Grubby, insanitary riding hat - how to clean?

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Rose Folly

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It was like midsummer round here yesterday. Friend and I came home from riding, peered into our horrible sweaty hats, and both admitted we had NEVER cleaned them, nor had any idea of how to do so.

Please, some advice! We wondered about just putting the hat in warm water with a gentle detergent; or sponging with soapy water? It's the inside band that must be gross. Then we thought that might shrink the lining.

So, all you immaculate riders, convert us to cleanliness. My friend remarked meditatively as she walked away "I could grow mushrooms in mine!"
 
Red Rum make a hat deodoriser!

Just dry them naturally (no heaters)

I replace mine annually so no deep smells!!! Or mushrooms lol!
 
TBH, if its really manky it might be time for a new hat - as unless you've looked after it perfectly, its probably not as good at protecting your noggin as it should be - I need to get a new one at the minute - not because mine's broken, but because it must be about 4 years old :o

Those dryer sheets that you put in to make your washing smell nice are supposed to be good to leave in between uses :)
 
Scrub with fairly liquid and water, rinse, leave to dry for about three weeks. I got sick of drying time, so now I wear a buff under my hat - keeps it clean, keeps my ears warm and it's easy to wash!
 
Baby shampoo.

Damp the headband lining with a sponge, then rub a small amount of baby shampoo into it.
Work in well with damp sponge & then lightly rinse also using the sponge.
Pop in airing cupboard on a towel to dry off overnight. The greenbacked 'scourer type' sponges are pretty good for doing this.

So many people wash hair daily & use products like hairspray, gel or mousse - then don't bother to clean hats when they wear them week in week out. (not a pop at you OP, just a general grenade :D ).


Just the thought of a gunky/old hairproduct/filth filled helmet/hat makes my eyers water :o

At least the top quality motorbike helmets have removeable linings which you can pop in the washing machine.
 
You can get hat liners that are disposable that absorb the grime. To be honest, they're almost exactly the same as panty liners but of course much more expensive in comparison.

I'm not ashamed to say I now have a box of Bodyform ultra thin in my tack box and a clean smelling head every time :D

Think it was someone else on here that I pinched the idea from.
 
thistledonicely said:
You can get hat liners that are disposable that absorb the grime. To be honest, they're almost exactly the same as panty liners but of course much more expensive in comparison.

I'm not ashamed to say I now have a box of Bodyform ultra thin in my tack box and a clean smelling head every time :D

Think it was someone else on here that I pinched the idea from.
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That's a really good idea. I need to buy a new hat before I break in my youngster I may do that then.

However my head does tend to mark easily, don't think I walk around with a panty liner outline in the middle of my forehead.:eek::eek::eek::eek:

Will test when no one is around
 
thistledonicely said:
You can get hat liners that are disposable that absorb the grime. To be honest, they're almost exactly the same as panty liners but of course much more expensive in comparison.

I'm not ashamed to say I now have a box of Bodyform ultra thin in my tack box and a clean smelling head every time :D

Think it was someone else on here that I pinched the idea from.
Click to expand...

Hahaha brilliant!
 
thistledonicely said:
You can get hat liners that are disposable that absorb the grime. To be honest, they're almost exactly the same as panty liners but of course much more expensive in comparison.

I'm not ashamed to say I now have a box of Bodyform ultra thin in my tack box and a clean smelling head every time :D

Think it was someone else on here that I pinched the idea from.
Click to expand...

Pishing myself here...... at the thought of a fella perhaps removing your hat in an unlikely event of you maybe having a tumble..... I can just hear it now:

"Oy, boss, this 'ere burd is wearing panty-liners in her hat, I think she needs sectioning rather than x-raying, as she's wearing it on the wrong end" :D
 
My Troxel helmet (everyday hat) has a removable lining. Only wash it every few months or so when I remember, but can't understand why other types don't follow Troxel's example. So simple to remove, wash, replace.
 
thistledonicely said:
You can get hat liners that are disposable that absorb the grime. To be honest, they're almost exactly the same as panty liners but of course much more expensive in comparison.

I'm not ashamed to say I now have a box of Bodyform ultra thin in my tack box and a clean smelling head every time :D

Think it was someone else on here that I pinched the idea from.
Click to expand...

My Charles Owen Ventura has removable bands .

A male rider used panty liners at our RC Festival Show unfortunately when he took off his hat coming out of the ring one remained stuck to his balding head and he walked away wearing a panty liner on his head :eek:
 
The Fuzzy Furry said:
Pishing myself here...... at the thought of a fella perhaps removing your hat in an unlikely event of you maybe having a tumble..... I can just hear it now:

"Oy, boss, this 'ere burd is wearing panty-liners in her hat, I think she needs sectioning rather than x-raying, as she's wearing it on the wrong end" :D
Click to expand...

Hahahahaha! That just made my day! XD
 
rambling said:
My Charles Owen Ventura has removable bands .

A male rider used panty liners at our RC Festival Show unfortunately when he took off his hat coming out of the ring one remained stuck to his balding head and he walked away wearing a panty liner on his head :eek:
Click to expand...

Oh dear... bet he felt a right f**ny?! :p
 
Thanks for all the tips. I shall be as 'fragrant' as Mary Archer from now on!!! You've certainly given me something other than Welsh Rugby to think of this weekend. Didn't know people like Charles Owen made proprietary cleaners.
 
minkymoo said:
Why can't they do this with riding hats then? Just a thought... :)
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Would be handy :)

Mind you, a decent bike helmet is anything from £250 upwards - a good Arai RX7 is about £400 +/-

When competing, if the helmet goes down you need to have it checked - and if the scrutineers think its damaged then you are banned from wearing it again.
They will even cut the strap on occasions.
Also for competing helmets must adhere to ACU gold std & be no more than 5 yrs old (all makers stamp date just inside or on the under-chin strap)
 
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