Washing Helmets - A Cautionary Tale

[AppleTree]

So, I had read somewhere that helmets could be put in the dishwasher on a gentle cycle (no heat drying cycle) successfully. And in fact, I did it twice, with great success and no issues. The third time was NOT a charm though.

I washed my DH's Giro Livestrong helmet and it disintegrated areas of the paint and looks like it pitted the foam.

I guess I won't be doing that again.

[Kiwi Stoker]

Safest way to wash a helmet is in the shower with shampoo. A Dishwasher would heat the water too hot and destroy the glues and plastic.

[Becky]

+1 for the shower method.

[OakLeaf]

What Muirenn said.

I'd worry less about the heat (unless you use the dryer cycle - or unless your water is really 150° the way it's supposed to be for dishwashing, but most households' isn't) and more about the chemicals. It's the bleach, primarily, in the dishwashing liquid that's the reason you're not supposed to put most plastics in the dishwasher...

[Grits]

When my helmet straps get smelly, I wash the helmet by hand in the kitchen sink with some dishwashing liquid and then set the helmet on top of a bowl of sudsy water with the straps dangling down to soak for a while. The shower works too, but sometimes the straps need a little extra cleaning time.