wphamilton

Any suggestions? I'll take the pads and straps off and wash them obviously, but I think a washing machine would be unkind to the helmet itself. Maybe, I might try it it nothing else.

It's my favorite helmet that I've had for years so I don't want to replace it.

DiabloScott

Febreeze. Cuz what do you have to lose?

CliffordK

There have been people advocating tossing their helmets for a lot less

I had a cat that sprayed on a car seat. It took years to get rid of that smell.

I'd try a bucket, or kitchen sink and generous cycles of soap and water. Weight it down and soak?

no motor?

I've used vinegar on carpets stained by cat pee.

RubeRad

Kill the cat
Skin the cat
Tan the cat hide
Use the fur as the rag to clean the helmet
Make other cats watch, to avoid this problem in the future
(Consider attaching the catskin as a permanent helmet wrap)

rumrunn6

chuck it. if it's over 5 yrs old it should be tossed anyway. give the cat more attention

wphamilton

I have some sympathy with his attitude towards bike helmets and he did 'fess up so I won't punish him.

Google says that a vinegar solution as suggested here works to a degree but enzyme-based cleaners work better. I'd never heard of "enzyme-based" cleaners before. Has anyone tried "Simple Solution" or "Nature's Miracle"?

Ah, a little more Googling and you can culture some enzymes with yeast, sugar and orange rinds, two weeks in a bottle of water. Although it seems like it should have plenty of enzymes already from sitting on my sweaty head. I think I'll try soaking it while I produce the DIY enzymes for my enzyme detergent.

RubeRad

I use Simple Green all the time. Is Simple Solution just concentrated Simple Green?

I've never had to clean up cat spray though.

wphamilton

meh, 5 years it's barely broken in yet.

I don't know how he got to you, but he's lying.

Moose

Time for a new favorite helmet, it's best to move on after an incident like this. Don't be afraid to spend a few extra dollars to get a real nice one. Then, always store in a cat-proof area.

I had a real nice leather jacket...my favorite leather jacket. I wore it to my friend's and their cats peed all over it. I kept it a while after a cleaning attempt was made.. It was never the same and was no longer my favorite jacket. In hindsight, I wish I'd have just pitched it and moved on rather than living with the disappointment.

Moose

It will now and forever be known in the back of your mind as the "cat spray helmet". I say smash it in grand fashion, take a video and post it on YouTube.

wphamilton

To be clear, "favorite" is a relative term and I might not use it all winter - I'm not going to spend extra dollars for another one. I'll clean this one, one way or another, so that I have it when I want.

You cannot cat-proof everything a cat might pee on you have to address the cat's behavior not the objects of his objection. That would be a different topic though.

RubeRad

Now that's not a bad idea.

You have posted so many useful empirical studies; how about if you drop the helmet onto asphalt from increasing heights, and determine at what height it cracks (detectably...)?

Moose

My experience with cat behavior, which is fairly extensive, is that cats don't give a rat's arse about any attempts to address their behavior. The only way to ensure the cat will not "interact" with any object is to place it completely out of the cat's reach.

wphamilton

With some accelerometer data, I've got a new Arduino with built in gyros and 3-axis accelerometer that I've been intending to play with so I admit it's a tempting idea.

texaspandj

Throw it in the washer, if it doesn't survive that, it wasn't worthy of your head anyway.
P.S. if the shell comes off just glue it back on .

alan s 

Cat spray is second only to skunk perfume on my list of nasty animal smells. I’d toss it. Time to upgrade anyway.

RoadKill

I can say that "Nature's Miracle" does work pretty good. If that doesn't get the smell out then nothing will. You want to use it first though, don't use a bunch of other products then get Nature's Miracle as a last resort, it won't work as well if it's not the first thing used.

gregjones

I have heard of folks putting the helmet in the dishwasher.

wphamilton

I'm 5 minutes too late reading this - it just went into the washing machine with regular detergent. If that fails, I'll fall-back to the Nature's Miracle anyway.

wphamilton

Naw, I'll just sue Amana appliances for not putting a warning on the machine

RubeRad

cuz 'MURICA

ThermionicScott 

We use "Anti Icky Poo" for this kind of stuff. It's been pretty amazing at getting rid of the cat pee smell on a couple of shoes and spots in the carpet.

Anti-Icky-Poo is recommended by veterinarians more than any other product

bobwysiwyg

Always ride into the wind.

PortlandEddie

5 gallon bucket. soapy water , urine remover smell thingy from pet store. leave it in there few days fully submerged. take it out let it air dry maybe put it in sun few days and when you wear it wear a hat with it.

P.S love my cat.