Gas/oil smell from new helmet - Fix

[Cabreco]

I don't know if anyone else has ever experienced this problem but, I bought a cheapy backup helmet and when it arrived it smelled to high hell like gas or diesel. It was so bad that the room I left it in when I opened the box stunk out in a few hours.

I tried doing Fabreeze and only got perfumemy smelling fuel smell. So next I did a helmet wash. Since the inside pads are not removable, I filled a sink with laundry detergent & shampoo and washed it out. After rinsing & letting it semi dry overnight, it was much better (it didn't stink out the room) but when you put it on (it's a full face) it was like auto painting in a badlventilateded room!

Today I decided to make a 2 part water 1 part white distilled vinegar solution & clean it. Using a soft cloth I wet the padding & wiped it down. Wringing the excess out, I next use a solution of water & baking soda to wipe it down. Again wringing it out, I finished by using a ShamWow to soak up any excess from the pads & semi dry it. Then let it air dAbsolutelyolutly no smell now exists. I figured I would share this as I'm sure this would also work for "Helmet Funk" from sweat.  

[TOOLS1]

I put them in the dishwasher. Works on many motorcycle related items/parts
TOOLS

[Cabreco]

TOOLS1 wrote

I put them in the dishwasher. Works on many motorcycle related items/parts
TOOLS

I spoke too soon. it seems some of the plastics are "off gassing".
She still has a whiff but not as bad. Gonna try the dishwasher next.
 
I shudda returned it but since I now have washed it, I'm stuck with it.
Currently its drying hanging from a bungee cord inside my gazeebo. Maybe a few days outdoors will fix it.

[Cabreco]

Well, I let it "air out" for a week & it still stinks. I dumped a box baking soda in it & wrapped it in a plastic bag for a few days....& it STILL wreaked!

So i vacuumed it up, no change. I took Tools1's suggestion & put it in the dishwasher.  Hell I got so fed up even used dishwashing liquid.

So yes it still has a smell, but it's getting better. I'm airing it out again & I'm letting it dry.
What a PITA!

[Re-run]

What brand of helmet was this? I want to make sure I dont get one!

[Cabreco]

It's one of those TMS helmets. I have 3 of them and only this one has the issue, so I can't say it's the brand.

I guess lesson learned here is if it doesn't smell right right out of the box, send it back!

[Re-run]

How have those helmets worked for you? I looked at those but I have been debating the headcase helmets found on ebay.

[Cabreco]

Re-run wrote

How have those helmets worked for you? I looked at those but I have been debating the headcase helmets found on ebay.

So far no problems (although I haven't had a wreck) . They are DOT approved but not Snell rated. They feel solid enough. Compared to her Shoei RJ Air Platinum the most obvious difference that I see is the strap & rings. The Shoei has a thicker strap (it feels beefier), and the rings are heavier rounded vs flat. I'm sure the protection is better, but overall I see nothing wrong with them.

I would avoid ebay seller gold3288gold as they were no help in resolving the issue. This was their "suggestion":

Hi, we are sorry to hear about this. You can try to use the perfume to see if the helmet will get better. You can either go to HomeDepot to ask those staffs to see if they can help you with that.

[Re-run]

Yeah, that is not much help at all.
I dont worry much about snell ratings. I prefer to look for the ece ratings.
It is a euro standard that requires a helmet from every batch to be tested for compliance. Snell and dot do not have that requirement.

[TOOLS1]

You know, I have been thinking about this, and this is what I would do! I would put some old shrimp, or fish in the helmet. then let it sit in the sun, for a few days. Then I would put it in a box, and wrap the box with plastic, and then brown paper. I would then send it back to the seller.
TOOLS

[Cabreco]

TOOLS1 wrote

You know, I have been thinking about this, and this is what I would do! I would put some old shrimp, or fish in the helmet. then let it sit in the sun, for a few days. Then I would put it in a box, and wrap the box with plastic, and then brown paper. I would then send it back to the seller.
TOOLS

Damn Tools, remind me never to piss you off!

For the followup:
Ok the dishwasher worked!
I used diswashing liquid & let it air out in the sun for  a few days
No more smell.

Lesson learned though.