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How do you keep the inside of your helmet clean?

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How do you keep the inside of your helmet clean?

Old 08-04-14, 10:15 PM
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fuji_owner
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How do you keep the inside of your helmet clean?

How do you keep the inside of your helmet clean and stink-free? Sweat gets absorbed into the foam material and there's no way to get rid of it.

Or do you just wait and get a new helmet?
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Old 08-04-14, 10:18 PM
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The stinkier the helmet, the greater the street cred.
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Old 08-04-14, 11:18 PM
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Wear a cap underneath.
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Old 08-04-14, 11:26 PM
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My helmet doesn't smell.... Nor do the pads inside...
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Old 08-05-14, 12:18 AM
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Wash the pads from time to time. Stick them in a stocking or wash them by hand.

I just wash the helmet in the kitchen sink with a little dish soap.

some people in here wash their helmets while they are in the shower after their rides.
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Old 08-05-14, 04:14 AM
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Here we go again.
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Old 08-05-14, 04:41 AM
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Originally Posted by Makel
some people in here wash their helmets while they are in the shower after their rides.
This. Simple rinse in shower just before I get in, hang dry. Always fresh.
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Old 08-05-14, 07:05 AM
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Originally Posted by fuji_owner
How do you keep the inside of your helmet clean and stink-free? Sweat gets absorbed into the foam material and there's no way to get rid of it.

Or do you just wait and get a new helmet?
Wash after every ride. Shower with mild water.
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Old 08-05-14, 07:08 AM
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I wear a half buff. I just wash that with my cycling clothes.
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Old 08-05-14, 08:06 AM
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Wash with baking soda... it works wonders.
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Old 08-05-14, 08:17 AM
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[ use the search function first though]
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Old 08-05-14, 09:14 AM
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Replace the helmet, if it gets that stinky chances are it's permeated the plastic or foam too. Skull caps and washing the pads helps but a fresh helmet over couple of years helps the most.
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Old 08-05-14, 10:44 AM
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Headsweats skull cap in the summer, PI transitions lycra cap in spring/fall, balaclava in winter.
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Old 08-05-14, 10:50 AM
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After every ride, I rinse it under the sink and pat it dry with a clean dry towel, then let it air out over night. It's not helmet science ya' know?
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Old 08-05-14, 11:00 AM
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I've never worn my helmet without a skull cap...just more comfortable and helps protect my noggin from the sun. I occasionally take the pads out and rinse them out and will, even more occasionally soak the straps in water with a little vinegar to expunge the sweat...although I like my straps to look all crusty and white.
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Old 08-05-14, 11:06 AM
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hmmm i never actually smelled the inside of my helmet...maybe i should look when i get home tonight
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Old 08-05-14, 06:20 PM
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Originally Posted by AlphaDogg
My helmet doesn't smell.... Nor do the pads inside...
That reminds me of an old roommate that didn't believe he had bad breath.
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Old 08-05-14, 06:23 PM
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Originally Posted by Nachoman
That reminds me of an old roommate that didn't believe he had bad breath.

I have a friend like that......and he like to stand awkwardly close to people....
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Old 08-05-14, 06:35 PM
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Originally Posted by phillypino215
hmmm i never actually smelled the inside of my helmet...maybe i should look when i get home tonight

what you dont know cant hurt you.....and now your helmet will start to smell
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Old 08-05-14, 08:19 PM
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Toss in washing machine with shoes in hot water cycle. Kills two birds with one stone.
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Old 08-05-14, 09:14 PM
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Another AZ cycler!

I imagine most of the responses so far would do the trick. Personally, I don't really do anything with my helmet (though it and the rest of me ended up thoroughly drenched in a sudden downpour on Sunday afternoon). I haven't noticed any smells before, but I haven't smelled it closely either. Every now and then I'll clean the salt crust off my straps .
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Old 08-05-14, 10:05 PM
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I pull the pads and wash them when needed. It really helped matters when I started wearing a do-rag to keep sweat out of my eyes and absorbed the sweat (mostly).
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Old 08-05-14, 10:30 PM
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I sweat a lot and my helmet pads would get crusty as did the straps. I got tired of salty sweat in my eyes and picked up a Halo Headband. Not only does it do an excellent job keeping sweat out of my eyes, it also keeps my helmet a lot drier! Most helmets have pads with velcro and are easy to remove and wash. I've never wanted to wash my helmet by submersion as I don't know if the foam will absorb water and become less effective. I've red plenty of posts where people shower wearing their helmets to wash them.
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Old 08-06-14, 01:18 AM
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Originally Posted by a1penguin
I got tired of salty sweat in my eyes and picked up a Halo Headband.
I sweat a lot also and always wear a headband; keeps the sweat out of my eyes and off my sunglasses (probably keeps the helmet a bit dryer too)!
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Old 08-06-14, 01:28 AM
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Wear it in the shower, that may save your life one day. Thank me later.
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