Helmet Hints & Tips: Difference between revisions

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It's no news to most people that the inside of a helmet will get just a bit stinky after a time. If you don't have removable cheekpads/liner (and many don't) [http://www.homemadesimple.com/en_US/febreze/home.do Febreze] is recommended to take away some of the smell and make you civilized again.

Next time you're in the market for a helmet, look for one with a removable, washable liner. Many are made that way nowadays.

One of our admins has had good luck with [http://www.webbikeworld.com/r3/helmet-cleaner/motorex-helmet-care.htm Motorex Helmet Care].

Another suggestion is to take a shower with your helmet. Well, not literally. Just turn the helmet upside down in the sink, fill it with lukewarm water, and add a squirt of shampoo (anti-bacterial is better). Press and release the foam padding, as the funky smell is sweat and oil in the foam and liner that is being decomposed by bacteria. Rinse thoroughly, again pressing the foam inside until all soapy residue is gone. Do not use hot water. Then drain, squeezing out excess water by pressing the foam with your hand. Wad up a towel and fist it around inside the helmet to absorb excess moisture. Set the helmet either on top of a fan, or in front of a fan, so cool air will blow directly through it. Let it sit overnight, and it should be sufficiently dried. Do not dry it with warm air, such as from a hairdryer. That can get warm enough to alter the energy absorption characteristics of the liner, which is basically foam rubber and styrofoam. Lukewarm washing and cool drying is the key.

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For funk prevention, Dan Borgeson (link below) suggests putting wadded-up newspaper inside the helmet when it's sitting on the shelf between rides. (And no, the online NY Times won't work.)

For helmet cleaning and care instructions, go to the [http://www.hjchelmets.com/helmet_care.htm HJC Helmet Care site].

====A word about the shield====

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 It's no news to most people that the inside of a helmet will get just a bit stinky after a time. If you don't have removable cheekpads/liner (and many don't) [http://www.homemadesimple.com/en_US/febreze/home.do Febreze] is recommended to take away some of the smell and make you civilized again.
+Next time you're in the market for a helmet, look for one with a removable, washable liner. Many are made that way nowadays.
+One of our admins has had good luck with [http://www.webbikeworld.com/r3/helmet-cleaner/motorex-helmet-care.htm Motorex Helmet Care].
 Another suggestion is to take a shower with your helmet. Well, not literally. Just turn the helmet upside down in the sink, fill it with lukewarm water, and add a squirt of shampoo (anti-bacterial is better). Press and release the foam padding, as the funky smell is sweat and oil in the foam and liner that is being decomposed by bacteria. Rinse thoroughly, again pressing the foam inside until all soapy residue is gone. Do not use hot water. Then drain, squeezing out excess water by pressing the foam with your hand. Wad up a towel and fist it around inside the helmet to absorb excess moisture. Set the helmet either on top of a fan, or in front of a fan, so cool air will blow directly through it. Let it sit overnight, and it should be sufficiently dried. Do not dry it with warm air, such as from a hairdryer. That can get warm enough to alter the energy absorption characteristics of the liner, which is basically foam rubber and styrofoam. Lukewarm washing and cool drying is the key.
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 For funk prevention, Dan Borgeson (link below) suggests putting wadded-up newspaper inside the helmet when it's sitting on the shelf between rides. (And no, the online NY Times won't work.)
 For helmet cleaning and care instructions, go to the [http://www.hjchelmets.com/helmet_care.htm HJC Helmet Care site].
 ====A word about the shield====