My helmet stinks!?

Question

Okay so I ride horses everyday. It's sooo hot here and my helmet is always really sweaty and really gross when I'm done riding. How can I help remove some of the yuckyness from it?

I've heard baking soda works.

Answer 1

Ahhh, yes. Summer Helmet Funk. Have suffered from this condition for many years. I have an International ATH helmet, with black fabric harness. Grossness accumulates on the inside of the helmet across my forehead and on the harness. Here's what I do about once a month in the hot weather.

Wait for a day with lots of sun and 0% humidity. I use a garden hose on VERY fine spray and lightly mist the offending areas. Next I use a toothbrush with one drop of Dawn dish detergent per area of gunk (ie: one for the forehead area, one for each side of the harness). Mist lightly again. Use a thick terry towel to blot up the soapy water as it accumulates. Repeat. The trick is to not saturate the entire helmet because that would void the warranty.

Lastly, let dry upside down in strong sun for a few hours. Remember, the sun kills some mildews/ bacteria too.

Have done this for the past 3 years each summer and it kills the funk every time. I also have heard of Febreeze or Lysol spray afterward but to my nose, those things have just as awful a stank.

Good luck.

Answer 2

Charles Owen make a spray to clean and deodorize hats.

I think you can buy it at most tack shops.

http://www.robinsons-uk.com/products/sea...

Answer 3

what did we ever do before febreeze?

Answer 4

It depends on what helmet you have.  There are also a few options you have.  Freezing it may compromise the materials in your helmet, as does heat.  General rules are to get a new helmet every 4-5 years as the safety standards change and update.  Also if that helmet has ever taken a hit or been dropped constantly it will break down the materials in the helmet.  

To keep it smelling fresh and new you can use a refresher spray (sold at most tack stores).  If your looking for something that is enviornmentally friendly try the Sport Hat & Helmet Refresher spray by English Riding Supply.  (About $13 through Mary's Tack and Feed.)  Or Charles Owen has a spray, Hat Deodorizer (about $10 through Marys) that you can spray into the helmet to refresh and sanitize.

Another option is to put it in the dishwasher.  No soap, short cycle, no heat, on the top.  I have put my GPA in there numerous times to clean it and it comes out like new.  No smell or anything.  The downside is it does take a day or two for the helmet to dry.  This may not be the most practical option for you.

If its a less expensive model you would probably be fine hosing it out.  Remember when letting it dry to have it out of direct sun.  Your best option would be the spray.  If you keep it in a helmet bag remember to let it dry compleatly before putting it in your bag.  Otherwise it will trap all the moisture an make things even worse.

Answer 5

What i did with mine today cuz it was really gross is i tok some regualr dis soap and rubbed it in where is was smelly and gross then i took the tap on the sink and washe dit out lightly scrubbing then i did the straps and then after put it out to dry, it now smells 1 million times better.. seeing the dirt and stuf come out of it was really really gross!

Answer 6

Depending on what type of helmet you have you can put it in the dishwasher without the dry cycle so it doesn't melt. I've done it with my GPA, GR8, and IRH...

Answer 7

Well, I'm clueless on your question but there are some super answers here...now, I know what to do if I ever have a similar problem!!!!!

Answer 8

I have the same problem, so I wash the lining of my helmet at least once a week with just a mild soad and water and then let it air dry. It keeps it cleaner and less smelly, plus it washes out the oil and dirt, which helps prevent forehead breakouts.

Answer 9

Sorry to break it to you like this. And this is coming from a college catcher. So don't take this the wrong way sweetie.

Get used to it. Nothing solves the funk. You can hide it for a while. Cover it up for a bit. Blame it on someone else wearing your helmet. All kinds of things. But the fact is when you sweat things are going to get really funky.

Really the best thing to do is not to store it in a bag let it air and dry out. But nothing is going solve the funk just make it less it less noticeable. Rinse it out after you ride with fresh water every time, it will help better than anything else.

Answer 10

Freezing it will get rid of the bacteria that makes it stinky.  That might negate the warranty, though...not really sure.  When I buy antique books that are super-stinky with smoke smell or mildew, I put them in a Ziploc bag into the freezer for a day or two and after that, they are stink-free.  You might also give it a good cleaning and then spray it with Lysol (or a similar germ-killing spray) and let it air dry completely before using it again.

Answer 11

Wipe it down with something that wont hurt your hair or agitate your scalp!  THEN FEBREEEEEZZZZE it babay!! :)

Answer 12

okay, i have the same helmet and the same problem..

first of all, once your done riding leave it out hanging somewhere so that it can dry (don't put it in a locker or tack trunk.. i hang mine on a hook of my horses door)

then buy this stuff ..http://www.doversaddlery.com/charles-owe...

its AMAZING!.  it seems stupid, i know, but it works so well, its worth it!

it makes your helmet smell nice and just FEEL cleaner on your head.  I can't say enough, its just so good [=

good luck!

Answer 13

If it has a netting in it take that out and wash it, Then spray the whole helmet with frebreeze or blow everything out with a blow dryer. Works on my helmet. That is the problem with staying in the trends. Just because everyone has that helmet does not mean it is the best it anyway.

Answer 14

Ok spray Freebreze in it wipe it with wipes and rubing achohal.

Answer 15

I like the dryer sheet idea, I have heard that works well.  Also when you ride try riding with a bandana on your head, as long as the helmet still fits with it, that seems to help as well.

Good Luck.

Answer 16

Charles owen's makes a spray on hat cleaner and hat deodorizer. Both come out as foam and you let it sit in your hat, then you wipe it clean with a damp cloth, it's what i use and they're awesome!

Answer 17

Wipe it out with rubbing alcohol on a rag, then spray Febreeze in it. Or put a dryer sheet (fabric softener sheet) inside it before you put it away. It will come out smelling fresh and lovely :)

Answer 18

You can try spraying something like Febreeze in it to get rid of some of the odors.  I've also used that stuff you spray in your shoes for the smell and any fungus that might be in there.  Baking soda helps eliminate odors as well, but I would try lysol disinfectant spray or a febreeze type thing first.

Good luck!