question about helmets

[mimitabby]

Well, DUH!!! I didn't even think about the fact that sweat is wet. LOL

I haven't ridden in the rain yet so didn't think about that either.

Thanks Mimi, and no I wasn't planning on using the washing machine. LOL

It was just a funny thought i didn't think you were going to do that.
clunk clunk clunk clunk clunk

[CorsairMac]

DDH: you may laugh but I actually got the idea here on the board: I take my helmet in the shower with me after a particurlarly hot/sweaty ride. I only use pure soap anyway so I just rinse the helmet under the shower, soap up the straps and pads and rinse everything out. I then hang the helmet on the shower head to dry before my next ride.

[Susie]

A friend of mine told me to do the following:

1. Get in the shower and get your hair lathered up with shampoo
2. Set the helmet on your head and smoosh it around so that you get shampoo all inside
3. Lather up the helmet straps
4. Rinse and let dry

I thought this sounded a little weird, but asked at my LBS. They asked the Giro rep who said "that's a great idea". Now all the guys at the shop do it. Apparently, the shampoo doesn't damage the foam and will go a long way towards getting rid of the salt and grime.

Cheers,

Susie

[7rider]

There are no dumb questions....
only dumb answers!!
Just kidding.
If I *don't* wash my helmet, my blue straps get stained white with salt. It's pretty nasty. So I routinely wash out the helmet under running water, shake it out and hang it up to dry. Occasionally, I remove the pads (they're just held in with Velcro and it's pretty easy to figure out how they go back in), and wash them separately in a little bit of Woolite. The pads will eventually look a bit tattered, but they still work and don't stink. Don't want a stinky helmet!

[Fredwina]

I've managed to pads in a washing machine and have them come Ok. The only discliamer is they were for a Limar, not a Bell/Giro

[DDH]

Great, thanks girls!!

I was starting to think I was being weird I mean I asked DH and then when we were in the bike shop one time, I asked the guy in there and niether of them give me an answer and kind of look at me funny.
Maybe it's a girl thing

[MomOnBike]

And here I was thinking of the dishwasher.

Oh wait, that's for fencing masks! (seriously-I about had a stroke the first time Younger Daughter put her $expen$ive$ mask in the dishwasher )

If I weren't in such a hurry to get the helmet off my head, it might actually make it into the shower with me. As it is, the thing stays in the garage... I'll try to do better