All the +100F temps here in Portland have had me thinking (and sweating profusely) inside my nice new RF-1000. My primary goals are:
1. Reduction of Funk (I have dibs on that as a band name) 2. Extending EPS Liner Lifespan
The cheek pads on my helmet are removable, so they're easy enough to clean, but what about the interior liner? Our Arai rep stated that it's perfectly OK to take your helmet into the shower with you and clean the interior with your regular shampoo, then air dry it. Doing so sounds more or less reasonable to me, but I thought I'd ask if anyone out there has actually done this, and what your experience has been.
what a coinincidence... i just did mine today. i work at a car dealership and the recon guys used the steamer brush on the insides of my helmet with a shot of carpet shampoo to loosen the crusties before. it worked great and needed the rest of the work day to dry. no smell or tobacco stains anymore. what a save.
One suggestion for you to prevent the helmet funk is a helmet liner. I wear a "silky" liner under my bucket every time I ride, it is machine washable and keeps direct contact with the helmet avoided. They are quite cheep from dennis kirk and other sites (about $10), but make sure to get a 2 layer cotton/silk and not just cotton.
Other benefits are: 1. Hair doesn't get messed up. I have really short hair and my Icon helmet actually left indentions on the top of my head where there are vent slots in the padding. No more. 2. Ear plugs and ear bud headphones stay put when you are putting your helmet on. 3. Much cooler, acts like an underarmor shirt and pulls the sweat away from your head. 4. Comfort, my helmet and every other helmet I have worn feels much better with one on.
Negatives; 1. You look really queer with it on before you get your helmet on. (slanders include, penis head, condom head, idiot...........)
For the price, you may want to look into one, you will never have to clean the inside of your helmet again.
I also keep a bounce dryer sheet inside all of my helmets to keep a nice fresh sent and absorb any moisture inside of them when not riding.
They are nylon so get a little ripe after a few weeks, but then I just hand wash them and the dry in two hours. Or if I'm lazy, I just break open another package.
Look for the 4.35 do rag, not the one with tails, not the one that is a dome cap, either. Wear it inside out so you don't get the seam imprints on your head.
chris2992, Jul 22 2006, 04:36 PM One suggestion for you to prevent the helmet funk is a helmet liner. I wear a "silky" liner under my bucket every time I ride, it is machine washable and keeps direct contact with the helmet avoided. They are quite cheep from dennis kirk and other sites (about $10), but make sure to get a 2 layer cotton/silk and not just cotton.
Other benefits are: 1. Hair doesn't get messed up. I have really short hair and my Icon helmet actually left indentions on the top of my head where there are vent slots in the padding. No more. 2. Ear plugs and ear bud headphones stay put when you are putting your helmet on. 3. Much cooler, acts like an underarmor shirt and pulls the sweat away from your head. 4. Comfort, my helmet and every other helmet I have worn feels much better with one on.
Negatives; 1. You look really queer with it on before you get your helmet on. (slanders include, penis head, condom head, idiot...........)
For the price, you may want to look into one, you will never have to clean the inside of your helmet again.
I also keep a bounce dryer sheet inside all of my helmets to keep a nice fresh sent and absorb any moisture inside of them when not riding. Link to product
I do the same thing. I use one called Sliks. It's cool in the summer and warmer in the winter, and my helmet doesn't stink. fing02.gif
My daughte rhad the same suggestion, but I went for the Aria with a removable liner. Now I wash that every now and again. but the Do Rag is probley a better idea.
chris2992, Jul 22 2006, 04:36 PM One suggestion for you to prevent the helmet funk is a helmet liner. I wear a "silky" liner under my bucket every time I ride, it is machine washable and keeps direct contact with the helmet avoided. They are quite cheep from dennis kirk and other sites (about $10), but make sure to get a 2 layer cotton/silk and not just cotton.
Other benefits are: 1. Hair doesn't get messed up. I have really short hair and my Icon helmet actually left indentions on the top of my head where there are vent slots in the padding. No more. 2. Ear plugs and ear bud headphones stay put when you are putting your helmet on. 3. Much cooler, acts like an underarmor shirt and pulls the sweat away from your head. 4. Comfort, my helmet and every other helmet I have worn feels much better with one on.
Negatives; 1. You look really queer with it on before you get your helmet on. (slanders include, penis head, condom head, idiot...........)
For the price, you may want to look into one, you will never have to clean the inside of your helmet again.
I also keep a bounce dryer sheet inside all of my helmets to keep a nice fresh sent and absorb any moisture inside of them when not riding. Link to product
soichiro, Jul 23 2006, 12:02 AM My buddies swear by putting it in the dishwasher.
The heat drying cycle must do wonders to the EPS liners in their helmets. dry.gif God forbid if they decide to use dish washer detergent. That stuff is so harsh it can etch glass. Not thanks, liquid hand soap and/or hair shampoo and some warm water from the hand held shower head, then a day of air drying near a fan has worked real well for me fing02.gif
I currently have a Shoei RF-1000 and I have tried all the do-rags, liners and such without much success. My helmet is still fairly new and so far it isn't a problem. What I have used in the past for a good cleaning is a cleaner meant for automotive upholstery. Do NOT spray it into the helmet though, spray it on a towel and then wipe the inside of the helmet liner thoroughly and then leave it out to dry. Once dry a few spritzes of Febreeze to eliminate any odors.
To me the best solution is a helmet with a removable liner. My next helmet will either be a Shoei X-11 or an Arai.
I just read in one of the monthly rags that you can soak your helmet in the tub with some baby shampoo. Set it over an HVAC vent for the night to help it dry. I have never done it but it sounds reasonable.
smee42, Jul 22 2006, 10:02 PM I just read in one of the monthly rags that you can soak your helmet in the tub with some baby shampoo.
+1.gif
I dunk mine in the tub every now and then (even my RX7 with the removable liner that I wash seperately), then stuff a towel in it and let it sit overnight to dry...works like charm. fing02.gif
I just fill a sink with dish-soapy warm water and submerge/rub/wash the thing. Rinse under faucet. Then I set it on top of a fan overnight to dry. Works great.
I always wear a head sock. I started with my Simpson nomex sock from my road racing days, but now have a black one from Pearl Izumi. Never been made fun of either.
Great idea about the dryer sheet too, I'll try that.
Have any helmet makers designed a helmet with a completely removable lining? You can only wash these helmets so many times before the upolstery breaks down. I always wore a silk liner, and washed the upolstery, but my helmet has hit this point where it sheds foam (the soft comfort foam, not the protective foam). The helmet makers must love the repeat sales from this.
Washed mine in the sink last night with some mild laundry detergent. Cheekpads still stained a bit from perspiration. Dried it in front of a small heater fan. Sprayed it wth some Fabreeze. It's a bit better.
End of thread · 16 posts recoveredWayback Machine snapshot 24 Oct 2006