inner pads, is there any alternative to getting rid of the putrid stench? Maybe a quick soak in diluted bleach?

Want to know what everybody does..
THE PAST: 2005 C'dale R700, 2006 Spesh S-Works Tarmac Gerolsteiner, 2009 Pinarello Dogma FPX My Way, 2011 Time RXR VIP

THE PRESENT: 2016 Colnago C60 ST01, 2017 Wilier Cento 10 Ramato, Cinelli Gazetta

THE FUTURE: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

Pottsy
Posts: 134
Joined: Mon Dec 08, 2014 11:54 am

by Pottsy

3 years old. I would replace it.

Or take it in the shower with you after a ride & clean it out with some shampoo.

by Weenie


Visit starbike.com Online Retailer for HighEnd cycling components
Great Prices ✓    Broad Selection ✓    Worldwide Delivery ✓

www.starbike.com



User avatar
djconnel
Posts: 7917
Joined: Wed Sep 26, 2007 1:57 pm
Location: San Francisco, CA
Contact:

by djconnel

The "replace your helmet" thing has been proven to be bogus from the perspective of the foam liner wearing out. OTOH, I tend to get the lightest helmets which fit, which have tended to be Specialized until I recently got a POC, and the Specializeds tend to break in various ways.

itguy
Posts: 162
Joined: Tue Jan 20, 2015 3:43 pm

by itguy

Yes, suggestions will be awesome. My Giro Aeon stinks...

User avatar
jimaizumi
Posts: 717
Joined: Mon Jan 30, 2006 1:48 am

by jimaizumi

Afaik, the argument over helmets having a limited shelf life seems like an endless debate granted the different factors involved in what causes foam to degrade...

I guess I can try the bleach method this weekend... My helmet has seen no crashes, has not been exposed extreme elements including fungus causing humidity and has been meticulously washed after every ride.... Its a bit gut wrenching to throw out a helmet simply under the assumption that the foam is subject to degradation over time.
THE PAST: 2005 C'dale R700, 2006 Spesh S-Works Tarmac Gerolsteiner, 2009 Pinarello Dogma FPX My Way, 2011 Time RXR VIP

THE PRESENT: 2016 Colnago C60 ST01, 2017 Wilier Cento 10 Ramato, Cinelli Gazetta

THE FUTURE: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

itguy
Posts: 162
Joined: Tue Jan 20, 2015 3:43 pm

by itguy

Do update after you done that :P

milkbaby
Posts: 182
Joined: Mon Dec 26, 2011 9:04 am

by milkbaby

Can you tell if the odor is mainly from the pads and straps? Pads are easy to wash, the straps are harder to wash clean.

User avatar
jimaizumi
Posts: 717
Joined: Mon Jan 30, 2006 1:48 am

by jimaizumi

mostly from the pads.. Soap/Shampoo are just temporary, leaving that great smell only when the helmet is wet after a quick wash... once in dries, the unwanted residue smell of sweat returns.

Again, a quick bleach followed by a thorough rinsing may help.. hoping that I don't wind up with patches of bleached hair...that would be both humorous and horrible.
THE PAST: 2005 C'dale R700, 2006 Spesh S-Works Tarmac Gerolsteiner, 2009 Pinarello Dogma FPX My Way, 2011 Time RXR VIP

THE PRESENT: 2016 Colnago C60 ST01, 2017 Wilier Cento 10 Ramato, Cinelli Gazetta

THE FUTURE: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

MoPho
Posts: 767
Joined: Sun Jul 10, 2011 7:48 pm
Location: NorCal

by MoPho

Put it in the dishwasher, works great!


.

User avatar
Craigagogo
Posts: 383
Joined: Sun Jul 18, 2004 1:10 pm
Location: Ontario, Canada

by Craigagogo

UV light kills the bacteria too.
More than 10 years a Weenie!

User avatar
jimaizumi
Posts: 717
Joined: Mon Jan 30, 2006 1:48 am

by jimaizumi

Dishwasher.. now thats an idea!
THE PAST: 2005 C'dale R700, 2006 Spesh S-Works Tarmac Gerolsteiner, 2009 Pinarello Dogma FPX My Way, 2011 Time RXR VIP

THE PRESENT: 2016 Colnago C60 ST01, 2017 Wilier Cento 10 Ramato, Cinelli Gazetta

THE FUTURE: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

Camilo
Posts: 355
Joined: Sun Mar 23, 2008 7:31 pm

by Camilo

If it's the pads, why not just take them off, throw them in a mesh bag, and put in with your normal clothes washing?

The rest of the helmet, just wash the bejeebers out of it and rinse thoroughly. I just take a scrub brush and dish soap to the inner helmet and to the straps when they get too crusty.

Fiery
Posts: 420
Joined: Sat Mar 16, 2013 9:21 am

by Fiery

Ditto on machine washing in a mesh bag. Add some white vinegar into the fabric softener compartment, or soak in it before washing: it degreases, deodorizes and kills mold and some bacteria. Don't worry about the smell, it will be odourless once rinsed and dried.

TuplaO
Posts: 93
Joined: Fri Apr 08, 2011 7:00 pm

by TuplaO

I've popped my helmet in the freezer for a while. It's no long lasting miracle cure, but it does take the edge off, as it were.

User avatar
FIJIGabe
Posts: 2241
Joined: Tue Sep 11, 2012 6:07 pm
Location: The Lone Star State

by FIJIGabe

About once every three months (especially during the summer), I put my helmet in the wash basin, pour some liquid detergent in, and run the water. Then, with a soft brush, I brush the straps and the inside of the helmet. The pads, I remove and throw in the "delicates bag" and wash them with my cycling clothes. I'll let my helmet soak for a bit, then pull it out, drain the basin and rinse the helmet off.

It's actually kinda disgusting to watch the dirty water drain off the chin strap.

by Weenie


Visit starbike.com Online Retailer for HighEnd cycling components
Great Prices ✓    Broad Selection ✓    Worldwide Delivery ✓

www.starbike.com



Post Reply