Cleaning the inside of a helmet

[zip]

So my Shoei Multitec, a great helmet, smells bad inside. Riding on hot days, or returning from playing baseball (yep, not softball), it gets a bit funky.

Any suggestions on washing, cleaning, de-funkifying your helmet on the inside? The Shoei manual and site doesn't seem to say anything about it, and the google search of this site didn't seem to yield anything, either.

By the way, when I try Google searching here, I use (without quotes) "fjr forum: cleaning helmet" etc., and it nearly always yields just a single result. Any other tips on searching?

Thanks.

 

[Pierre]

I use Motorex Helmet care foam

Does a good job !

 

[Silent]

I've heard Fabreeze works even tho I haven't tried it myself.

 

[zip]

I use Motorex Helmet care foam
Does a good job !

Merci, Pierre. Je dois le trouver. Je ne connais pas cette produit.

And Silent, I may just have some Fabreze at the house, so will try that, too. Thanks!

 

[Foxhuntr]

try: helmet cleaning site:fjrforum.com.

My wife takes the lining out of her helmet and cleans it with a spray-on carpet cleaning product and a rag.

 

[FJRay]

I had a customer that said he put his in the dishwasher and it worked fine but I don't know if I would try it. I take the liner out of mine and hand wash it and hang to dry. I also use the fabreeze with good results.

 

[JamesK]

I've heard Fabreeze works even tho I haven't tried it myself.

I've been using Fabreeze on all my gear, including helmet lining (without having to remove it) and it works great, as well or IMHO better than any of the other specialty products out there.

 

[Jackson]

I use Motorex Helmet care foam
Does a good job !

I did a search for it and found an evaluation at Web Bike World:

Motorex Helmet Care was specifically designed to clean helmet liners, although they also claim it can be used to clean the outside of the helmet.
The can has a special spray tip that can be used upside-down. Shake it up and let it rip inside the helmet and it blasts out just like a dollop of shaving cream. It creates an instantaneous mountain of foam, so it works better if the spray is quickly directed around the inside on the liner. I usually stick my hand in there and mix it up and pat the Motorex foam down on to the helmet liner, then let it sit for about a minute or two.

A paper towel or clean cloth towel can be used to gently wipe the Motorex foam off the liner. It seems to clean up most of the greasy spots and it freshens up the liner material. At first I didn't mind the smell, but after using it a couple of times, I realized I'm not very fond of it after all. It has a sort of cloying perfume/chemical smell that stays in the helmet liner (and on my hands) for too long, which I suppose may be a good thing for some helmets... But I wish it had either no odor or something a bit lighter.

Conclusion

Many motorcyclists don't realize that there is a product specifically designed to clean the liner on the inside of a helmet. Motorex Helmet Care isn't necessarily a must-have product, but just be aware that it's there to help if you have a case of "stinky helmet".

HERE is a link where it can be purchased.

 

[Bungie]

I cleaned my with good old shampoo.. I figure its formulated for head scuzz anyway. Worked great. No problems.

 

[monk69]

As every avenue has already been discussed on cleaning the inside of helmets.I would like to give a suggestion on how not to get it messy in the first place.Buy,or make a scull-cap to wear inside your helmet(found that little trick in the service from pilots).

 

[SkooterG]

What he said above. Do you use helmet liner?

I use Sliks helmet liner and rarely need to clean mine.

 

[Makuna]

Whats wrong with a little mld fabric soap and sink full of water to "bath" the helmet in?

I never found any warnings about water inside the helmet.

So I remove as many pieces that snap out and soak the whole thing in a mild soap and water, rinse well, then let dry. It ends up with no perfume smell (no more than cloths out of a dryer) and no funky smells.

 

[Scab]

Is it just me, or has anyone else noticed that monk69's avatar looks as though he's sitting in an interrogation room... marveling at what he believes is not enough evidence for a conviction?

