Helmet hygiene

[fatboy]

I often wear a helmet (mainly for protection from the sanctimonious ) but the biggest problem for me is one of hygiene. After every ride I wash my clothes, socks etc......however my festering helmet gets hung up ready for a follow on injection of sweat! What does anyone else do (other than not wearing one!)?

[thirdcrank]

A helmet with detachable and washable pads and straps seems best to me.

I have a some of this:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Motorex-Helmet- ... B001GNEHVI

which came free with a helmet. It does seem to work, but I've not used it much because I remove and wash the sweaty bits.

[Si]

I wear a bandanna under mine. Stops sun burn through the vents, soaks up sweat better than the pads it came with and can be washed easily.

[twodogs]

I rinse my helmet after every ride. Just run cold water over the inside of it, shake the excess out and hang it up. Keeps it fresh so I don't get pimples on my head.

[fatboy]

I rinse my helmet after every ride. Just run cold water over the inside of it, shake the excess out and hang it up. Keeps it fresh so I don't get pimples on my head.

This could work in the warm but not when it's cold, my helmet isn't allowed in the house!

[fatboy]

Have ordered 2 sets of new pads so I can wash one, wear one.

[TrevA]

I wear a buff under my helmet to soak up the sweat. Even then I find I have to buy a new helmet every four years or so, as it gets a bit wiffy!

[Mick F]

I read on here some time back that you can put the whole helmet in the washing machine. In fact someone said that they do this regularly.

I've not tried it - yet - but I reckon if the helmet is put inside a pillowcase or something, it shouldn't damage it or the machine. Perhaps use a slow spin?

Anyone remember that thread on here?

[Si]

Watch out Mick, if anyone from HW reads that they'll be insisting that people ride around with pillow cases over their helmets to increase their effectiveness!

[fatboy]

Watch out Mick, if anyone from HW reads that they'll be insisting that people ride around with pillow cases over their helmets to increase their effectiveness!

But it's common sense to do anything you can to protect your head so I'm all for it

[thirdcrank]

IMO, a first step is to avoid buying helmets which have any of the padding or straps permanently attached. Both my current helmets have all the pads held in with Velcro and the strap is threaded through in rather a complicated fashion, but it's not attached. I've always chosen helmets carefully for size to avoid having to use stick-in spacing pads. When I removed a strap for the first time, I wrote some notes to ensure I'd be able to reinstall it immediately. Then, a regular rinse in cold water is sufficient.

[Vantage]

Sponge, a bit of shower gel and a rinse in the shower keeps mine squeaky clean.

[MartinC]

Sponge, a bit of shower gel and a rinse in the shower keeps mine squeaky clean.

Yes, but what about your helmet? Oooo errrrr missus, it gets worse..........................................

[Bicycler]

IMO, a first step is to avoid buying helmets

[TonyR]

Sponge, a bit of shower gel and a rinse in the shower keeps mine squeaky clean.

Doesn't everyone wear a helmet in the shower?