Techniques for Cleaning Caving Helmets

[Brian Roebuck]

I just slicked up my Petzl Ecrin to make it presentable after caving with it on and off for a couple years without much in the way of cleaning it. I used some Dawn dishwashing detergent to clean the grunge off the chin straps (hey they are a nice gray color - not brown!) as well as the white shell. A soft sponge/scrubber pad helped loosen a lot of the dirt on the shell while working the detergent directly into wet chin strap material got most of the crud out of it. I thought about pressure washing it as well but have not had to try that yet. It cleaned up very nicely using my hand washing techniques so far. As they age they do get harder to keep clean though. I heard of one caver that uses armor-all to keep it clean and shiny. Maybe waxing them is an option.

Who has other cleaning or protection techniques to offer?

[Rick Brinkman]

The pressure washer doesn't work very well. It just throws the helmet around.

Last fall I tried something that was recommended to me on the "other" caving site. Just put it in the dishwasher. Looked like new again and didn't take my stickers off.

[Brian Roebuck]

Hey - neat idea! Only one problem. One must convince ones spouse that this is a good thing to do before doing it! ;D

Hmm now I know what to do with that old spare dishwasher I have. It can be a vertical gear cleaning machine! I bet it even cleans ropes (smaller coils anyhow). Cool.

[L Roebuck]

Wet caves work wonders for keeping your caving helmet clean!

[Rick Brinkman]

Yeah, well I don't have a dishwasher so I had to 'borrow' Mom's.... She didn't mind TOO much.

[Sharon Faulkner]

For the most part I just rinse the mud/dirt off with the water hose. When the chin strap and inner lining starts getting that sweaty smell I use the Beaner method of a little scrubing with dish washing detergent in the sink or tub to remove the odor. This has worked fine for me so far.

[Robert Sewell]

drbeaner said:

Hey - neat idea! Only one problem. One must convince ones spouse that this is a good thing to do before doing it! ;D

Nah, one just has to wait until said spouse is out of the house running errands. That's how I manage to use the cloths washer to clean my overalls (after a preliminary hosing, of course).

But really, clean your helmet? Who wants a clean helmet? Real cavers don't wear clean helmets. It makes you look like a couch caver! ;D

[Brian Roebuck]

Robert I take it that you have never posed for cave photos? :-)

Actually the internal straps etc were the most offensive portion and ground dirt into my chin when I wore it. Now it is sparkly clean for a few more trips.

[Rick Brinkman]

"But really, clean your helmet? Who wants a clean helmet? Real cavers don't wear clean helmets. It makes you look like a couch caver!"

I regularly clean ALL my gear. I believe that clean gear lasts longer and is safer. This stuff costs too much not to take care of.

And yes, I have been told more than once that I look too clean.

[L Roebuck]

rsewell said:

But really, clean your helmet? Who wants a clean helmet? Real cavers don't wear clean helmets. It makes you look like a couch caver! ;D

I always understood cavers should always wash cave gear after every visit to a cave - because clean caving gear helps to avoid introducing foreign organisms into the next cave.

Yup - that applies to caving helmets too.

[Brian Roebuck]

For head protection a clean helmet allows you to see if damage has occured to the unit as well. seeing that your head is very vulnerable to damage while caving this makes sense. As they say, "How much is YOUR head worth?"

Get out that scrub brush....... ;D

[Robert Sewell]

drbeaner said:

Robert I take it that you have never posed for cave photos? :-)

Sure, I've posed for cave pics. You can't identify me for all the mud on my helmet, but... LOL

[Robert Sewell]

pretzlgirl said:

I always understood cavers should always wash cave gear after every visit to a cave - because clean caving gear helps to avoid introducing foreign organisms into the next cave.

Yup - that applies to caving helmets too.

Well, sure. I clean all my gear, or at the very least I hose it off. And I do knock off all excess mud from my helmet.

Yes, we certainly should avoid contaminating a cave. But it seems that you introduce more contaminants to the cave from whatever your boots pick up during the hike to the cave than from leftover, dried mud on your helmet. Your boots are guaranteed to touch the cave, while your helmet rarely will (except the occasional clash with the ceiling, of course).

[Brian Roebuck]

Well my helmet always makes intimate contact with the cave! I employ the Buffoon style of caving where nearly all surfaces come in contact with the cave. It evenly distributes the abuse over my entire body instead of concentrating it all in one place!

Now be a good boy and go wash your helmet! ;D ;D ;D

[L Roebuck]

rsewell said:

pretzlgirl said:

I always understood cavers should always wash cave gear after every visit to a cave - because clean caving gear helps to avoid introducing foreign organisms into the next cave.

