How To Clean A Bike? – Tell You How And Why

How To Clean A Bike? – Tell You How And Why

We understand how it feels to have just returned home after a strenuous climb over the hills, and all you want to do is grab some food and take a shower. However, it’s crucial to remember to clean your bike in the haste for nourishment and freshness.

If you don’t get to it right away, you probably won’t before the next time you go for a ride. This will start a vicious cycle that will only worsen into a climax of seizing parts, uncooperative gears, and squeaky brakes.

Fortunately, once you have a clear understanding of the process and the necessary tools, cleaning your bike properly can be done in just a few minutes. So without further ado, let’s discuss how to clean your bike.

Bike Wash Essentials

  • Water source: a bucket or garden hose. A jet wash/pressure washer can be used, and while the jury is out on whether it does force dirt past seals and reduce bearing or bushing life, it’s definitely best not to point it directly at bearing or suspension seals
  • Brushes. Several brands offer a ‘bike wash brush kit’ with brushes for various applications, but if you don’t have those, a couple of toothbrushes and an old dustpan brush will do
  • Chain cleaning device or a specific stiff-bristled toothbrush if you don’t have one
  • Chamois leather
  • Paper towel
  • Workstand
  • Bike wash fluid 
  • Degreaser
  • Bike wash fluid
  • Chain lube

What To Clean Your Bike?

By carefully wiping them with a damp or dry rag, most dirty bike parts can be cleaned. Other parts need to be relubricated, scrubbed and brushed on occasion.

The delicate bearing systems all over your bike may be harmed by high-pressure hose washing. Therefore, take care when rinsing off soap and dirt.

How To Clean Your Bike?

1. Rinse the frame down

Start by giving the frame a basic wipe. If you want to do this, use a sponge and a bucket of water or a hose; however, avoid using a high-pressure washer because it will force water into the bearings.

Before using more clean water and a soft-bristle brush to scrub the bike, spray it with a bike cleaning solution.

Avoid the temptation to use dishwashing liquid and a kitchen sponge in place of the soft brush and bike cleaning product because this can damage the frame’s finish and cause scratches.

2. Use a degreaser on the derailleurs and chain

After that, use a degreasing agent to spray the chain and derailleurs and scrub them thoroughly but gently. With the wheel still on the bike, you might find this to be the simplest option. If not, a chain-keeper will help maintain chain tension since you’ll need to remove the wheels later.

3. Use a degreaser on the cassette and chainrings

More degreaser should be sprayed on the chainrings and cassette, and they should be scrubbed. Get into the cassette cogs much easier by using a gear brush.

Use a chain cleaner if the chain still appears dirty: simply fill the unit with a degreaser, snap it on and rotate the pedal backward to feed the chain through. When you’re finished, safely dispose of the degreaser.

4. Clean the braking surface and pads

Regardless of the braking system you use, you should always clean your bike’s rims. It is crucial to thoroughly wash and wipe the braking surface of rim brakes before repeating the process with the pads, making sure there is no debris that may have become lodged there.

Verify that the cleaning agent you’re using can be used on disc brakes before using it on disc brakes. If yours isn’t, use a brake cleaner or some isopropyl alcohol to wipe down the rotors and spray on the brake pads. Some all-purpose bike cleaners are, but if yours isn’t, use a brake cleaner specifically designed for that purpose.

5. Rinse the frame, dry and lube the chain

Rinse the soap suds off the bike, dry the chain with an old rag and apply chain lube (opens in new tab)to the chain and the pivot points on the derailleurs.

Some Extra Bike Cleaning Tips

  • After cleaning your bike, using a professional polish can help prevent dirt from sticking and make it easier to wash your bike the following time. A household polish should not be used!
  • Examine your bicycle while you are cleaning it. Keep an eye out for any worn parts that might need to be replaced. The chain, brake pads, wheels, and tires should all be inspected. You can schedule a Free Bike Health Check at the Halfords store closest to you if you notice any problems or want a professional opinion on the condition of your bike.
  • By protecting your back while you clean your bike and preventing it from tipping over, a work stand can greatly simplify your life.
  • By using products specifically made for cleaning bikes, you’ll get the best result in the shortest amount of time.

Different Bikes, Different Strokes

The type of bike you’re cleaning might affect how you clean it, or at the very least, which areas you might need to pay particular attention to. Here is some advice for particular types.

Mountain Bikes

Mountain bikes almost certainly present a bigger cleaning challenge than other types of bikes because they frequently accumulate a lot more muck. Additionally, some unique considerations go into their particular design. Under the saddle and beneath the fork crown, both places where mud thrown up by the wheels tend to collect, are specific areas to clean.

Make sure the area is clean by giving the area directly below the bottom bracket a close inspection as well. Get a small brush and give the moving frame components, along with any related springs and shocks, a thorough cleaning if your bike has full suspension. Re-lubricate any moving parts after, just to be sure.

Touring, commuting, and hybrid bikes

The basic frames of touring, commuter, and hybrid bikes are typically fairly easy to clean; however, these types of bikes may also be equipped with mudguards, bottle cages, racks, or a variety of accessories. Mud can be removed from the inside of mudguards by firing a powerful jet of hose water up there.

If that doesn’t work, take the wheels off and quickly brush some bike cleaner along the inside of the mudguards. In the case of other accessories, you might discover that it makes sense to take them off so you can clean as much of the bike as possible. Just remember to put the bolts back in the mounting points of the accessories before cleaning to prevent water infiltration!

Road Bikes

Although road bikes are generally easy to use, you should take extra care when applying any lubricant near the rim brakes. Fitting some new bar tape is a finishing touch that will make you feel like you have a brand-new bike and will round out a successful wash.

