As of: February 16, 2024, 4:17 p.m
By: Nina Dudek
Comments
Press
Split
Cleaning your bike is often essential after an off-road tour © PantherMedia/alphaspirit
Cleaning your bike: a must for some, a nuisance for others.
Why it's important to clean the chain and care for the suspension, brakes and frame.
Note to our readers:
We create product comparisons and deals for you.
To make this possible, we receive a commission from partners.
This doesn't change anything for you.
Most cyclists do it every now and then, but some rarely or never do it: clean the bike.
True to the motto: “The dirt will fall off before the next tour anyway,” many bike owners just leave it to a rough cat wash.
If the weather is dry, a bike is quite forgiving.
But especially in wet and muddy conditions, regular care of the chain, moving parts and frame pays off - and definitely extends the lifespan of a bicycle!
If you know what tricks and tools you can use to effectively clean the individual bike components, you don't need that much time to clean your bike thoroughly.
This leaves more time to start your next bike tour well prepared.
Table of contents
What is the best way to clean a bike?
Preparation and equipment
Cleaning bicycle chains made easy
Which bicycle cleaning product is the best?
Cleaning your bike with home remedies or cleaning your bike with dishwashing liquid?
Cleaning a bicycle with a high-pressure cleaner: Is it allowed to do that?
Clean your bike with a low-pressure cleaner
How often do you have to clean a bike?
What is the best way to clean a bike?
Preparation and equipment
Half the battle is the right preparation.
It helps to work efficiently and to reach all places easily.
A few useful tools should always be on hand to make it easier to reach dirt in the cassette, rear derailleur and frame suspension.
Assembly stand for a secure hold
Cleaning your bike works particularly well with a sturdy repair stand © Amazon
€54.99 instead of €74.99 on Amazon
If you don't want to kneel on all fours next to your bike, you should get a repair stand.
This fixes the bike to the frame and at the same time raises it to an ergonomically optimal working height.
This means that even the narrowest spaces such as cassettes, sprockets or rear derailleurs can be easily reached from all sides.
Load capacity: |
up to 35 kg |
|---|---|
Working height: |
113 – 186 cm |
Assembly: |
95% pre-assembled, tool-free assembly, foldable |
Extra: |
Storage box for tools, care products etc. |
Amazon reviews: |
4.3 out of 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Brush set for the frame
Clean your bike from coarse to fine with the right brush © Amazon
buy on Amazon
If you ride your bike a lot off-road, you will first have to remove coarse dirt such as dried mud or soil.
A firm, but not too hard (warning: scratches!) brush is suitable for this.
Once the coarse dirt is gone, it's time to do the fine work.
Full-suspension mountain bike frames in particular have many corners, niches and gaps that are difficult to access.
If you want to be on the safe side and reach all dirt, you are well equipped with a 5-piece brush set.
Wheel & Component Brush: |
Firm brush for coarse dirt |
|---|---|
Soft washing brush: |
Soft brush for subsequent cleaning |
Two Pong Brush: |
Double brush for gaps and hard-to-reach struts |
Detailing Brush: |
Small bust for the details |
Claw Brush: |
For chain, cassette and chainrings |
Amazon reviews: |
4.6 out of 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Workshop mat protects the floor
Clean your bike and keep the surrounding area clean - with a mat © Amazon
Only €8.90 on Amazon
The bike should be clean - and the surroundings should stay that way?
To ensure that the basement floor or garage entrance stays clean after cleaning your bike, professionals use foldable mats made of high-quality, waterproof plastic.
These can be wiped clean and stored away to save space after use.
You can even use it to clean your bike at home!
Robust and durable: |
High-quality plastic, waterproof and repellent |
|---|---|
Lightweight and space-saving: |
Dimensions 68 cm x 182 cm, 150 g light |
Secondary use: |
Floor protection for use under exercise bikes |
Amazon reviews: |
4.4 out of 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Work gloves for clean fingers
Clean your bike and keep your fingers clean © kk-siegelungstechnik
buy on Amazon
It's not just the bike that should be optimally prepared for the major cleaning!
Chain grease and road dirt stubbornly stick to your hands and under your fingernails.
This can be prevented with light, breathable assembly gloves.
The dexterity is still retained with extra-thin but robust gloves.
Always fits: |
Available in packs of 10 in sizes S to XXL |
|---|---|
Wearing comfort: |
Firm knitted waistband, very good grip, high abrasion resistance and breathability |
Quality: |
High-quality workmanship, complies with standards EN 21420 and EN 388 (2016) |
Amazon reviews: |
4.2 out of 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Cleaning bicycle chains made easy
Chain grease, dust, mud: A bicycle chain and all the parts connected to it, such as chainrings and cassettes, have to work hard and get dirty particularly quickly.
The sticky mixture of grease and dust is particularly stubborn, even in the smallest parts.
However, with the right equipment, the bicycle chain will be almost like new again.
Muc-Off Claw brush for coarse dirt
Cleaning a bicycle chain works best with special brushes.
