Cleaning stanky helmet

Personally, I wouldn't worry about it.

But then again, I go by the 60 minute floor rule !

Plus, your dirty dishes have been sitting in the washer for several (?) days ?

Helmet stickers & lables could come loose & glog the dish washer ! ! !
 
Well, dishwasher did a good job. Better than expected. And only hardhats were in there, no dishes. Now i gotta run the dishes though.

Greg, my wife would be on me so fast if dirty dishes stayed in there for more than a day! And with all the kids in here (including me) it's a daily ritual anyway.

Thanks again for the chemistry lesson. I'm much more receptive to those lessons now than I was in high school or college so any time you want to teach, I'm listening.

Stickers and labels are fine with a normal wash, no heat dry.
 
Greg, you got me thinking. You're in the mindset of a chemist, but sometimes physics plays a part too. You said the vinegar would neutralize the baking soda and not be effective. However, I've read you can use the two to clear stopped up drains. And then there's scrubbing bubbles, where the foam plays a part. You don't think the foaming action would help?
 
Good thinking !

However ............

The reaction of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) & vinegar releases carbon dioxide (CO2) gas.
e.g. if you have heartburn & drink a solution of water + baking soda, it neutralizes the stomach acid (HCl), & then you belch (CO2).

For this to have any physical effect in the helmet webbing or foam, I think it would still be a 2-step process. Soak the baking soda solution into the debris, then add the vinegar.
This is a very rapid reaction (seconds). Therefore, NOT a sustained physical “scrubbing”.
If you mix ahead of time, it’s over before it gets into the helmet.

I think the dishwasher approach is much better. This action is much stronger, much longer lasting, & uses warm water & detergent to loosen and remove the physical debris.
Add some baking soda for the odor, and you’ve got a new helmet.

I’ve use the dishwasher to clean baseball caps (retained in a plastic cap clamp).

There will be a “pop quiz” tomorrow morning.
 
Thank you sir. Understood. I'll send a check.
smile.gif
 
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