as the title suggests, i’ve tried washing etc unsuccessfully but there must be a method of ridding backpack and helmet straps of stale faustyness?

A dose disinfectant maybe? It’s beyond what a 40′ wash in my machine can do!

its called a washing machine, use it, just use some thing like dettol 🙂

Direct sunlight for a reasonable period of time? You’ll probably need to wait for another 6 months then…

helmet in the shower.

backpack goes in the washing m/c on a waterproofing cycle.

http://www.tesco.com/groceries/Product/Details/?id=278374966

Pack goes in the wash with dirty kit on a hot wash. Will the helmet straps come off? If so just bung them in a sock and put them in the hot wash too, otherwise maybe sponge off with some hot water and something like that ^^^ dettol.

Stinky helmet … There must be a cure??

Do a Google seacrh for “Mumsnet” and “Beaker”.

Vinegar* – soak your stuff in a 50/50 water/vinegar solution then wash it normally.

*Balsamic is not reccommended.

Halo Sports Wash does the job for my camelbak.

Helmet – bin the pads every 6 bonths and buy new ones. Wash in anti-bacterial soap once in a while inbetween.

Bag – washing machine + napisan/Halo/Detol*

*not advisble if you don’t like the smell following you for the next few hundred miles.

shampoo for helmets. take it in the shower