Helmet Cleaning (no sniggering at the back!)

[David Lombari]

Ok, one Bell helmet with dirty straps. Have tried to scrub them but it's tough to get purchase, so here's my plan.....

Pad out the washing machine with a lot of thick, soft stuff (ie, towels) and put the helmet through a short cool wash. It shouldn't bash the sides so, in theory it sounds ok. the only problem that i can see is if the amount of water would have any effect on the shell.

What do you think? Any other suggestions for properly cheaning the straps?

Cheers, D.

[Marcus]

I either get in the shower with mine and give it a shampoo or put it in the dish washer. Seems to work for a month then becomes smelly again.

[Andrew G]

It had to be a Bell didn't it I go the shower and shampoo route too. If it's just the straps then they're pretty tough nylon so a scrubbing brush should be fine on them, you could try undoing then from the helmet and just putting then in the washing machine but I wouldn't put the whole helmet in.

[David Lombari]

thanks for the advice guys.

just got back from a 2 hour ride in the pouring rain and took it in the shower with me. it now doesn't smell sweaty but has the lovely odour of tropical coconut!!!

[Dombo]

Soak in petrol overnight.

[jon avery]

Buy a new helmet, you can aford it

[Ivor]

do the straps detach? I've cleaned my commuting specialised several times detaching the straps and inner pads and running them through the washing machine inside a laundry bag. works a treat apart from the 15 minute exercise trying to remember how to re-thread everything afterwords.
not sure what to do with my s-works helmet though. the straps there are moulded into the shell and they're starting to get a bit icky so just have to scrub them I guess.

[David Lombari]

straps don't come off i don't think. at least they smell better now though.

john, you obviously don't realise how close i am to a pound coin! replace a helmet just cos it's smelly?!