How do you clean your helmet? - Ducati.ms

BHakaLaw · Jul 16th, 2006, 2:44 pm

I have a HJC CL-14 helmet that only the cheek pads are removable. Well, from long trips and hot summer days, my helmet is starting to stink a bit. If the liner inside is not removeable, how do you clean the helmet? Do you just use soap and water and then set it out in the sun for a day? I don't want to soak the inside and cause a mold problem, and I have tried febreeze, and that just made it smell like sweat and febreeze, so that option is out. So, if anyone has any idea that they have actually used and knows for a fact it doesn't ruin the helmet, I would love to hear them. Please post any suggestions your might have. Thanks

tarochan · Jul 16th, 2006, 4:16 pm

I have a Suomy Gunwind with non-removable linings, which is now 4 years old and I started thinking like you about 6 months ago . What to do? I decided that as helmets are made to be used in the rain then..D'oh!..The linings, glues, etc must be made fairly resilient. I gave it a bath in warm water using good washing machine liquid containing anti-bacterials, then put it out in the sun for the day and in the evening finished off with a hair dryer. Helmet really did feel like new again and unless you buy a new one each year this treatment is essential, as bacteria must eventually build up to high levels.

ST4R · Jul 16th, 2006, 4:22 pm

The energy-absorbing material is styrofoam. The lining is poly or nylon. The shell is impervious to soap and water. Same with the shield and the strap and the hardware and ... everything else.

I clean mine every 3 or 4 months by giving it a bath using Woolite - right in the kitchen sink. Just fill up the helmet with lukewarm water, add detergent, and scrub a dub sub using your fingers.

Nothing inside or out will be harmed by water or detergent.

Then after rinsing it a zillion times until no bubbles remain I just use towels and push on the lining to transfer the water to the towel. After I've gotten most of the water out I put the helmet over a floor vent, open the shield, and let the house air conditioning system dry it out in a day or so.

I've done this procedure many times on many helmets. No problemo. Bacterial multiply in your helmet all the time. When you take it off you should leave the shield open and put the helmet on a wire mesh shelf or some other open surface so that air can circulate.

You went 4 years? Yuk!

BHakaLaw · Jul 16th, 2006, 4:26 pm

I have had this helmet for about 5-6 months, and it seems like its starting to get a little bit gross. I'll hop on the bike after taking a shower and when I get home, the g/f complains that I smell like the bike. Gotta keep the woman happy and I don't want to be a social piriah, so just trying to figure out what I can do so I don't stink after getting off of the bike.

Thanks so much for the suggestions, I really do appreciate it.

superduc21 · Jul 16th, 2006, 4:58 pm

mine takes a shower with me. I use shampoo.

alamoduc · Jul 16th, 2006, 5:15 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by superduc21

mine takes a shower with me. I use shampoo.

Thats a good one

tarochan · Jul 16th, 2006, 6:12 pm

"You went 4 years? Yuk!" Yeah, ignorance is bliss, you never know what you never know. Now I'm a believer!

Duc4Doc · Jul 16th, 2006, 9:03 pm

I always wear a thin cotton helmet liner. I sweat into that and not much into the padding. Just through it in the wash occasionally. Inside of the helmet stays clean. No smell. I prefer the single cotton, but the satin/cotton is ok as well. A bit warmer.

http://www.cyclegadgets.com/Products....asp?Item=SLIK

**vduc** · Jul 16th, 2006, 10:02 pm

My helmet (Arai RX-7) was pretty ripe smelling. I've had it a couple of years, the topper was my last track day sweating all day in it and throwing back in the bag to ferment.

I picked yesterday Motorex Helmet Care, worked great. It's a spray foam that you let sit on a few minutes then wipe off. It eliminated nearly all the odor.

Ducati_Don · Jul 16th, 2006, 11:32 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by vduc

My helmet (Arai RX-7) was pretty ripe smelling. I've had it a couple of years, the topper was my last track day sweating all day in it and throwing back in the bag to ferment.

I picked yesterday Motorex Helmet Care, worked great. It's a spray foam that you let sit on a few minutes then wipe off. It eliminated nearly all the odor.

Can you tell us where you bought the Motorex Helmet Care?

Thanks,

Don