Helmet Rott

[Peter H]

Hi All:

I'm new to cycling this year and ride 3 - 5 times weekly, 150 - 200
kms. The straps on my helmet don't always have time to fully dry
between rides and now I've noticed a nasty, mildewy smell coming from
it.

I'm wondering if anyone else has had this problem.

Is the helmet a gonner?

I realize that I could probably wash it in a bleach/water solution,
but I'd worry about how my skin would react to that.

Thanks for all replies.

Peter H

[Tom Keats]

In article <5ea295da-d38f-4f06-986a-1a496ff3a5c1@34g2000hsf.googlegroups.com>,
Peter H <haneburyp@rogers.com> writes:
> Hi All:
>
> I'm new to cycling this year and ride 3 - 5 times weekly, 150 - 200
> kms. The straps on my helmet don't always have time to fully dry
> between rides and now I've noticed a nasty, mildewy smell coming from
> it.
>
> I'm wondering if anyone else has had this problem.
>
> Is the helmet a gonner?
>
> I realize that I could probably wash it in a bleach/water solution,
> but I'd worry about how my skin would react to that.
>
> Thanks for all replies.

Scrub the straps occasionally with a mild dishwashing
soap solution and an old toothbrush.

And stick sprigs of sage from your kitchen garden in 'em.

It smells nice, but not effeminately "pretty." You may end
up craving turkey dinners, though.

Parsely kills odours pretty good, too. But I don't
like parsely very much.

Lemon grass is nice.

And there's always good ol' pachouli, which everybody hates.


Who smells their own helmet straps anyways?


cheers,
Tom

--
Nothing is safe from me.
I'm really at:
tkeats curlicue vcn dot bc dot ca

[Leo Lichtman]

"Peter H" wrote: I realize that I could probably wash it in a bleach/water
solution,
> but I'd worry about how my skin would react to that.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
You are right that bleach is good for killing mildew. After the straps dry,
the water AND the bleach will be gone--not to worry. If you want to test
this statement, dip a Band-aid in bleach and let it dry. Then put it on
your skin and see what happens. To do a REAL test, you need to do two
Band-aids: one treated with bleach and one untreated. To do a REAL REAL
test, you need to do double blind, where the person judging the results does
not have a clue which is which.

[landotter]

On Aug 2, 5:45*pm, Peter H <hanebu...@rogers.com> wrote:
> Hi All:
>
> I'm new to cycling this year and ride 3 - 5 times weekly, 150 - 200
> kms. The straps on my helmet don't always have time to fully dry
> between rides and now I've noticed a nasty, mildewy smell coming from
> it.
>
> I'm wondering if anyone else has had this problem.
>
> Is the helmet a gonner?
>
> I realize that I could probably wash it in a bleach/water solution,
> but I'd worry about how my skin would react to that.
>
> Thanks for all replies.

If you're not riding in a high risk type situation: in a pack with
other cyclists, at night without lights, off road, messengering, etc--
try a jaunty cap instead! No straps to stink.

[D_Frumious_B@ndersnat.ch]

Peter H <haneburyp@rogers.com> wrote:

<snip>

> I realize that I could probably wash it in a bleach/water solution,
> but I'd worry about how my skin would react to that.

Easy to tell this isn't rec.climbing! Helmet straps are made of
nylon. Bleach is extremely bad for nylon. NEVER let bleach contact a
rope or a sling or a helmet strap or anything else made of nylon that
your life could depend on.
If this problem is really chronic, you might consider a second
helmet, so that you can wear one while the other dries out.
Personally I live in a dry climate, so damp helmet is rarely a
problem. Salt in the straps is, though. Sweat gets in there, and when
it dries it leaves behind tiny salt crystals, which can abrade the
fibers. I rinse my straps frequently, with plain tap water.