We understand how it feels to have just returned home after a strenuous climb over the hills, and all you want to do is grab some food and take a shower. However, it’s crucial to remember to clean your bike in the haste for nourishment and freshness.

If you don’t get to it right away, you probably won’t before the next time you go for a ride. This will start a vicious cycle that will only worsen into a climax of seizing parts, uncooperative gears, and squeaky brakes.

Fortunately, once you have a clear understanding of the process and the necessary tools, cleaning your bike properly can be done in just a few minutes. So without further ado, let’s discuss how to clean your bike.

Bike Wash Essentials

  • Water source: a bucket or garden hose. A jet wash/pressure washer can be used, and while the jury is out on whether it does force dirt past seals and reduce bearing or bushing life, it’s definitely best not to point it directly at bearing or suspension seals
  • Brushes. Several brands offer a ‘bike wash brush kit’ with brushes for various applications, but if you don’t have those, a couple of toothbrushes and an old dustpan brush will do
  • Chain cleaning device or a specific stiff-bristled toothbrush if you don’t have one
  • Chamois leather
  • Paper towel
  • Workstand
  • Bike wash fluid 
  • Degreaser
  • Bike wash fluid
  • Chain lube

What To Clean Your Bike?

By carefully wiping them with a damp or dry rag, most dirty bike parts can be cleaned. Other parts need to be relubricated, scrubbed and brushed on occasion.

The delicate bearing systems all over your bike may be harmed by high-pressure hose washing. Therefore, take care when rinsing off soap and dirt.

How To Clean Your Bike?

1. Rinse the frame down

Start by giving the frame a basic wipe. If you want to do this, use a sponge and a bucket of water or a hose; however, avoid using a high-pressure washer because it will force water into the bearings.

Before using more clean water and a soft-bristle brush to scrub the bike, spray it with a bike cleaning solution.

Avoid the temptation to use dishwashing liquid and a kitchen sponge in place of the soft brush and bike cleaning product because this can damage the frame’s finish and cause scratches.

2. Use a degreaser on the derailleurs and chain

After that, use a degreasing agent to spray the chain and derailleurs and scrub them thoroughly but gently. With the wheel still on the bike, you might find this to be the simplest option. If not, a chain-keeper will help maintain chain tension since you’ll need to remove the wheels later.

3. Use a degreaser on the cassette and chainrings

More degreaser should be sprayed on the chainrings and cassette, and they should be scrubbed. Get into the cassette cogs much easier by using a gear brush.

Use a chain cleaner if the chain still appears dirty: simply fill the unit with a degreaser, snap it on and rotate the pedal backward to feed the chain through. When you’re finished, safely dispose of the degreaser.

4. Clean the braking surface and pads

Regardless of the braking system you use, you should always clean your bike’s rims. It is crucial to thoroughly wash and wipe the braking surface of rim brakes before repeating the process with the pads, making sure there is no debris that may have become lodged there.

Verify that the cleaning agent you’re using can be used on disc brakes before using it on disc brakes. If yours isn’t, use a brake cleaner or some isopropyl alcohol to wipe down the rotors and spray on the brake pads. Some all-purpose bike cleaners are, but if yours isn’t, use a brake cleaner specifically designed for that purpose.

5. Rinse the frame, dry and lube the chain

Rinse the soap suds off the bike, dry the chain with an old rag and apply chain lube (opens in new tab)to the chain and the pivot points on the derailleurs.

Some Extra Bike Cleaning Tips

  • After cleaning your bike, using a professional polish can help prevent dirt from sticking and make it easier to wash your bike the following time. A household polish should not be used!
  • Examine your bicycle while you are cleaning it. Keep an eye out for any worn parts that might need to be replaced. The chain, brake pads, wheels, and tires should all be inspected. You can schedule a Free Bike Health Check at the Halfords store closest to you if you notice any problems or want a professional opinion on the condition of your bike.
  • By protecting your back while you clean your bike and preventing it from tipping over, a work stand can greatly simplify your life.
  • By using products specifically made for cleaning bikes, you’ll get the best result in the shortest amount of time.

Different Bikes, Different Strokes

The type of bike you’re cleaning might affect how you clean it, or at the very least, which areas you might need to pay particular attention to. Here is some advice for particular types.

Mountain Bikes

Mountain bikes almost certainly present a bigger cleaning challenge than other types of bikes because they frequently accumulate a lot more muck. Additionally, some unique considerations go into their particular design. Under the saddle and beneath the fork crown, both places where mud thrown up by the wheels tend to collect, are specific areas to clean.

Make sure the area is clean by giving the area directly below the bottom bracket a close inspection as well. Get a small brush and give the moving frame components, along with any related springs and shocks, a thorough cleaning if your bike has full suspension. Re-lubricate any moving parts after, just to be sure.

Touring, commuting, and hybrid bikes

The basic frames of touring, commuter, and hybrid bikes are typically fairly easy to clean; however, these types of bikes may also be equipped with mudguards, bottle cages, racks, or a variety of accessories. Mud can be removed from the inside of mudguards by firing a powerful jet of hose water up there.

If that doesn’t work, take the wheels off and quickly brush some bike cleaner along the inside of the mudguards. In the case of other accessories, you might discover that it makes sense to take them off so you can clean as much of the bike as possible. Just remember to put the bolts back in the mounting points of the accessories before cleaning to prevent water infiltration!

Road Bikes

Although road bikes are generally easy to use, you should take extra care when applying any lubricant near the rim brakes. Fitting some new bar tape is a finishing touch that will make you feel like you have a brand-new bike and will round out a successful wash.