Helmet crud

[alanmcorcoran]

I have a Spyder 3/4 helmet that fits pretty snugly and the soft parts that go over the cheeks and the back of the neck are starting to look noticeably, shall we say, "greasy". It appears that at least some of these parts (the cheek pieces) have the ability to snap out and back in. Assuming this is the case, what is the recommended procedure (if there is one) (to clean it)once they've been removed? Does dry cleaning work best? Washing machine? Beat with a big stick by the river side?

Or do you just chuck 'em and get a new helmet?

[patrick_777]

Washing machine on cold. They're designed to be removed and washed. It was almost 6 months before I realized the entire upper pad snapped out too, so it's likely that everything will come out of it, not just the cheeks.

[dannylightning]

if you cant get them off for some reason you could just always wipe it down really good with a wet rag and hope that takes care of the problem. but they shold come out of there no problem.

[Easy Rider]

Washing machine on cold. They're designed to be removed and washed. It was almost 6 months before I realized the entire upper pad snapped out too, so it's likely that everything will come out of it, not just the cheeks.

+1

I would give them a little squirt of some product intended to remove "ring around the collar" too.

[patrick_777]

Also a good option.

http://tinyurl.com/yfujkqk

Remember, helmets are basically big styrofoam balls, so they're not going to absorb water or anything. This also makes them float if they come off the stick and go down-river; they'll be easier to find that way.

[Sarris]

I wash my liner with a load of clothes on the normal cycle cold/cold. I also spray the liner with Spray & Wash just to be sure the mung is gone.

I dry it in the dryer on low heat until its slightly damp, then put it in the sun to finish. It smells great afterward, but it won't stay that way as long as a new one because they (my HD half helmet anyways) are normally treated with a sanitizer that washes out on the first wash.

I also wash the shell out with antibacterial hand soap.

My 2 cents worth.

:)

[alanmcorcoran]

Thanks guys. It's raining again so maybe I'll pop 'em in the washer tonight.

[alantf]

Over here there's a special spray product (dry cleaner type?) that says it's for cleaning & sanitizing helmet liners. Never tried it myself, but I suppose it should work.

[alanmcorcoran]

Removed all the innards and my wife put 'em in the washer. Wasn't sure about drying them in the dryer (lots of plastic parts) so just letting it "air dry" for now. I have a full face helmet as a backup, should it not be raining (again) tomorrow. Weather gods seem to be scheduling rain for the weekends mostly lately.

[patrick_777]

They're fine in the dryer if you make sure the heat is off. Heat will make them not fit well when you go to put them back in.

[mrlmd1]

Don't forget to wash your face and hair once in a while too - it keeps the helmet cleaner. :neener: :poke2: :whistle:

[alantf]

They're fine in the dryer if you make sure the heat is off.

Mmmmm! That's fine if your drier will do that. On ours, you can either have HOT or MEDIUM, but it won't dry without heat. Come to think of it, I've never seen an English machine that WILL dry on cold. Must be something that they fit to American machines. :)

Washing machines seem different all over the world. Spanish machines are all "cold fill", with a heater. Our English washer/drier that we brought over with us is a hot/cold fill. It's got a heater, but if you hot fill it works quicker. The Spanish laundry rooms only have a cold tap (faucet?) so I had to get a Y piece to fit to the tap so that both the hot b& cold entries on the machine could be supplied with water (as per the instruction leaflet) - I just mention this to show the worldwide dissimilarities. :)

[patrick_777]

Mine has an Air Fluff setting, which basically rotates the drum, but leaves the heater coil off. Apparently globalization is yet to be complete.

[alanmcorcoran]

Just stuck them out in the open air inside the house and they dried quickly, despite the high humidity and sporadic rain showers. It's all back together. Thanks for tips.

[zenbutcher]

Don't forget to wash your face and hair once in a while too - it keeps the helmet cleaner. :neener: :poke2: :whistle: :2tup:

[Water Warrior 2]

Real easy if you are bald with a hairy face.

[BusyWeb]

Real easy if you are bald with a hairy face.
ha ha ha... that's so true....

[5th_bike]

Ooh, thanks for the reminder, I remember my helmet comes apart too, for cleaning. Time to get last year's sweat out...

In addition to the information stream, I also wear a "beanie" it's some kind of sweat band made into a cap shaped thing, it gets washed a little more often...

Hand wash with between cold and lukewarm water (?body temperature) and woolite are my cleaning means, for the beanie and the helmet innards.

[Water Warrior 2]

Read this somewhere years ago. A fellow having trouble with perspiration running down into his eyes in very hot weather. Stopped at a drug store. A ladies panty liner worked well when applied to the helmet liner at forehead height. No it wasn't me.

[patrick_777]

Tampons work for the ears too.

...from what I hear. :whistle: