Stinky helmet

ctree · Aug 28, 2015

We have Kask helmets that we wear with the ropetek comm. system. Love them both but man do the helmets get smelly. What are people doing about the sweatbands? My petzl helmet has a foam head band and never stinks. Any tips?

NE Tree · Aug 28, 2015

You can remove and wash them. They're velcro'd in. Mine's about due for a cleansing

oldoakman · Aug 28, 2015

I wear a halo skull cap or a tree stuff buff under them and it seems to help a bit. Sweat still gets through, but scalp/hair oil is kept to a minimum.

Simpleiowaguy · Aug 28, 2015

Break them down and throw your helet in the dishwasher.

oldoakman · Aug 28, 2015

Simpleiowaguy said:
Break them down and throw your helet in the dishwasher.

Don't let it go through the dry cycle though, let it air dry.

GregManning · Aug 28, 2015

There was another lengthy thread on this topic a year or so ago.

Simpleiowaguy · Aug 28, 2015

oldoakman said:
Don't let it go through the dry cycle though, let it air dry.

Yeah forgot to say that. Thanks

Tom Dunlap · Aug 28, 2015

And...if you use the dishwasher set it to the coolest water cycle. Be very cautious doing this. Some dishwashers have internal water heaters to raise the temp of house water. High heat can damage the helmet

TreeLogic · Aug 28, 2015

Tom Dunlap said:
And...if you use the dishwasher set it to the coolest water cycle. Be very cautious doing this. Some dishwashers have internal water heaters to raise the temp of house water. High heat can damage the helmet

You know Tom, that's something I've always been curious about. So they (some) have their own water heaters, and not just the heating elements used for drying? I tried to look it up once and didn't have much luck. My hunch is that the elements would be the biggest enemy, and that any hot water the dishwasher produced would be something most plastics could handle OK. But please elaborate if you have more info. Thanks.

GregManning · Aug 28, 2015

My dishwasher has settings that heat the water to different ranges: from 85-104°F (Delicate); 130-160 (Normal - Heavy); 140-170°F (Pots, Pans, Sanitize).
I'm sure these must be bulk temperatures, after mixing.

PVC pipe is only rated to 140°F.
ABS pipe is rated to 160°F.
Polypropylene is rated to 180°F.

Helmets are thinner than pipe.

With manufacturing tolerances, ageing of dishwasher components, etc,. you may want to make a couple test runs with a digital cooking thermometer (using a thin wire cable to a digital display).