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Sweaty helmet....
.... pads.
I've been cycling a long time, and for the last 30 years almost exclusively with a plastic lid (as some would call it.) I've never really paid attention to the state of the small removable pads, except to kow that putting them on when wet with sweat is unpleasant. It was only recently (my mind, especially on matters of hygiene, works at a glacial rate) that I thought that perhaps I should wash these things as the sweat literally runs out of them whilst riding. So, from a heathen Down-Under, what do you good gentle folk do to maintain the sweet smelling freshness of the pads that fit in your helmet???
If you're new please join in and if you have questions pop them below and the forum regulars will answer as best we can.
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16 comments
Wash them in machine - placing in a sock a good idea or use one of the bags your lady friend washes her brassiere in. They tend to disentegrate after a while and washing them speeds up this process, so you have to buy some new pads eventually. New pads are, as others have observed, disproportionately expensive.
Note of caution.
I went through a similar thought process after wearing my Synthe for about a year with no pad cleansing. Very gently handwashed the pads once and they have all but disintegrated. They were completely fine beforehand.
Replacement Synthe pad set = £10 and apparently rare as hen's teeth in size L
I've washed mine in the dishwasher and then a few drops of the wife's lavender oil keeps them smelling half decent.
Hand wash them with water and laundry liquid. They dry pretty quickly so they're ready for the next day.
"Wash my helmet".........."after a ride"...............Where did I leave my archive of Viz comics?
Put them in a sock and wash them in the machine at low temp with a dose of disinfectant. I also scrub the straps with a nail brush and disinfectant.
I'm a convert to washing the pads in my helmet. Two or three times I've been caught in very heavy rain which washes the salt out of the pads and it feels like acid dripping into your eyes, you literally can't see until you've stopped and got the salt out of your eyes.
Take them out and give them a clean with baby shampoo and water, rinse well and hang out to dry. Get a spare pair and alternate between the two.
Every 30 or so miles i stop and suck mine dry
It removes all the sweat and gets my salt levels back up
Same as I do for my cycling shoes.
http://www.drfoot.co.uk/acatalog/Dr_Foot_shoe_spray.html
I just buy a bulk bunch of new pad sets and replace them every couple of weeks over summer. Not such a problem over winter.
Good gracious. When I ask in my LBS for new pads for my helmet they look at me as if I'm speaking a strange language, and then charge me $24 for a new set (the helmet only cost $130).
Muc-off's Foam Fresh is pretty good at dissipating the pong.
I wear a beanie under my lid. Pads still get damp but stay much fresher and helmet hair is also kept under control. I suspect the beanie also work like a poor mans MIPS
Down under? Glen20 spray then probably illegal in EU
When I get home I run the whole helmet under the tap, squeeze out the pads, and hang up to dry.
I've had no complaints about the smell so i guess it works.