lyrictenor1

I like to hand wash (or at least rinse) the front helmet pad from my Giro Synthe after every ride. However, the pad deteriotes after a couple months, usually with the outer material separating from foam part of the pad.

Just curious to see how often you wash and or replace your helmet pads.

rpenmanparker 

Huh?

kbarch

Never: I didn't even realize they were washable. However, if I wear a bandana on a hot day, I'll wash it with everything else. Caps don't get washed so often just whenever they start to smell or look grungy.

Doug28450

I replace the pads every time I get a new helmet.

SylvainG

I rode from August until December last year not knowing the pads were removable so I never washed them. When I found out they were, I wash them once a week with my cycling gears. I hang dry (with the help of a fan) my gears (but not the helmet pads) after every ride so it doesn't have time to get stinky. For example my bib after 3 days (holiday on Monday) still has a fresh wash smell.

Nachoman

I wash my helmet, by wearing it into the shower about once every few months.
I'm always surprised when people don't wash stuff they wear and sweat in.

Ramona_W

Where are you getting your caps?

Iride01 

I have a Giro (Indicator I think). I rinse the entire helmet, straps, padding and all under hot water after every ride. It's probably six years old. Maybe I should get another even though it looks as good as any other.

I wouldn't want my dirty shorts on my face, why would I want the dirty straps on my face? Certainly something must grow in that funk. Or does the salt from my sweat kill that?

Ramona_W

I haven't tried the shower method yet. I try to wash my helmet pads after every ride now that I'm in Phoenix and that method might save time and keep me from forgetting to put the dried pads back in before I go out the next time.

bonz50

exactly

rfmarotti

This.

bikejrff

Not very often, every other year maybe. I always wear a Headsweats Classic. Keeps helmet pads dry.

snowman40

This. Not sure why you would wash those unless you wore it for commuting and they were making your head stink.

79pmooney

Since I started using the Pace caps (REI) I have found my pads stay clean far longer. The chin straps become the limiting factor for helmet cleaning. About 3 times/summer I fill the bathroom sink with water and laundry soap, work the water into the pads, in to the straps, turn the helmet right side up and leave it floating in the water, straps submerged, a few hours, rinse, press the pads dryish with a towel and hang to dry. I have 5 or so caps and always leave for rides with a fresh one.

Easy. Clean, nice smelling helmets and caps.

Ben

OneIsAllYouNeed

Every 3-5 years. I do ride in the rain quite a bit, though.

TimothyH

To each his own but you might want to consider washing your clothes more often so you don't get Tinea.
Smell isn't the only indicator of pathogen growth in your clothes.


-Tim-

kcjc

I rinse them after each ride. When it starts to peel, I superglue it down. Majority of the time I wear a cap underneath to redirect my sweat so the superglue doesn't bugs me. Replacements? Hard to find so the helmet get replaced after 2-3 years.

DrIsotope

I remove the pads and wash them in a delicates bag every few weeks. I always wear a skullcap under the helmet (no hair) so the pads aren't in direct skin contact. Usually, by the time the pads start to wear out, I have the itch to buy a new helmet, so I just give in and buy one.

MSchott

This. I do wipe it down once in a while and use soap on all the pads after really sweaty rides.

indyfabz

OP: Ignore all the smart*** answers. My butler, Coleman, tells me he rinses my pads after every ride and gives them a thorough cleaning one a week. He's a good butler, so I would emulate him.

jamesdak 

My helmet goes into the shower with me around once a week or so. Less during the winter. The only cleaning it gets.

lyrictenor1

¿huH

kbarch

Funny you should ask. NOT from anywhere I normally get anything. Two are souvenirs from the Giro, two were part of a team uniform (never wear those anymore), and a wool one I got at a shop in the city that I've only been to once or twice.

SylvainG

Being a benign infection, if I get it once, I'll reconsider but in the mean time, I'll stick to my schedule

lyrictenor1

Exactly. This thread is a good indicator of that. Funny how many cyclists can be anal about bike maintenance but fail to clean something that comes into contact with their skin for hours at a time and absorbs a decent amount of sweat.

I think if more people would wash their helmet pads and straps more often, we'd have fewer of the "My helmet stinks" threads.