Helmet liner cleaning

[Mercury264]

My dirt bike helmet liner is as skanky as skanky can be

What's the best way to clean it - it is removable BTW Can I just throw the pieces in the washing machine (in a pillow perhaps) and wash in a mild wash ?

If not, is hand washing the only viable way to clean the liner and not damage it ?

Cheers....

[torags]

I do my tennis hats in the dishwasher (alone), works good; doesn't get them overwet to worry about stinky algae.

[Mercury264]

Originally Posted by torags

I do my tennis hats in the dishwasher (alone), works good; doesn't get them overwet to worry about stinky algae.

I did think about doing them in the dishwasher also in the top drawer. I might just try that.

[wibby]

I washed my Arai a couple weeks ago

Took the liner out and used my shampoo (Dr Bronners Peppermint Hemp Soap)

Then let it air dry

Before I washed it, it was fitting very loosely, But after it fit just like new.

[old brooklyn boy]

I use a pet odor spray. It breaks down the bacteria that causes odor. Does not stain fabric. It does not cover the odor it gets rid of it. It is organic and does not leave a chemical residue. Keep a spray bottle in the garage and give it a spray when I put the helmet away. It works just as well on boot and shoe odor.
Alfred

[flanga]

I have a full face. I remoce the commo gear and wash the helmet in the dishwasher (alone--- no dishes in there ).

Dishwasher detergent has a small amount of chlorine in it to disinfect the dishes. The chlorine also kills the bacteria that's causing the skanky smell in your helmet, while the hot water removes the oils and hair/skin debris.

[wibby]

What odor?

Don't you wash your hair?

As dirty and sweaty as my helmets ever get I've never had one get smelly

Maybe you should not let your pet wear your helmet


BTW,
I usually wash mine with a little Tecnu if I've been out in the woods much, it removes the poison oak oils

[Mercury264]

Well I decided to try the washing machine. I just threw the bits in a pillow case and threw it in with a cold wash. Came out smelling nice and fresh. That won't last long I'm sure

[MojaveGS]

Originally Posted by flanga

I have a full face. I remoce the commo gear and wash the helmet in the dishwasher (alone--- no dishes in there ).

Dishwasher detergent has a small amount of chlorine in it to disinfect the dishes. The chlorine also kills the bacteria that's causing the skanky smell in your helmet, while the hot water removes the oils and hair/skin debris.

You wash the whole helmet? I would think the hot water would hurt the the foam core or at least damage the glue holding it all together????

[anglerdon]

To keep your liner fresh lay a Perfume free fabric softener sheet (like your wife uses in the clothes dryer ) inside your helmet. Works for me.

[Oro D]

Febreeze or is it Fabreeze? Anyway, this stuff is good at getting rid of odors. Just give your helmet a shot or 2 of this stuff after a ride. The next time you ride you won't notice any odor and this stuff isn't too strong either.

Grizzy.

[Lobby]

I tend to not scratch up my helmets too much, so they last a long time. Heck, they'll outlast the inner liners.

When washing doesn't clean them enough, I just buy new liners and cheek pads. Not too much money.

[8Superman]

Originally Posted by GrizzyBear

Febreeze or is it Fabreeze? Anyway, this stuff is good at getting rid of odors. Just give your helmet a shot or 2 of this stuff after a ride. The next time you ride you won't notice any odor and this stuff isn't too strong either.

Grizzy.

+1

[Jeffro115]

Originally Posted by MojaveGS

You wash the whole helmet? I would think the hot water would hurt the the foam core or at least damage the glue holding it all together????

I do.


I put the whole thing in the dishwasher. Every time it comes out looking great and smelling freeeeeeeee-sh!



Yeah, I was really skeptical about this when I first heard of it. I learned it from my old man, who is a RiderCoach, and learned it at the winter banquet the MSF holds. Turns out, half of the RCs there wash their own helmets this way, too.



I did call HJC to see what they would say about it. They said that while it's not the recommended way to wash the helmet, hot water will not damage anything either. So if it works for me, then they guess it's ok.

They said that the sun's rays are more damaging to my helmet than most anything I would ever do to it (with the exception of some harsh chamicals).



So honestly, I say try it. Unless you have a $500 or more helmet that you are very particular about, go for it.




Since I have found this, I wash my helmets once a month or so. It's so easy, and it's really, really nice to have a fresh helmet all the time. Kind of like that 'putting on a fresh, clean pair of underware' feeling after a weekend of camping.

[Lost Rider]

I did it!
I've been needing to wash my Shoei badly, after seeing this thread and being reminder how easy it is to clean it this way, enough stank is enough.
It's in the dishwasher now, nice clean helmet here I come!