Bill

__o | Give a man a fire, and he will stay warm for a day.
_`\(,_ | Set a man on fire, he stays warm for the rest of his life.
(_)/ (_) |

[Paul O]

Peter H wrote, On 8/2/2008 6:45 PM:
> Hi All:
>
> I'm new to cycling this year and ride 3 - 5 times weekly, 150 - 200
> kms. The straps on my helmet don't always have time to fully dry
> between rides and now I've noticed a nasty, mildewy smell coming from
> it.
>
> I'm wondering if anyone else has had this problem.
>
> Is the helmet a gonner?
>
> I realize that I could probably wash it in a bleach/water solution,
> but I'd worry about how my skin would react to that.
>
> Thanks for all replies.
>
> Peter H
>
Peter,
The trick is to wash you helmet frequently so that the sweat and gunk
doesn't have a chance to build up. I wash my helmet after every 2 or 3
rides - more frequently during hot weather. I simply fill my kitchen
sink about an inch deep with a mix of dish washing detergent and water.
I swish the helmet around and use a dish washing brush to gently clean
the pads and webbing. Then I rinse the helmet off in the other sink with
the spray hose. (Having two sinks is great!) I also use the same
detergent mixture to hand wash my gloves and headband.

I hate putting on a salty greasy helmet.

--

Paul D Oosterhout
I work for SAIC (but I don't speak for SAIC)

[Pat]

> "Peter H" wrote: I realize that I could probably wash it in a
> bleach/water
> solution,
>> but I'd worry about how my skin would react to that.
> ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
> You are right that bleach is good for killing mildew. After the straps
> dry, the water AND the bleach will be gone--not to worry. If you want to
> test this statement, dip a Band-aid in bleach and let it dry. Then put it
> on your skin and see what happens. To do a REAL test, you need to do two
> Band-aids: one treated with bleach and one untreated. To do a REAL REAL
> test, you need to do double blind, where the person judging the results
> does not have a clue which is which.

Or, he could just realize that his clothes have been bleached many times and
he doesn't get a skin reaction....

Pat in TX
>
>

[raamman@gmail.com]

On Aug 2, 9:55*pm, "Pat" <m...@sunmaill.com> wrote:
> > "Peter H" wrote: * I realize that I could probably wash it in a
> > bleach/water
> > solution,
> >> but I'd worry about how my skin would react to that.
> > ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
> > You are right that bleach is good for killing mildew. *After the straps
> > dry, the water AND the bleach will be gone--not to worry. *If you want to
> > test this statement, dip a Band-aid in bleach and let it dry. *Then put it
> > on your skin and see what happens. *To do a REAL test, you need to do two
> > Band-aids: *one treated with bleach and one untreated. *To do a REAL REAL
> > test, you need to do double blind, where the person judging the results
> > does not have a clue which is which.
>
> Or, he could just realize that his clothes have been bleached many times and
> he doesn't get a skin reaction....
>
> Pat in TX
>
>
>
> - Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

just dunk your helmet into the bathtub with some mild shampoo; soap it
up and rinse it off. usually, after a ride, don't laugh, I just step
into the shower with everything but my cycling shoes on, rinse and
wash everything at the same time so the next day I have nice clean
gear. pert shampoo works great, lots of suds, rinses clean, doesn't
affect prints, melt stuff or whatever.

[Navigator]

On Sat, 2 Aug 2008 20:55:56 -0500, "Pat" <moon@sunmaill.com> wrote:

>
>> "Peter H" wrote: I realize that I could probably wash it in a
>> bleach/water
>> solution,
>>> but I'd worry about how my skin would react to that.
>> ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
>> You are right that bleach is good for killing mildew. After the straps
>> dry, the water AND the bleach will be gone--not to worry. If you want to
>> test this statement, dip a Band-aid in bleach and let it dry. Then put it
>> on your skin and see what happens. To do a REAL test, you need to do two
>> Band-aids: one treated with bleach and one untreated. To do a REAL REAL
>> test, you need to do double blind, where the person judging the results
>> does not have a clue which is which.
>
>Or, he could just realize that his clothes have been bleached many times and
>he doesn't get a skin reaction....
>
>Pat in TX
>>
>>
>
Speak for yourself. NONE of my clothes are washed with bleach.

