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MY HELMET STINKS!

Discussion in 'Hangout Lounge' started by XJ4Keeps, Aug 26, 2009.

  1. XJ4Keeps

    XJ4Keeps Member

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    Anybody here ever wash your helmet liner? I have always been afraid to do this, because I worry that the fit will be altered. Arai claims that their liners are washable, but my helmet fits me perfectly as is, and I'd hate to ruin an expensive lid just because it smells a little funky.
     
  2. joshwxj

    joshwxj Member

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    hand wash it in cold water or less than warm water with your favorite clothes soap (I hear there is a cold water laundry detergent on the market now), ring it out, hang and drip dry. Dont use the dryer, It will ruin the padding on the inside and make it bumpy with globs of stuffing. This will get you back on the road stench free.
     
  3. bigfitz52

    bigfitz52 Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    +1. Mine snaps right out; hand wash with a small amount of laundry soap, squeeze as dry as possible in a clean towel or between some paper towels and then air dry.
     
  4. TIMEtoRIDE

    TIMEtoRIDE Active Member

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  5. lorne317

    lorne317 Member

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    I use a product made by Fogzero,I believe it's called Helmet Fresh or something like that.A spray every now and then and everything stays daisy fresh.I use it on all my gear.
     
  6. Altus

    Altus Active Member

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    Don't forget about the good 'ol Febreeze spray -- not quite as good as taking the liner out for a good shampooing, but can help alot.
     
  7. Wyldman

    Wyldman Member

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    Fabreeze will fix you up. :) I don't worry about it because I wear a bandana under mine.
     
  8. XJDriver

    XJDriver Member

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    I know on some of hte better brands of helmets i.e. Shoei and the like you can remove the inner liner and wash it. My dirt bike helmet is like that. I usually just take it out and run it in the washer with the rest of my gear. never had a problem yet.
     
  9. MiCarl

    MiCarl Active Member

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    Shampoo in the dishwasher? Seems like that would create a Lucy moment (kitchen full of suds).

    Having installed headsets in helmets I know they impact absorbing foam is usually held in by double sided tape and/or contact cement. I wouldn't even want hat water on that stuff.
     
  10. Dave_89_VMAX

    Dave_89_VMAX Member

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    I don't know why Helmet can't just tack a shower like the rest of us!!! Smell ya later!!
     
  11. helmet

    helmet Member

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    On 2 wheels... just lost my hat.
    I was thinking just running the helmet, the bike and yourself through the car wash would solve that!
    covers everything for about 4 bucks

    :lol:
     
  12. Robert

    Robert Active Member

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    I wear a skull cap to prevent this issue. I toss the cap on the laundry when ever the sweat/oil stains appear. They are available at most well stocked bike establishments.
     
  13. XJ4Keeps

    XJ4Keeps Member

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    I always wear a skull cap, too. It helps keep the noise down when pulled over the ears, and it adds some warmth when riding in cold weather. It doesn't seem to do much to mitigate the stink factor, though.
    Maybe I just sweat more than most, but even after an hour or so of riding in the New England summer heat and humidity, my skull cap is soaked through, and my liner is charged with absorbing the excess perspiration.
    I went with Josh and Fitz's advice and hand-washed the liner with cold water and laundry soap, then hung it outside in the shade to dry.
    This eliminated the unpleasant odor, but I have developed a little "hot spot" just above my right eyebrow where the foam became slightly misshapen along one of the grooves in the forehead padding section. It's not a big deal at all, but it's definitely noticeable, probably because I prefer a very snug fit on my helmets.
     
  14. TIMEtoRIDE

    TIMEtoRIDE Active Member

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    Apparently nobody has tried this here, at this great and awesome site, so,
    I did it.
    I washed an HJC 3/4 helmet 2 years old, and a very old helmet that I bought in 1983, at a pawn shop, that I made the lining myself.

    There was no unusual wear or degradation to either helmet's liner.
    This process of cleaning your helmet in the dishwasher is valid.

    To be safe, I limited the water temp to 150 *
    I used Swave/Men and stopped the machine before the "dry" cycle.
    So- - Do not run unlimited water temp, and do not dry.
    Your helmet will look brand friggin new!!

    Do you dare invade the woman's domain ??
     
  15. johntc

    johntc Member

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    Womens domain?

    I know guys who think dishwashing is their turf, especially if they have a dishwasher. Hey, it's mechanical, right? No woman could possibly operate such a complex machine.

    Ok, I'll duck now.
     
  16. frankenbiker

    frankenbiker Member

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    At the end of a hard season of riding I add a few drops of dish soap inside the helmet swish it around a few times rinse and set aside to dry. Hasn't changed the liners shape or caused it to fall out.
     

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