How To Wash Your Bicycle

Just like your car it’s important that your bicycle be kept clean and well maintained because this can increase the life of your bicycle and decrease the number of times that you have to replace various parts on your bike because of a lack of maintenance. However, unlike your car you can’t simply drag out your garden hose or head down to the local car wash to blast your bicycle clean with a bunch of high pressured water. When you do this you may get all the dirt and grime off but what you sacrifice is all the oil and grease that is lubricating the important mechanics of your bicycle. If you strip your bicycle of this grease then you’ll quickly ruin new parts that can be extremely expensive to repair or replace and you can also ruin the paint or decals on your bicycle with those high pressure water hoses.

All you really need to keep your bicycle clean is a few sponges, a bucket of soapy water, and a couple brushes for getting in corners and tight spaces. This way is inexpensive and prevents you from having to shell out major bucks for parts down the line because of washing away your bicycle’s lubrication. It’s best to use a simple dishwashing detergent that works well on grease and some warm water to get lots of suds.

When preparing to clean your bicycle it’s easiest to mount it somewhere so that it’s at a level that makes it easier for you to clean than if you were to stand it up against a wall. A  branch or a wooden fence that lifts your bicycle up a bit can be a lot of help and can ease pressure on you when cleaning your bicycle which is good news as you should be  cleaning your bicycle pretty regularly. Mounting your bicycle like this can also help you clean places that may be a bit more difficult to get to while it’s on the ground and it can also help prevent water from reaching bearings which you definitely want to keep dry. It’s also important that you don’t hang your bicycle upside down or lay it on it’s side for that very reason. Also make sure to remove any accessories you may have put on before washing your bicycle to prevent them from being ruined.

When washing your bicycle make sure to get the entire bicycle wet with warm water before you begin to use a sponge or any brushes on it. If your bicycle is dry when you begin cleaning it you’ll more than likely just spread grime and dirt around and you’ll probably end up scratching a good deal of your paint. Once your bicycle is completely wet let it sit for a little bit so that the warm water and suds can begin to work on any buildup of dirt and then get one of your soft sponges and being to clean your bicycle from the top down to the bottom.

Use your soft sponges on the body of your bicycle as well as the seat and handlebars and save one specific brush for cleaning the drivetrain parts. By doing so you’ll prevent grease and dirt from spreading from one part of the bicycle to another due to your sponges. If you come across any particularly bad spots you can use a wire brush or even a small screwdriver and delicately scrap out and gunk that might be collecting on your bicycle. Make sure to keep your brakes clean as well as the rims because this can help you have better breaking.

Also remember that you can use a few other household products like rubbing alcohol and a bit of baking soda to get rid of any really bad spots or sticky things that may be on your bicycle (like sap or tar) but be sure not to use any abrasive substances on your paint or to get any chemicals in your drivetrain.

Take the time you spend cleaning your bike to give it a very thorough look over and notice any signs of wear and tear or parts that may need to be replaced. Look for frayed cables, tread wear, rust, and any other signs of use that may indicate parts that need work or time invested into them.

Once you’re done washing your bicycle fill your bucket with fresh water and pour it over your bicycle to rinse away any remaining soap. Make sure you rinse it well as dried on soap can ruin your paint and cause a whole host of other problems for you as well. Once your bicycle has been thoroughly rinsed use some soft towels to dry it off completely and add a touch of lubrication to the chain, derailleur, and brake pivots. Let your bicycle rest a little bit and then you’ll be ready to hit the streets again!