Moldy helmet cleaning?

[4horses]

How do you get rid of mold in a helmet? My brand new helmet was left in the horse trailer in a tub. It smells moldy even after cleaning the liner. Is there something I could soak it in? White vinegar? I wiped it with lysol but that didn’t help that much.

Would putting a cooler in the trailer help prevent mold? The plastic tubs don’t work that well. I know if i pull my helmet out each time i ride, i will probably forget to bring it.

Would putting the helmet in the refrigerator or freezer help kill the mold?

[DMK]

I would probably just give up on this problem because the mold spores are just tenacious things and I could live without knowingly putting them all over my head (yeah, I’m sure some get there all. the. time. But I can maintain plausible deniability so it’s all good).

If it is a removable liner schooling type, I suppose soaking it in vinegar is your bet. If it is not, I got nothing. However when you give up and buy a new helmet, I would suggest putting some damp rid in the trailer and not putting the helmet “in” anything, just hanging it up (I used to leave my older helmet hanging in there for trail rides and it never got moldy, but it was an ovation schooling helmet so not much to get moldy!)

[4horses]

Actually I think it might be the straps that molded. I’m going to try cleaning them and see if that fixes the problem.

[jonem004]

I hate this for you, but be careful what you clean with. Anything that breaks down the fibers or damages the finish could compromise your safety. Good luck!

[Mouse_amp_Bay]

Random suggestion for you … white lightning produces a gas that kills fungus in white line disease. You need to mix it with vinegar for this to take place (instructions should be online somewhere). If you are committed to saving your helmet, I would see if you could fit it on some sort of rack or in a bucket. Carefully pour the white lightning below and cover with a plastic bag to allow fumes to do their work. If you really love the helmet this might be a solution ?

Report back if you try it! Because it doesn’t come into contact with the liquid, I think this could work for you without damaging the helmet.

More info: https://www.hoofgeeks.ca/trimming-tools-and-hoof-care/white-lightning-thrush-treatment

[4horses]

That is brilliant! If cleaning the straps doesn’t work i will definitely try that.

[OTTBs]

Any luck yet? I was wondering if leaving it in sunshine for a while would kill the mold and the smell.

[DinkyDonk]

I would try Odo-Ban; it’s a disinfectant/deodorizer. I use it in my shed to get rid of ammonia smell in the spaces between the rubber mats and wet pee spots on the mats–does a fantastic job. It has not damaged the rubber mats after many years of using it on them.

[bluepece2]

Remember that this is supposed to protect your head. Throwing chemicals at it will degrade the materials and can cause it to not preform when needed. at this point in the game a new helmet may be the best option.
to present it from happening to a new helmet store it with something that keeps humidity out, you can buy bags of silica gell. I’d toss a big one in the container you put your helmet in.

[2tempe]

I have a Charles Owen with the fuzzy outside. The whole thing got gross from Florida heat/humidity. I bought a cheaper helmet for schooling (ovation) that I can rinse out as needed. Took the CO home soaked it in hot water/Dawn dish soap for a while. Scrubbed with a gentle brush. Sat in sun to dry, and it was fine, good as new. . Now keep it at home, only use for shows. Do not leave it in the trailer.

[ParadoxFarm]

Spray it with Lysol. I spritz mine after every ride. Have for years with no issues and it knocks out any odors by killing bacteria. Maybe it will do the same with the moldy smell.