Helmet storage, in a damp garage. Contains mould…

Gotta keep your helmets indoors. You wouldn't chuck a sweaty t shirt in the garage and expect it to be fresh when you next pick it up.

I don’t usually put them away sweaty. Always try to dry them in the kitchen before storage but it’s the damp in the garage, the pads must act like sponges!

I’ve started keeping my helmets indoors for that reason.

I also get some mould on my saddle but only my leather brooks ones not the other standard plastic ones.

keeping in the box with the silica pads is a good idea, I do 3d printing and that’s a standard way to keep the filament in good condition. I got some from Amazon that change colour when they get too saturated and can be regenerated in the microwave.

Probably. Once sweated and salty the pads will attract moisture...maybe. Nowhere inside at all to keep them?

Absolutely no room in the house for 3 helmets? If really not, then a large plastic box with moisture crystals or plenty sachets of that silicon stuff (probably isn't silicon but I don't know the name) to draw all the moisture out the helmets.
Pads probably need a serious hot wash to clean them up as well.

Could something else live in the garage in a sealed box /bag that is more durable and the helmets live in that space?

Crockery to liberate a kitchen cupboard… or winter/summer clothes and alternate.

Find a space in the house! On top of the wardrobe. Clip it on the outside of the stairs bannisters!

You can get dehumidifier pots from Tesco for a couple of quid which would be suitable to throw in your plastic lidded box.

I'd still try and find room indoors for preference though.

Find something else in the house that can be stored in the garage then keep the helmets in that space you just created.

I have this exact problem and the (drastic!) solution is going to be re-sealing the roof, anti-condensation paint on the inside of the roof, damp-proofing the floor, insulating the walls and roof and boarding the whole thing out. Bit excessive but I'm fed up of having a damp garage that makes everything mouldy!

Our garage was a bit damp inspite of having no leaks.
We had an air brick on each side wall. This seems to have cured the problem.

When my helmet is sweaty I place it close to the garage door so it will get some fresh air to help dry and keep air circulating around it.

When I realised my helmets were going manky in my old garage, I made room for them inside.

But I also ran a dehumidifier to stop the rags and stuff going manky too. And to stop the bikes rusting after they'd had a wash.

I usually hang mine on the washing line when I get back from a ride to either dry, or get a wash in the rain then dry. Then hang them in the garage. They are usually fine but have got a bit damp when its been really wet outside for ages.

I might put a couple of air brick in though to aid ventilation.

My garage has this issue discovered my wife's work chair that got put out there over the summer has got covered in mould and the camp chairs are going similar - though strangely my riding shoes don't seem to be effected.

Strong chance your riding shoes are the source! 😉

Can you just take the pads out and keep them inside if you're that stuck for space?

Also, more air flow is probably wiser than less. The only helmet I've ever had a problem with lived in it's bag on a shelf, baged and boxed is probably as much of the problem as the damp in general.

Dehumidifier - don't have to run it all the time, but ours pulls out tonnes of moisture from the garage.

I've got a problem with damp in a single skin storage shed. It's next to the summer house (shed of similar construction) but I insulated and ply lined that, and it's dry as a bone in there, and no condensation. I don't fancy the expense for the shed,

You've either got to insulate, or get more air flow. I've been fitting vents to the storage shed today to reduce the condensation.

Hand them up from hooks on the ceiling, say above a door.

I’ve been fitting vents to the storage shed today to reduce the condensation.

what sort of vents

also have a damp single skin brick garage

You could get some airbricks installed.

Dehumidifier post ride, every ride. And dry boots/shoes in the house.

Kimbers: We got some Airbricks from Screwfix £2.29 each.
We fitted 4, 2 at each end. Solved our damp garage issues. We eventually insulated the roof too (as it caused massive temperature swings throughout the year).

Curveball. I store my damp boots in the car. Aircon is great at drying things.

Just steel air vents from Screwfix,, just cut holes in the shed. £1.99 each.

Tricky in winter as outside air will be getting on for 100% humidity and mould will grow >80%. I'd keep them inside, but if that's not an option then you can either heat or dehumidify. If theres no additional sources of moisture, heating the air will effectively reduce the RH, doesn't have to be much, even keeping it 15°c should be enough. Leaks/damp/pooling water will contribute to higher RH, so best to sort those too.

Threads like this make me glad I didn't waste my time and money insulating my wooden shed. Big gaps under eaves, and gaps in floorboards. Gets a bit chilly but no mould problems. 5C this evening. Vice had moisture on it the other week when damper and colder, might be a bit of a problem for metals, but doesn't stay that cold & damp for too long down South.