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.
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