I have an Arai helmet I used for several years, and then stored for about 3 years. Wrapped in a plastic bag. Not good. I now know that a helmet should be stored long term in something very breathable so that odors don't build up. Well, odors have definitely built up. I love this helmet, but when I put it on the odor inside is anything but pleasant.

Is there any way to clean and deoderize it? Obviously the odors are coming from the padding. The top padding comes out, but the main side padding does not. Has anybody out there been successful at cleaning these pads in place while still inside the helmet? If so, how? I want to be sure to clean it with something that will not add it's own permanent odor (even a nice one), and also want to be sure that it will not cause a problem when it is held against my skin for hours at a time.

Any help is appreciated!

have you tried febreze or the less expensive ZEP (Home depot) version?

BTW you should really replace your helmet every 3 years or so as the styrofoam insert supposedly becomes less effective with age. Maybe pick up a cheap helmet on closeout (like from motorcyclegear.com or motorcyclesuperstore.com and that will solve multiple problems.

First advice----throw it away! Cheap DOT approved helmet will do trick in crash.
Helmets don't get better as they age

As I ride everyday....I go thru at least 2 helmets a year, I find right now Arthur Fulmer being very comfortable, fair price, easy to clean, etc.


CLEAN inside---windex works as good as anything for me to keep stink down. Just returned last nite from 2500 mile 6 day trip---wore same helmet all days. It got the windex treatment on the inside and pledge on the outside treatment while it was still wet with sweat,

Craig,

I agree with the 'helmets don't improve with age' comment, but NOT the 'buy a cheap helmet' comment. Arai makes one of the best helmets around (look at all of the racers wearing them). If you are on a moped doing 30MPH, maybe a 'minimum requirement' helmet is OK, but if you are on the street riding at speed, get the best helmet you can afford. As to cleaning, there is a purpose made helmet cleaner that fits the bill, Helmet fresh cleaner and deoderizer. I have some at home that I use, and it works well. Available at Wing Stuff. Search for helmet cleaner.
http://wingstuff.com/search_list.php?searchval=helmet+cleaner

Have a look on the Arai web site and see if there is any advice for cleaning your helmet.

My Arai, the inner is removable and therefor washable, if the liner can be removed. take the time to give the shell a clean with something like Hibitane, that will hygenically clean the inside.

Hope that helps.

Maybe next time invest in some moisture absorbing crystals from an electrical store. (I keep all mine from most electrical gizmo's I buy).

I routinely wash my helmets (on the road and at home) . I just use hair shampoo. it removes all the grease and odor. Drip dry.
Works well and is always available at home and on the road.

maxB (who sweats a lot.)

I've been routinely wearing helmet liners since the early 90's. I usually wear a Silky Comfort Liner, or a HJC Coolmax Liner. Wearing one won't win you any style awards but all the perspiration, loose hairs and odour is absorbed by the liner, and your helmet will never smell like a gorillas armpit.

It's a lot easier to rinse out a helmet liner that prat about trying to the helmet inner liner out, wash it, dry it, and try and get it back into position inside the helmet.

before you throw it away i would soak it in 10% bleach and 90% water

Craig, I have been selling cars & trucks for ever....lots of odors to get rid of. Try putting the helmet in a (open) paper bag in the garage with 2 Bounce dryer sheets inside the helmet for a few days. Should work wonders. Hope this helps. J.R.