[Frank Krygowski]

On Aug 3, 9:37*am, D_Frumiou...@ndersnat.ch wrote:
> Peter H <hanebu...@rogers.com> wrote:
>
> <snip>
>
> > I realize that I could probably wash it in a bleach/water solution,
> > but I'd worry about how my skin would react to that.
>
> * *Easy to tell this isn't rec.climbing! *Helmet straps are made of
> nylon. *Bleach is extremely bad for nylon. *NEVER let bleach contact a
> rope or a sling or a helmet strap or anything else made of nylon that
> your life could depend on.
> * *If this problem is really chronic, you might consider a second
> helmet, so that you can wear one while the other dries out.
> * *Personally I live in a dry climate, so damp helmet is rarely a
> problem. *Salt in the straps is, though. *Sweat gets in there, and when
> it dries it leaves behind tiny salt crystals, which can abrade the
> fibers. *I rinse my straps frequently, with plain tap water.

Wow. Just when I thought we'd run out of things to worry about...

INVISIBLE SALT CRYSTALS ABRADE CYCLISTS HELMET STRAPS! THOUSANDS OF
DEATHS RESULT!

"It was terrible! Terrible, I say! I saw Johnny's helmet strap
spontaneously shred just before his head hit the grill of the speeding
Humvee. If not for those salt crystals - and maybe some bleach -
Johnny would be alive, despite riding facing traffic at night with no
lights.

"I _told_ Johnny to buy at least two or three helmets and replace them
every three years, but the darn fool said his family needed the money
for food!"

- Frank Krygowski

[ZBicyclist]

D_Frumious_B@ndersnat.ch wrote:
> Peter H <haneburyp@rogers.com> wrote:
>
> <snip>
>
>> I realize that I could probably wash it in a bleach/water
>> solution,
>> but I'd worry about how my skin would react to that.
>
> Easy to tell this isn't rec.climbing! Helmet straps are made of
> nylon. Bleach is extremely bad for nylon. NEVER let bleach
> contact a
> rope or a sling or a helmet strap or anything else made of nylon
> that
> your life could depend on.

Didn't know that. Thanks.

[Tom Sherman]

Frank Krygowski wrote:
> On Aug 3, 9:37 am, D_Frumiou...@ndersnat.ch wrote:
>> Peter H <hanebu...@rogers.com> wrote:
>>
>> <snip>
>>
>>> I realize that I could probably wash it in a bleach/water solution,
>>> but I'd worry about how my skin would react to that.
>> Easy to tell this isn't rec.climbing! Helmet straps are made of
>> nylon. Bleach is extremely bad for nylon. NEVER let bleach contact a
>> rope or a sling or a helmet strap or anything else made of nylon that
>> your life could depend on.
>> If this problem is really chronic, you might consider a second
>> helmet, so that you can wear one while the other dries out.
>> Personally I live in a dry climate, so damp helmet is rarely a
>> problem. Salt in the straps is, though. Sweat gets in there, and when
>> it dries it leaves behind tiny salt crystals, which can abrade the
>> fibers. I rinse my straps frequently, with plain tap water.
>
> Wow. Just when I thought we'd run out of things to worry about...
>
> INVISIBLE SALT CRYSTALS ABRADE CYCLISTS HELMET STRAPS! THOUSANDS OF
> DEATHS RESULT!...
>
Oh come off it Frank. You know well that the death toll from salt and
bleach attacked bicycle helmet straps results in HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS
if not MILLIONS of excess deaths per year. Over time, BILLIONS AND
BILLIONS could die prematurely.

--
Tom Sherman - Holstein-Friesland Bovinia
“Mary had a little lamb / And when she saw it sicken /
She shipped it off to Packingtown / And now it’s labeled chicken.”

[Paul O]

