I am allergic to something on my new helmet chin strap. Whenever I wear it, I get contact dermatitis that I do NOT get with my old helmet. What is the best detergent to wash the straps?
How to wash helmet straps?
- Thread starter Fordiesel69
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Edit, look into Tide Free & Gentle
Are you looking for that new helmet smell???
I dunk my skid lid in a bucket of warm water and mild laundry detergent soap...
I hand agitate the liner until all the sweat and oils are removed...
I fill and rise the inside of the helmet with warm water to remove all the soap...
I towel the inside to soak up the water and then let it air dry for 2 days out in the sun...
Just look at the dirty water now my funky skid lid smells new again...
I dunk my skid lid in a bucket of warm water and mild laundry detergent soap...
I hand agitate the liner until all the sweat and oils are removed...
I fill and rise the inside of the helmet with warm water to remove all the soap...
I towel the inside to soak up the water and then let it air dry for 2 days out in the sun...
Just look at the dirty water now my funky skid lid smells new again...
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- Mar 20, 2025
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Are you talking about the strap, or the covers that go over the straps on each side?
If it’s the strap rubbing on your neck that’s causing this, then spot clean it with a soap that you know won’t make you break out. But also keep in mind that it could be skin irritation from the contact or rubbing of the strap on your skin, not chemicals on it.
If it’s the strap covers on each side, they should be removable and machine washable.
If it’s the strap rubbing on your neck that’s causing this, then spot clean it with a soap that you know won’t make you break out. But also keep in mind that it could be skin irritation from the contact or rubbing of the strap on your skin, not chemicals on it.
If it’s the strap covers on each side, they should be removable and machine washable.
No its the nylon seat belt like material that is rivited inside the helmet. I was not able to get it off.
The old helmet strap does not do this so it must be some kind of coating from the factory.
The old helmet strap does not do this so it must be some kind of coating from the factory.
I typically remove the pads and wash them separately by hand. Haven't heard of dunking the whole helmet, upside down allowing water in places it was not meant to be. To each his own success, though.
It rains on a house and the water runs off the roof, turn the house upside down and it gets everywhere it shouldn't. Helmets and houses aren't meant to function upside down.
It rains on a house and the water runs off the roof, turn the house upside down and it gets everywhere it shouldn't. Helmets and houses aren't meant to function upside down.
I did the helmet dunk thing with old helmets that didn't have removable pads. Now I just pop the pads out and wash them. Any decent modern helmet that's not years out of date has removable pads.
I remember those helmets from 30 years ago, I think mine just stunk. Lol. If they wouldn't come out there it wasn't another way to do it.
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For a really mild soap, that can be used for just about anything, and is low-sudsing, try this:
https://www.rei.com/product/799980/sea-to-summit-wilderness-wash-soap
I actually carry a 2.5 oz bottle of it in my 1 quart bag, just in case I need it for a shower, or to wash clothes in a pinch while traveling.
https://www.rei.com/product/799980/sea-to-summit-wilderness-wash-soap
I actually carry a 2.5 oz bottle of it in my 1 quart bag, just in case I need it for a shower, or to wash clothes in a pinch while traveling.
4WD
$50 site donor 2025
Woolite is also mild …
Helmet manufactures take into account that the human body sweats water vapor as a primary mechanism for regulating body temperature. When the body heats up, sweat glands release a watery fluid (sweat) onto the skin. This sweat then evaporates, taking heat away from the body and cooling it down. Our heads keep cool and our helmets survive with this process we know as evaporate cooling...
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Even the official Arai video on how to clean the helmet shows dunking it in water.
For lots of things like this, I just use hot water from the kitchen sink along with a little Dawn dish soap. Soak it good and work it in. It always takes grease and whatever else away.
Bath tub and laundry detergent
There ya' go, if Arai says it's ok, it'll work across the board, IMO. Pardon my earlier house and roof analogy...
