Jessica Jahiel's HORSE-SENSE Newsletter Archives

Stinky helmet

From: David

Dear Jessica, you're the best. I don't know who else to ask this but you take everybody seriously so here goes: what can I do about a really stinky helmet? I sweat a lot, more than most guys I guess and my head gets real wet when I ride. I always wear a helmet (you should like that) but my helmet is incredibly smelly. Do you know any way I can get it to smell halfway decent again? Thanks Jessica!

Dave

Hi Dave! You're right, I take everybody seriously, and I AM happy that you always wear a helmet. Good for you! ;-)

Yes, helmets can get extremely smelly, especially if you do a lot of riding in hot weather. Even daily hair-washing doesn't always keep a helmet smelling nice.

If you look through a few tack and clothing catalogues, you'll probably find some aerosol spray bottles of "helmet-freshening" substances. If you're in more of a hurry than that, there are other things you can use (for less money).

At any auto-supply store and at most pharmacies you can find spray cans of upholstery cleaner. This works quite well on helmet interiors. If your helmet is so horrible you don't want to go near it, try putting it out in the sun and spraying it with Lysol and letting it dry.

When you put your helmet away, hang it where it can get some air (stuffy tack lockers don't help much with either drying or ventilation); you can also keep a box of baking soda (still a wonderful deodorizer!) in your tack locker. There are "refrigerator boxes" of baking soda, made with mesh panels -- one of these in the locker will help quite a lot, and in summer, you may even want to put one IN your helmet. (By the way, these are great for car interiors too -- shove one under the seat if your car is stinky, it's much nicer than hanging even stinkier items from the mirror.) ;-)

One last thought -- you didn't mention what type of helmet you use, but you might try a Lexington Lidlocker. It has great ventilation and seems to allow more air-space between the rider's head and the helmet.

Jessica

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