Cleaning your bike may seem like a tedious chore, but it’s essential for keeping it in great condition. Following these simple guidelines can make this task fast and painless!
Ideal, bikes should be washed at least every 160km cycled; mountain and gravel bikes may need more frequent washings if necessary.
1. Pre-Wash
Proper bike cleaning should be an integral component of your maintenance routine. Proper cleaning helps protect the integrity and quality of costly parts by keeping them spotlessly clean. Make sure you use a brush and sponge that won’t contaminate brakes, wheels or drivetrain grease; I suggest Muc-Off’s pink washing liquid for carbon fibre and anodised components.
Be sure to wash your bike in a shaded area; this is an effective way of delaying corrosion until later! A clean bike makes for smoother, more reliable rides as well as looking better!
2. Degrease
Degreasers designed specifically for bicycle frames and finishes should be used to remove lubricants on your chain that impede smooth operation, along with brush kits equipped with different size brushes designed specifically to reach into every nook and cranny around your brakes and crankset.
Pre-wet your bike using a low-pressure hose spray nozzle and apply your chosen cleaner/degreaser. Begin by working on the drivetrain before moving onto other parts. Remove wheels for easier access to frame and fork areas as necessary.
3. Wash
Though you might not have access to an expensive Muc-Off mechanics’ truck or backyard equipped with a pressure washer, you can still keep your bike clean at home using basic tools, brushes and a microfibre sponge (for best results).
Start by placing your bike in a workstand and raising it off of the ground, so all areas can be easily reached. Use hot soapy water with a sponge, cleaning all areas of the frame systematically while taking special care when washing wheels (hubs and front derailleur).
4. Rinse
Cleanliness on a bike goes beyond aesthetics – it also helps it run more smoothly, last longer and perform more effectively – especially for its drivetrain.
Start by giving your bike a thorough washing with either the shower setting of a garden hose, or with fresh, clean water in a bucket, using either a soft towel or chamois, then patting dry rather than rubbing to avoid scratching. Now is also an ideal opportunity to lube chain, derailleur and brake pivots – this ensures smooth movement while protecting them from rust!
5. Dry
Clean your bike using an appropriate method. Avoid high pressure hoses which force water directly onto components such as bearings and can lead to premature wear.
Instead, grab a bucket of warm soapy water, a sponge and your bike-specific or general bike cleaning solution of choice.
Use a sponge to scrub the entire bike, taking extra care to reach all corners and crevices. Be sure to dry your bike after every use – this helps prevent rust while protecting both paint jobs and drivetrain components from damage. Apply a lubricant after drying for optimal bike operation.
6. Lube
Your current circumstances may preclude you from accessing a full bike-wash kit that includes brushes, cleaning product and lube; but even with limited resources you may still be able to rely on a basic brush kit with various safe brushes for the frame and drivetrain.
After washing, apply a liberal coat of chain lube. This step is crucial as without it, your chain would produce an ear-piercing squeal and eventually rust. Wipe away any excess with a clean rag before drying thoroughly to avoid further rusting. Regular lubrication also ensures your bike runs more efficiently.
7. Polish
Bike polish gives your bike a deep shine, but take care not to spray it directly onto handlebars, tyres or brakes (that would just bring dirt back in!). A repair stand or even just a bungee cord can help hold up its frame so it can be cleaned more effectively.
Use a microfibre cloth to apply Muc Off Miracle Shine in small patches, and rub in lightly with light pressure before repeating this process on all areas of your bike – this method works well on metal areas like rearsets or chrome bits too!
8. Clean Your Tools
Whilst you’re cleaning your bike, be sure to also clean all of the tools used. This prevents dirt from being transferred back onto the frame, wheels and drive chain and can reveal potential issues as you inspect each tool individually.
Make a DIY cleaning station using soapy water in a bucket, an old bidon, sponges and brushes (photo). Muc-Off Dirt Bucket is an ideal size for bikes as it takes up minimal garage space while providing brushes two-pronged and claw brushes as well as cleaning products to care for drivetrain and frame cleaning products.
9. Check Your Tools
An elevated work stand is essential in making inspecting and cleaning all parts of the bike frame much simpler, enabling inspection and cleaning more effectively. You will also require several sponges (the cheaper the better are okay), cloths that do not release fluff, good quality spray bottles with adequate flow rates, degreasers (we use Muc-Off Nano Tech for chain degreasing), degreasers such as washing-up liquid or bio-degreasers as well as dry lubricant spray bottles with sufficient volume.
Once everything is assembled, give your frame a quick scrub with clean water from either your bucket or hose – be careful not to use high pressure hoses which could force dirt deeper into crevices where it could become more difficult to extract it!
10. Do It Again
Use a repair stand if possible when cleaning your bike, as this makes reaching hard-to-reach spots much simpler and allows you to rotate its frame 360 degrees for inspection purposes.
Be sure to wash your bike after each winter ride – and even short spins – just for good measure. Washing will prevent dirt and grime from building up on your frame, wheels and components that could accelerate wear or lead to maintenance mishaps.