Tom Sherman wrote, On 8/3/2008 12:15 PM:
> Frank Krygowski wrote:
>> On Aug 3, 9:37 am, D_Frumiou...@ndersnat.ch wrote:
>>> Peter H <hanebu...@rogers.com> wrote:
>>>
>>> <snip>
>>>
>>>> I realize that I could probably wash it in a bleach/water solution,
>>>> but I'd worry about how my skin would react to that.
>>> Easy to tell this isn't rec.climbing! Helmet straps are made of
>>> nylon. Bleach is extremely bad for nylon. NEVER let bleach contact a
>>> rope or a sling or a helmet strap or anything else made of nylon that
>>> your life could depend on.
>>> If this problem is really chronic, you might consider a second
>>> helmet, so that you can wear one while the other dries out.
>>> Personally I live in a dry climate, so damp helmet is rarely a
>>> problem. Salt in the straps is, though. Sweat gets in there, and when
>>> it dries it leaves behind tiny salt crystals, which can abrade the
>>> fibers. I rinse my straps frequently, with plain tap water.
>>
>> Wow. Just when I thought we'd run out of things to worry about...
>>
>> INVISIBLE SALT CRYSTALS ABRADE CYCLISTS HELMET STRAPS! THOUSANDS OF
>> DEATHS RESULT!...
>>
> Oh come off it Frank. You know well that the death toll from salt and
> bleach attacked bicycle helmet straps results in HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS
> if not MILLIONS of excess deaths per year. Over time, BILLIONS AND
> BILLIONS could die prematurely.
>
Now I don't know what to think. I guess the only safe thing to do is sit
on may couch, watch television, and eat potato chips all
day... ;-)

--

Paul D Oosterhout
I work for SAIC (but I don't speak for SAIC)

[Leo Lichtman]

"ZBicyclist" (Clip) Helmet straps are made of
>> nylon. Bleach is extremely bad for nylon. (clip)
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Also, sunlight is bad for nylon. Do all your riding and climbing at night.

[Pat]

>>
>>Or, he could just realize that his clothes have been bleached many times
>>and
>>he doesn't get a skin reaction....
>>
>>Pat in TX
>>>
>>>
>>
> Speak for yourself. NONE of my clothes are washed with bleach.

Practically all of the detergents on the market have some sort of bleach in
them. That's why your navy blue towels fade and your black tee shirts get
gray. Sometimes they call the bleach "brighteners" or "whiteners" but those
are fancy words for...bleach.
>

[Frank Krygowski]

On Aug 4, 3:54*pm, Paul O <first.d.l...@company.com> wrote:
> Tom Sherman wrote, On 8/3/2008 12:15 PM:
>
> > Frank Krygowski wrote:
> >>
>
> >> Wow. *Just when I thought we'd run out of things to worry about...
>
> >> INVISIBLE SALT CRYSTALS ABRADE CYCLISTS HELMET STRAPS! *THOUSANDS OF
> >> DEATHS RESULT!...
>
> > Oh come off it Frank. You know well that the death toll from salt and
> > bleach attacked bicycle helmet straps results in HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS
> > if not MILLIONS of excess deaths per year. Over time, BILLIONS AND
> > BILLIONS could die prematurely.
>
> Now I don't know what to think. I guess the only safe thing to do is sit
> on may couch, watch television, and eat potato chips all
> day... * * * * * *;-)

But isn't that where the salt comes from???

Is ANYTHING safe???

- Frank Krygowski

[catzz66]

Paul O wrote:
>
>>
> Now I don't know what to think. I guess the only safe thing to do is sit
> on may couch, watch television, and eat potato chips all
> day... ;-)
>

You could also wear a do rag under your hell-mutt and wash the do rag often.

[Tom Sherman]

Paul O wrote:
> Tom Sherman wrote, On 8/3/2008 12:15 PM:
>> Frank Krygowski wrote:
>>> On Aug 3, 9:37 am, D_Frumiou...@ndersnat.ch wrote:
>>>> Peter H <hanebu...@rogers.com> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> <snip>
>>>>
>>>>> I realize that I could probably wash it in a bleach/water solution,
>>>>> but I'd worry about how my skin would react to that.
>>>> Easy to tell this isn't rec.climbing! Helmet straps are made of
>>>> nylon. Bleach is extremely bad for nylon. NEVER let bleach contact a
>>>> rope or a sling or a helmet strap or anything else made of nylon that
>>>> your life could depend on.
>>>> If this problem is really chronic, you might consider a second
>>>> helmet, so that you can wear one while the other dries out.
>>>> Personally I live in a dry climate, so damp helmet is rarely a
>>>> problem. Salt in the straps is, though. Sweat gets in there, and when
>>>> it dries it leaves behind tiny salt crystals, which can abrade the
>>>> fibers. I rinse my straps frequently, with plain tap water.
>>>
>>> Wow. Just when I thought we'd run out of things to worry about...
>>>
>>> INVISIBLE SALT CRYSTALS ABRADE CYCLISTS HELMET STRAPS! THOUSANDS OF
>>> DEATHS RESULT!...
>>>
>> Oh come off it Frank. You know well that the death toll from salt and
>> bleach attacked bicycle helmet straps results in HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS
>> if not MILLIONS of excess deaths per year. Over time, BILLIONS AND
>> BILLIONS could die prematurely.
>>
> Now I don't know what to think. I guess the only safe thing to do is sit
> on may couch, watch television, and eat potato chips all
> day... ;-)
>
Be sure to wear your helmet in case you fall off the couch. ;)

