June 16th, 2022 by Sarah Miles

Your bike can represent anything from a weekend hobby to a serious sport or mode of transport to work so it’s important to look after it well, and that means keeping it clean. Cleaning it not only keeps all the moving parts working (and therefore, safe), but will protect it from developing rust or seizing up. Remember, this is also an opportunity to inspect your bike for signs of wear and damage, which could not only allow you to deal with things before they become a bigger problem but help to avoid mishaps and accidents when riding it.

Here are 10 top tips for cleaning your bike

Use a bike stand

It’s much easier to clean your bike if it is freestanding so a bike stand is ideal. It just means you can elevate it off the floor and move around it easily. It also gives you the use of both hands, not having to hold it up yourself. If you don’t have a bike stand, you may be able to hook the nose of the saddle over a clothesline, but make sure it’s secure as knocking it over could cause damage. 

Remove the wheels

You can do a more thorough job if you remove the wheels first. Use a chain keeper tool (you can buy them for just a few pounds) to maintain the tension on the drivetrain and prevent it from folding in on itself.

Start with the dirtiest areas

Most of the grease, dirt, and grime will accumulate around the drivetrain and chain so start with these areas first so that you’re not transferring dirt to other areas you have already cleaned.

Use a degreaser on the chain

This will clear out all the gunky grease as well as dirt that has accumulated. Turn the cranks backwards and go over each link.

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Use a toothbrush!

A standard toothbrush is really good for getting into small areas, especially on the drivetrain. The bristles are soft enough to not cause any damage but stiff enough to get into the tiny spaces.

You can use a pressure washer – but be careful

You can use a pressure washer for applying snow foam (a car pre-wash treatment that can also be used on bikes) but keep a good distance and don’t use one for rinsing with water as the high pressure can force water into bearings and damage them. Snow foam is great if your bike is especially dirty as it grabs the dirt and allows it to be rinsed away before you even start with any contact cleaning (thus reducing the risk of scratching the paintwork with dirt particles). Just remember to use a pH-neutral product and make sure the bike is dry before starting, otherwise, it won’t cling as it needs to.

Use a Shampoo designed for Bikes

Alternatively, you can use a shampoo specifically designed for use on bikes, such as the Pro-Kleen Mud Free Bike Cleaner. It doesn’t contain any harsh chemicals or foaming agents so it will not cause damage to the more sensitive areas of your bike, while still effectively removing dirt, grime and grease. Simply spray it on your bike leave for 3-5 minutes and then rinse.  

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Use two buckets

It’s a good idea to have two buckets of water ready when you start cleaning. Use one for rinsing dirty brushes and cloths and one for rinsing the bike itself. It means you’re not pouring any of the dirt you have just removed back onto the bike.

Dry off once finished

Once your bike is sparkling and clean, make sure you dry it off with a soft cloth (a microfibre cloth is usually best as it’s so absorbent). Focus on removing traces of moisture in small areas that could potentially lead to rust. While it’s good to get rid of the dirty grease that has built up in the drivetrain and chain, remember that these areas will seize up if not sufficiently lubricated. Once you have applied the lubricant, wipe any excess product from other areas of the bike.