Just worked out that the horrible stink when I ride isn’t my jacket, shorts or pack – it’s my helmet.

How con I kill the pong before it kills my nose?

Have a shower, take it in and wash your helmet at the same time 😉

Muuuust resssiiist…

[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpPEUy8cBrU[/video]

Polish it more frequently?

You could try the scholl deodorising shoe/boot spray, seems to work pretty well on my stinky footwear

this stuff, the yellow tin

Take the pads out, raid the cupboards for one of the little mesh bags that go in the washing machine for tablets etc, put pads in bag, bung in the next wash.

Shake n vac

I use this:

😉

@Kryton – every once in a while I am genuinely lost for words ^^^

Ahh yes, I was about to recommend Neem leaf, but krytons bottle seems far easier! Plus its organic!

A sink full of hot water with biological washing liquid does the job. I don’t think it’s worth taking the pads out, because the straps will stink too, so do it all in one go.

Thanks for the replies (apart from Kryton’s – too much info 🙂 ).

I found some of this on the shelf in my office

and will give it a go

Washing machine seems not gentle enough for my helmet but polishing it more frequently seems a good idea 😉

One for next time – I’ve found that always wearing a buff on my head vastly reduces the amount of stinkiness that generates in the first place.

+1 for wearing a buff – also stops sweat running into your eyes.

I think the smell comes from bacteria that thrive in the pads when it stays damp. I’ve found if you get it on a heater immediately after a ride and this will stop the smell. The faster you dry it the less the bacteria breed.

I use this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sink-the-Stink-/111172271546?pt=UK_SportingGoods_Scuba_SnorkellingEquipment_SM&hash=item19e2623dba

seems to be able to even sure reeking climbing shoes (which is saying something)

By far the best way is to get someone else to polish your helmet while you lie back and…….well you just lie back 😀

Put the helmet in a bucket with a brick on top – add water and baby bottle sterilizing fluid and leave for a few hours.

I saw the thread title and knew this wasn’t going to go well, and Kryton didn’t disappoint. Made me giggle did that. 🙂

Being serious, like what I am – I find soaking up the sweat with kitchen roll after each ride stops the helmet requiring a wash quite so often.

(Oh dear. Sounds a bit Finbar, but tis true.)

I sweat a lot, live in a hot climate (it was 38c over the weekend), and commute by bike every day. My solution – just rinse pads and strap in the sink with a bit of detergent each day – and dry over night. Having three sets of removable pads helps so I can rotate them. You wouldn’t wear the same sweaty socks day after day without washing them – so why do it with a helmet?

Buff helmet liner pro!!!! “A short buff for use under helmet, made from fastwick extra plus, highly breathable and absorbs sweat, while being fast drying.” If that isn’t enough, its got Pro in the name 8)

You wouldn’t wear the same sweaty socks day after day without washing them – so why do it with a helmet?

If my head smelt like my feet, I probably would wash it every day 😉