© Amazon
Order from Amazon for €6.90
Is stuck dirt sticking to the entire movable substructure of the bike?
Some bikers make makeshift use of an old toothbrush that is then ready for the trash.
If you want to approach chain cleaning more effectively and sustainably, you should purchase a special Muc-Off Claw brush.
These are inexpensive and remove even the toughest dirt between the sprockets.
Area of application: |
All types of chains |
|---|---|
Use: |
For sprockets, cassettes and chainrings |
Furnishing: |
Robust nylon bristles with 3 brush heads |
Amazon reviews: |
4.4 out of 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Bicycle chain cleaning device
Clean your bike chain like a pro with a little helper © Amazon
Order from Amazon for €19.95
Anyone who likes to ride their bike off the beaten track and doesn't stop at mud puddles knows the problem: the chain is so dirty that thorough cleaning by hand becomes an endless game of patience.
If the bicycle chain needs to be cleaned more frequently, it is worth purchasing a chain cleaning device.
Simple application: |
Chain does not need to be disassembled |
|---|---|
Easy to handle: |
The chain guide mechanism makes cleaning the chain a breeze |
Cleaning mechanism: |
Chain cleaners and rotating brushes |
Result: |
Cleanliness in just a few minutes on both sides of the bicycle chain |
Amazon reviews: |
4.3 out of 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Cleaning cord for gaps and cassette
Clean your bike in tight spaces with a fluffy cord © Amazon
For €4.99 on Amazon
Many bike owners use cleaning cloths torn into strips to clean the cassette and narrow spaces.
But these often not only leave behind fibers, but also spread the dirt more than they remove it.
Cleaning cords made of tear-resistant microfibers can help.
They get into the narrowest spaces, pick up the dirt by pulling it back and forth and transport it into the cord valleys.
Suitable for: |
Cassette, chainrings, derailleur wheels, axle, bottom bracket and crank |
|---|---|
Material: |
tear-resistant microfibers |
How it works: |
Star-shaped grooves pick up dirt particles and guide them into the interior of the fiber |
Scope of delivery: |
20 piece |
Amazon review: |
4.5 out of 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Which bicycle cleaning product is the best?
The selection of bicycle cleaning products is now almost as large as the selection of bikes themselves. With this variety, making a decision on the right cleaning product is not that easy.
However, there is one thing you should pay attention to if you clean your bike outdoors and washing water seeps directly into the ground: Please only use fully biodegradable cleaning products.
Homemade universal cleaners are also great.
When choosing the right cleaning agent, one factor should never be ignored: material compatibility. Not every product is compatible with the materials of chains, screws, threads or lamps. Therefore, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions!
The area of application also helps when deciding which cleaning product is the right one.
There are separate cleaners for frames, brakes and chains that are optimally tailored to the individual parts.
Special cleaners are a must, especially if all small, moving parts need to be cleaned in addition to the frame during major cleaning.
Bicycle cleaning agent for the frame
Cleaning your bike made easy with special cleaning products © Hoco-Online GmbH
Order from Amazon for €13.45
A broad-spectrum cleaner is a good solution for anyone who wants to remove dust and road grime as well as grease and oil.
Universal cleaners are a compromise that cleans the frame thoroughly and are usually available to buy in inexpensive, large refill packs.
Suitable for: |
For all materials: including carbon, chrome, paint and aluminum |
|---|---|
How it works: |
Nanotechnology breaks down dirt into its molecular components for the best cleaning results |
Removed: |
Dirt, oil and soot |
Environmental plus: |
Free of CFCs and solvents, biodegradable |
Amazon reviews: |
4.7 out of 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Brake cleaner for safe braking performance
Clean your bike in detail with a special cleaner for brakes © Warenhandel Edel
buy on Amazon
Safety always comes first!
This is why it is particularly important to maintain the disc brakes regularly.
This also includes professional cleaning of the brake discs so that braking performance is maintained for the next descent.
Special brake cleaners ensure an absolutely grease-free surface and the perfect grip of the brake pads.
It is important to use brake cleaner even if the disc brake pads have been replaced.
Because even with great care, one or two greasy fingerprints will end up on the brake disc, which can reduce the braking effect of the disc brake, which has not yet been properly retracted.
Characteristics: |
Quick and effective removal of soot, grease, brake dust and oily residues |
|---|---|
Suitable for: |
Disc brakes (bicycle or car) |
Acetone free: |
High material compatibility with paints, plastics, seals and rubber |
Amazon reviews: |
4.7 out of 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Clean and maintain bicycle chain
Clean the bicycle chain and then care for it for high durability © shop-ar
Order from Amazon for €18.14
The chain is one of the most stressed parts - and usually one of the dirtiest.
Special chain cleaners penetrate into every small space and loosen stuck-on dirt particles.
After the specified exposure time, first brush the chain from above and below with a Muc-Off Claw brush, then pull it through a soft cloth.
Then immediately grease them sufficiently to keep them supple.