 

[Solo]

In the past month or two, one of the major motorcycle rags asked a leading helmet manufacturer (Arai or Shoei?) about helmet cleaning and they said to dunk it in a sink of water with a mild soap (I use Woolite), rub the stuff around, rinse it out good, sop up as much water as you can from the inside using a towel, and let it dry out. I've tried it and it works fine for me.

 

[monk69]

I refuse to answer that,on the grounds that it might excite me.

Better to be thought a fool,than to speak,and let it be known.

 

[Scab]

Better to be thought a fool,than to speak,and let it be known.

Obviously, I have no secrets. :lol:

 

[eeksnake]

Fabreeze has been my friend for years. I'll also stick the helmet liner in the dishwasher whenever putting on the helmet makes me gag. :bad:

Haven't tried the skull-cap or Silks liner yet. Sounds like a great idea.

 

[monk69]

Subject: 3% peroxide

'I would like to tell you of the benefits of that plain little old bottle of 3% peroxide you can get for under $1.00 at any drug store. My husband has been in the medical field for over 36 years, and most doctors don't tell you about peroxide.

Why Not: Could it be thousands of dollars in lost income…?

1. Take one capful (the little white cap that comes with the bottle) and hold in your mouth for 10 minutes daily, then spit it out. (I do it when I bathe)

No more canker sores and your teeth will be whiter without expensive pastes. Use it instead of mouthwash. (Small print says mouth wash and gargle right on the bottle)

2. Let your toothbrushes soak in a cup of 'Peroxide' to keep them free of germs.

3. Clean your counters, table tops with peroxide to kill germs and leave a fresh smell. Simply put a little on your dishrag when you wipe, or spray it on the counters.

4. After rinsing off your wooden cutting board, pour peroxide on it to kill salmonella and other bacteria.

5. I had fungus on my feet for years - until I sprayed a 50/50 mixture of peroxide and water on them (especially the toes) every night and let dry.

6. Soak any infections or cuts in 3% peroxide for five to ten minutes several times a day. My husband has seen gangrene that would not heal with any medicine, but was healed by soaking in peroxide.

7. Fill a spray bottle with a 50/50 mixture of peroxide and water and keep it in every bathroom. It will disinfect without harming your septic system like bleach or most other disinfectants will.

8. Tilt your head back and spray into nostrils with your 50/50 mixture whenever you have a cold, or plugged sinuses. It will bubble and help to kill the bacteria. Hold for a few minutes then blow your nose into a tissue.

9. If you have a terrible toothache and cannot get to a dentist right away, put a

capful of 3% peroxide into your mouth and hold it for ten minutes several times a day. The pain will lessen greatly.

10. And of course, if you like a natural look to your hair, spray the 50/50 solution on your wet hair after a shower and comb it through. You will not have the peroxide burnt blonde hair like the hair dye packages, but more natural highlights if your hair is a light brown, reddish, or dirty blonde. It also lightens gradually so it's not a drastic change.

11. Put half a bottle of peroxide in your bath to help rid boils, fungus, or other skin infections.

12. You can also add a cup of peroxide instead of bleach to a load of whites in your laundry to whiten them. If there is blood on clothing, pour directly on the soiled spot. Let it sit for a minute, then rub it and rinse with cold water. Repeat if necessary.

13. I use peroxide to clean my mirrors with, and there is no smearing which is why I love it so much for this.

I could go on and on. It is a little brown bottle---no home should be without! With prices of most necessities rising, I'm glad there's a way to save tons of money in such a simple, healthy manner.’

FYI, Oxi-clean is 3% peroxide. Did you know…

 

[C&C]

I have run my Shoei RF-900 through the dishwasher three or four times. The crash foam is not going to be harmed and the liner is fine in the water as well. I don't use the water heat cycle and obviously don't use the heat dry either. Your biggest concern, if you decide to do this, is what soap/detergent should you use. Use a mild cleaner that doesn't foam; I used an upholstery cleaner that was non foaming. Your call obviously; the only wear that looked out of the ordinary was that the chin strap leather cracked (probably due to getting wet and then drying out).