Yup - that applies to caving helmets too.

Well, sure. I clean all my gear, or at the very least I hose it off. And I do knock off all excess mud from my helmet.

Yes, we certainly should avoid contaminating a cave. But it seems that you introduce more contaminants to the cave from whatever your boots pick up during the hike to the cave than from leftover, dried mud on your helmet. Your boots are guaranteed to touch the cave, while your helmet rarely will (except the occasional clash with the ceiling, of course).

Ok, just so you know I'm not 'yanking your chain' -- here's a cut and paste from the Cave Conservation Division website: caves.org/committee/conservation/

MINIMUM IMPACT CAVING CODE
Hildreth-Werker 2/00, 8/02 [e-mail]

This code of ethics encourages practices that minimize negative impacts to caves. As we learn more about cave environments, we evaluate and redefine caver ethics. This code describes low-impact caving techniques that come from the experiences and contributions of many cavers. Think safety, take care of yourself and your team. Move with stewardship. Avoid damaging aesthetic, cultural, paleontological, geological, hydrological, biological, as well as microbial resources. Cave softly … and leave no trace.

1 Packs, vertical gear, boots, aqua socks, gloves, helmets, and lint-free clothing, should be freshly washed to avoid transfer of microbes from other environments.
2 Use only non-marring/non-marking soles. Soles should not leave marks on cave surfaces. Cave-friendly soles can be either light or dark colored. No heavy waffle-stompers. No black Vibram™ soles. Strike the sole across limestone or concrete to determine whether it is safe for cave surfaces.
3 Use soft or padded cave packs. Avoid hard-edged boxes. Choose gear that is smaller, lighter, and more compact.
4 Always spot each other in fragile areas. Spot the feet, too.
5 Don't disturb bats or other cave dwellers.
6 Many critters and insects make their homes in caves and play active roles in the ecology of cave systems. Look before you step and avoid disturbing habitat.
7 Wear gloves. Check your gloves for mud, dirt, and holes to avoid extra impact.
8 Rather than grabbing handholds along the trail, use a gloved knuckle for balance where possible.
9 Pack in clean gloves for use in pristine sections and for restoration. Powder-free, non-latex surgical gloves are recommended.
10 Carry freshly washed flowstone shoes--lightweight, lint-free, soft-soled aqua-socks or water sports booties. Check and clean mud from flowstone shoes frequently. Take along a plastic bag to carry dirty boots.
11 Know where clean clothes, shoes, and gear are required. To help keep pristine passages clean, avoid wearing general caving attire in these areas. (Tyvek suits for painters or clean rooms pack well and are washable).
12 Avoid isolated pools. Tens of thousands of skin fragments and debris fall from each of our bodies every minute.
13 Do not comb or brush hair in the cave. Avoid scratching hair and skin. Develop caving practices that will reduce the input of organic carbons.
14 No smoking or use of tobacco in caves.
15 Remove all solid and liquid wastes. Carry an emergency pee bottle and burrito kit. Carry urine, feces, spit, vomit, etc. out of the cave.
16 Avoid dropping crumbs and food particles. Eat over a plastic bag. Carry out crumbs and debris. Do not eat on the move.
17 Stay on established trails. Do not impact the cave beyond well-established trails. Sit inside the trails. Be careful not to set packs outside the trails. Always look for and use the most impacted areas when stopping. Photographers and photo gear should also remain within impacted trails.
18 Rather than retracing footprints and handprints, gently erase and restore.
19 Move carefully through the entire cave. Move gently through delicate areas. Move slowly enough to avoid kicking up dust.
20 Don't lean on walls, ceilings, or formations. Don't sit on formations. Touch as little as possible. Use small points of contact for balance rather than dirty open palms.
21 Avoid touching anything you don't have to touch when moving through a cave.
22 Be willing to point out unsafe or damaging behavior. It is every caver's responsibility to ensure that cave environments remain as pristine as possible and that every team member is safe.

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[tncaveres]

I clean all my gear after every trip . My Vertical gear for sure. The helmet gets a dose of water from the hose & that is aboout it.

Like Robert said, Don't want my helmet to look to clean because I might be mistaken for a newbie.

I guess wearing a clean white helmet is not as much of a newbie givaway as wearing jewelry in a cave. ;D Like some we know.

[Brian Roebuck]

Heh, at my age being mistaken for a newbie would be a good thing! Seriously though the shredded knee pads, blown out caving suit bottoms, and worn out gloves are a dead giveaway to my years of caving buffoonery!