--
Tom Sherman - Holstein-Friesland Bovinia
“Mary had a little lamb / And when she saw it sicken /
She shipped it off to Packingtown / And now it’s labeled chicken.”

[Tom Sherman]

Frank Krygowski wrote:
> On Aug 4, 3:54 pm, Paul O <first.d.l...@company.com> wrote:
>> Tom Sherman wrote, On 8/3/2008 12:15 PM:
>>
>>> Frank Krygowski wrote:
>>>> Wow. Just when I thought we'd run out of things to worry about...
>>>> INVISIBLE SALT CRYSTALS ABRADE CYCLISTS HELMET STRAPS! THOUSANDS OF
>>>> DEATHS RESULT!...
>>> Oh come off it Frank. You know well that the death toll from salt and
>>> bleach attacked bicycle helmet straps results in HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS
>>> if not MILLIONS of excess deaths per year. Over time, BILLIONS AND
>>> BILLIONS could die prematurely.
>> Now I don't know what to think. I guess the only safe thing to do is sit
>> on may couch, watch television, and eat potato chips all
>> day... ;-)
>
> But isn't that where the salt comes from???
>
> Is ANYTHING safe???
>
No. Death is guaranteed.

--
Tom Sherman - Holstein-Friesland Bovinia
“Mary had a little lamb / And when she saw it sicken /
She shipped it off to Packingtown / And now it’s labeled chicken.”

[Dane Buson]

Tom Sherman <sunsetss0003@removethisyahoo.com> wrote:
> Frank Krygowski wrote:
>> On Aug 4, 3:54 pm, Paul O <first.d.l...@company.com> wrote:

>>> Now I don't know what to think. I guess the only safe thing to do is sit
>>> on may couch, watch television, and eat potato chips all
>>> day... ;-)
>>
>> But isn't that where the salt comes from???
>>
>> Is ANYTHING safe???
>>
> No. Death is guaranteed.

And generally limited to one per customer. Your mileage may vary of course.

--
Dane Buson - nn07tp08@unixbigots.org
Most people are unable to write because they are unable to think, and
they are unable to think because they congenitally lack the equipment
to do so, just as they congenitally lack the equipment to fly over the moon.
-- H.L. Mencken

[Leo Lichtman]

"Pat" wrote: (clip) Sometimes they call the bleach "brighteners" or
"whiteners" but those
> are fancy words for...bleach.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^>>
"Brighteners" and "whiteners" are actually fluorescent. They actually glow
a little and make you think "white."

[Navigator]

On Tue, 5 Aug 2008 20:46:19 -0500, "Pat" <moon@sunmaill.com> wrote:

>
>>>
>>>Or, he could just realize that his clothes have been bleached many times
>>>and
>>>he doesn't get a skin reaction....
>>>
>>>Pat in TX
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>> Speak for yourself. NONE of my clothes are washed with bleach.
>
>Practically all of the detergents on the market have some sort of bleach in
>them. That's why your navy blue towels fade and your black tee shirts get
>gray. Sometimes they call the bleach "brighteners" or "whiteners" but those
>are fancy words for...bleach.
>>
>
Yes, I know what you are talking about. NO, none of the detergents I
have EVER used had ANY BLEACH in them.

