Helmet Wash

Kaptain Kanji

Kaptain Kanji

Registered
I bought a used Shoei helmet off Craigslist, which the seller advertised as "perfect".
Well, when I got it, I found that not only was it scratched to hell but the inside smelled
like mold and was oily and dirty. The insides on this older helmet do NOT come out.
I sprayed it with Lysol inside and that helped a lot but it was still dirty and made my head itch.
After doing some research on the web and finding lots of suggestions, I finally came upon what seemed like a good idea.
I grabbed the helmet and put it in the dishwasher with the open side down, measured
in the soap and turned it on. When the cycle was done, I opened it up, dried off the top
and let it drip for a half an hour. Then I put it with the open side facing the output from
our ionic air filter, which puts out a nice breeze. I let it dry there overnight and in the
morning it was nice and dry and smelled great. Looks like it just might be a success.!!
:beerchug:
 
Last edited:
I just dunk mine in the bathtub , wash it with shampoo and then dry with towel stuffed inside followed by a hair dryer .
In Florida your helmet gets wet and sweaty almost everytime we ride .
I'll have to try the dishwasher as it seems like less work .
Thanks
 
Appaloosa-Busa said:
I bought a used Shoei helmet off Craigslist, which the seller advertised as "perfect".
Well, when I got it, I found that not only was it scratched to hell but the inside smelled
like mold and was oily and dirty. The insides on this older helmet do NOT come out.
I sprayed it with Lysol inside and that helped a lot but it was still dirty and made my head itch.
After doing some research on the web and finding lots of suggestions, I finally came upon what seemed like a good idea.
I grabbed the helmet and put it in the dishwasher with the open side down, measured
in the soap and turned it on. When the cycle was done, I opened it up, dried off the top
and let it drip for a half an hour. Then I put it with the open side facing the output from
our ionic air filter, which puts out a nice breeze. I let it dry there overnight and in the
morning it was nice and dry and smelled great. Looks like it just might be a success.!!
:beerchug:
Click to expand...


:rofl:....yet ingenious at the same time ???


Not so sure how much I'd want the internals of my helmet getting completely soaked....but hey...if it helped your situation.....:thumbsup:
 
Update:
After checking the inside of the helmet thoroughly, I found two places the dishwasher missed because I didn't lay the straps out to the side. (my mistake). I took Bianca Busa's idea and washed those
two places over the bathtub using shampoo and a brush. I squeezed the excess water out and now
she's drying in front of the filter again. Think I finally got it.!!
Yes, I can imagine riding in Florida will require a regular cleaning program for ones helmet.!!
 
This time of year its a least once a month if not more.
I just dunk it and wash it and rinse it .
Then I cram a big towel in there as hard as I can to leech out the water and then use a hairdryer.
I really would like to find a good boot dryer like the ones you hang your winter boots on for cheap money.
Then I wont have to stand there holding hairdryer.
But your right it is silly that they do not make a liner that comes completely out so you can just bag it and put it in the washing machine with the rest of your clothes.
 
Takeuon said:
:rofl:....yet ingenious at the same time ???


Not so sure how much I'd want the internals of my helmet getting completely soaked....but hey...if it helped your situation.....:thumbsup:
Click to expand...


Brian I dunk mine completely in water several times to get all the sweat and funk out. Then hand massage shampoo into it all over and then rinse and dry. Done that at least 2 dozen times to my Shoei.
 
FAQs about Snell and Helmets

The five year replacement recommendation is based on a consensus by both the helmet manufacturers and the Snell Foundation. Glues, resins and other materials used in helmet production over can affect liner materials. Hair oils, body fluids and cosmetics, as well as normal "wear and tear" all contribute to helmet degradation. Petroleum based products present in cleaners, paints, fuels and other commonly encountered materials may also degrade materials used in many helmets possibly degrading performance. Additionally, experience indicates there will be a noticeable improvement in the protective characteristic of helmets over a five year period due to advances in materials, designs, production methods and the standards. Thus, the recommendation for five year helmet replacement is a judgment call stemming from a prudent safety philosophy.
 
mike1180 said:
FAQs about Snell and Helmets

The five year replacement recommendation is based on a consensus by both the helmet manufacturers and the Snell Foundation. Glues, resins and other materials used in helmet production over can affect liner materials. Hair oils, body fluids and cosmetics, as well as normal "wear and tear" all contribute to helmet degradation. Petroleum based products present in cleaners, paints, fuels and other commonly encountered materials may also degrade materials used in many helmets possibly degrading performance. Additionally, experience indicates there will be a noticeable improvement in the protective characteristic of helmets over a five year period due to advances in materials, designs, production methods and the standards. Thus, the recommendation for five year helmet replacement is a judgment call stemming from a prudent safety philosophy.
Click to expand...

mike1180 said:
Here is another good one:

Helmet Replacement | MotorcycleHelmetCritic.com
Click to expand...

Mike where were you when I was growing up cuz I got stuck with same ole yellow Bell for at least 7 yrs cuz my pop said its still fine quit complainin'
:rofl:
 
Blanca Busa said:
Mike where were you when I was growing up cuz I got stuck with same ole yellow Bell for at least 7 yrs cuz my pop said its still fine quit complainin'
:rofl:
Click to expand...

Me too.
My Bell was 1970 vintage. :laugh:
I still have it (at my brothers place)
What a difference then and now!

Of course my first car was a used 1955 Ford
NO: rear seat belts, headrests, padded dash, air bags, disc brakes, ABS, collapsable steering column, radial tires...well you get the picture, and hey it still worked?
 
The Arai helmets (the ones I have) have Certified, Authorized paint shops that are the only ones who can paint their helmets.
Anyone else doing anything else to the shell is not compliant with their standards, and they go so far as to say the placement of any stickers on the shell may have an adverse effect on the performance.
Getting extreme, but hey they should know.
 
Well, seeing I'm riding a widow maker/death machine and dodging idiots driving while
talking on the cellphone, avoiding deer, raccoons and snarling dogs, I guess I'm
not going to worry too much about the glue coming loose in my helmet. :laugh:
Thanks for the info anyway, I'll get a nice new one when my "rich uncle" dies.!!
 
You can always borrow one of Bushido69's helmets he has an extra one or two...:rofl:

bushidos helmets.jpg
 
OMG, Bushido69 has got to have $10K worth of helmets there.!! They are really beautiful
too. No wonder I can't find a good looking one, he's got them all..!! :laugh:
Thanks for the info PandaNin.
 
Blanca Busa said:
You can always borrow one of Bushido69's helmets he has an extra one or two...:rofl:
Click to expand...

That's just ridiculous. ??? I guess it just goes to show you can become addicted to anything. I suppose over time, you probably can accrue quiet few, but they all still look "in style". Nice.
 
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