[Peter H]

On Aug 6, 2:52*pm, Navigator <n...@nobody.net> wrote:
> On Tue, 5 Aug 2008 20:46:19 -0500, "Pat" <m...@sunmaill.com> wrote:
>
> >>>Or, he could just realize that his clothes have been bleached many times
> >>>and
> >>>he doesn't get a skin reaction....
>
> >>>Pat in TX
>
> >> Speak for yourself. *NONE of my clothes are washed with bleach.
>
> >Practically all of the detergents on the market have some sort of bleach in
> >them. That's why your navy blue towels fade and your black tee shirts get
> >gray. *Sometimes they call the bleach "brighteners" or "whiteners" but those
> >are fancy words for...bleach.
>
> Yes, I know what you are talking about. *NO, none of the detergents I
> have EVER used had ANY BLEACH in them.

Thanks for all who took the time to reply.

A special thanks to the poster who confessed that he/she just took
their riding gear into the shower with them after their ride. I now do
the same and the problem is solved.

Peter H

[TRIPLE R]

On Aug 15, 12:47*pm, Peter H <hanebu...@rogers.com> wrote:
> On Aug 6, 2:52*pm, Navigator <n...@nobody.net> wrote:
>
>
>
> > On Tue, 5 Aug 2008 20:46:19 -0500, "Pat" <m...@sunmaill.com> wrote:
>
> > >>>Or, he could just realize that his clothes have been bleached many times
> > >>>and
> > >>>he doesn't get a skin reaction....
>
> > >>>Pat in TX
>
> > >> Speak for yourself. *NONE of my clothes are washed with bleach.
>
> > >Practically all of the detergents on the market have some sort of bleach in
> > >them. That's why your navy blue towels fade and your black tee shirts get
> > >gray. *Sometimes they call the bleach "brighteners" or "whiteners" but those
> > >are fancy words for...bleach.
>
> > Yes, I know what you are talking about. *NO, none of the detergents I
> > have EVER used had ANY BLEACH in them.
>
> Thanks for all who took the time to reply.
>
> A special thanks to the poster who confessed that he/she just took
> their riding gear into the shower with them after their ride. I now do
> the same and the problem is solved.
>
> Peter H

I was just taking a fully helmuted shower when I herd my laptop (oh
thats not in the shower by the way)beep a new message,did I miss
anything.ha ha I have been there wid the shower thing,I must admit
that I havent suffered helmet stink at all but by far the only two
things I will use is shampoo or dish wash liquid,I aint no sientist
but I know dishwash liquid acts like a degreaser to an extent which is
why its an all round cleaner,I do the same as Paul O and use this to
wash all my bike gears,When I run out of wash powder I use dishwash
and the kids and wife dont even notice the dif.Now I did have O rings
on my straps to stop them adjusting over time but now they have gone
WHAT HAPPENED,the mystery continues.

[Tom Sherman]

TRIPLE R wrote:
> On Aug 15, 12:47 pm, Peter H <hanebu...@rogers.com> wrote:
>> On Aug 6, 2:52 pm, Navigator <n...@nobody.net> wrote:
>>
>>
>>
>>> On Tue, 5 Aug 2008 20:46:19 -0500, "Pat" <m...@sunmaill.com> wrote:
>>>>>> Or, he could just realize that his clothes have been bleached many times
>>>>>> and
>>>>>> he doesn't get a skin reaction....
>>>>>> Pat in TX
>>>>> Speak for yourself. NONE of my clothes are washed with bleach.
>>>> Practically all of the detergents on the market have some sort of bleach in
>>>> them. That's why your navy blue towels fade and your black tee shirts get
>>>> gray. Sometimes they call the bleach "brighteners" or "whiteners" but those
>>>> are fancy words for...bleach.
>>> Yes, I know what you are talking about. NO, none of the detergents I
>>> have EVER used had ANY BLEACH in them.
>> Thanks for all who took the time to reply.
>>
>> A special thanks to the poster who confessed that he/she just took
>> their riding gear into the shower with them after their ride. I now do
>> the same and the problem is solved.
>>
>> Peter H
>
> I was just taking a fully helmuted shower...

Since people fall and hit their heads while bathing, wearing a foam hat
is a good idea. ;)

--
Tom Sherman - Holstein-Friesland Bovinia
“Mary had a little lamb / And when she saw it sicken /
She shipped it off to Packingtown / And now it’s labeled chicken.”