Quality from Germany: |
Developed by specialists in their own laboratory in Dollern near Hamburg |
|---|---|
Characteristics: |
Chain cleaner and oil are tailored to the high demands of ambitious cycling. |
Included in the set: |
200 ml chain cleaner, 150 ml chain grease |
Particularities: |
Chain grease with PTFE reduces friction and wear to a minimum |
Amazon reviews: |
4.5 out of 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Clean cassette with degreaser
Clean your bike cassette like a pro © Muc-Off
Order degreaser for €11 on Amazon
Because chain grease spreads onto the cassette wheels every time you shift gears, it quickly becomes sticky with a mixture of grease and dust.
Special degreasers dissolve dried fat and oil and make cleaning easier.
Degreasers are available in liquid form or as foam: both have their advantages.
When sprayed on in liquid form, the cleaner penetrates into the smallest cracks, but the foam does not drip off and stays where it is supposed to work for longer.
Suitable for: |
Cassette, derailleur cogs or chain |
|---|---|
Product features: |
Powerful but biodegradable formula |
Application advantage: |
Foam instead of spray mist: sticks where it is supposed to work |
Amazon reviews |
4.3 out of 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Clean the suspension fork and frame spring
Cleaning a bicycle with sensitive suspension forks and frame suspension © MFM-Shop
buy on Amazon
Almost all spring elements work in a similar way: sliding surfaces move against each other.
If dirt sticks to these sliding surfaces, the friction of the material increases and impairs function.
Coarse dirt can even damage the seals that protect the inside of the suspension.
A special cleaner should always be used for suspensions, as these are solvent-free and will not damage seals or coatings.
How it works: |
Displaces moisture, forms a transparent, non-hardening protective film |
|---|---|
Product features: |
Without silicone, Teflon and graphite |
Bonus: |
Additionally dissolves grease, tar and glue residues, smells pleasant |
Amazon reviews: |
4.7 out of 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Cleaning e-bikes: This is what you should pay attention to
If you own an e-bike, you should always remove the battery before cleaning.
Gently remove dirt from the plug poles on the frame and the battery contacts with a dry cloth.
Never clean e-bikes with a high-pressure cleaner as water can get into the electrical parts and damage them.
Cleaning your bike with home remedies or cleaning your bike with dishwashing liquid?
If you ask dedicated bike fans and experts, they all agree: high-quality bikes with a variety of different materials and sensitive materials such as suspension forks or seals require special care.
But it doesn't have to be a thorough general cleaning after every bike ride, where all the individual parts are carefully cleaned!
If it's just the dust from the dirt road or a few splashes from the puddle on the way to work, a simple "cat wash" is enough - and here you can use home remedies.
Biodegradable dishwashing liquid or neutral cleaner dissolved in warm water are tried and tested and popular.
This ensures that the frame, handlebars and seat post are clean again and this washing does not harm the more sensitive parts.
However, these home remedies are not suitable for chains, cassettes and other greasy parts.
Cleaning a bicycle with a high-pressure cleaner: Is it allowed to do that?
Cleaning your bike with a high-pressure cleaner?
Just be careful!
© AVA of Norway
Order a high-pressure cleaner for €499 on Amazon
Perfomance: |
145 to 160 bar and flushing performance of up to 600 l/h for brilliant cleanliness |
|---|---|
Ease of use: |
Follow Me hose reel, zero force gun, zoom lance and telescopic handle |
Quality made in Norway: |
Up to 20 years consumer guarantee |
Product features: |
40 x 38 x 74 cm, 29.9 kg |
Amazon reviews: |
4.5 out of 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Cleaning with a high-pressure cleaner also falls into the “cat washing” category.
Set up the bike, spray it once and you're done.
What sounds simple in practice and is popular with many bike (and high-pressure cleaner) owners has a definite disadvantage: the high water pressure can damage the bearings, headset and seals on the bike.
But if things have to be done quickly and a few tricks have to be followed, express cleaning is fine.
E-bikes are an exception!
The water pressure can bring moisture into the sensitive electrical system and damage it.
Additionally, there are a few things you should consider when choosing a pressure washer.
Cleaning your bike with a high-pressure cleaner: Here's how it works
Use the flat jet nozzle for particularly targeted work
Maintain a minimum distance of 30 cm from the bike
Do not aim directly at bearings, connectors and shock absorbers
Clean your bike with a low-pressure cleaner
Clean your bike with sensitivity and a low-pressure cleaner © Amazon
€159.99 instead of €197.49 on Amazon
So-called low-pressure cleaners are a good alternative to high-pressure cleaners.
They are just as easy to use as high-pressure cleaners, but work with less water pressure and are therefore gentler on sensitive bicycle parts.
Small, battery-operated low-pressure cleaners are practical for when you're out and about in the bike park or on bike trips.
Stay flexible: |
Integrated lithium-ion battery and 4 liter water tank for maximum independence from power and water connections |
Special nozzle: |
For gentle low pressure with efficient cleaning performance |
Scope of delivery: |
Low-pressure cleaner, water tank, spiral hose, flat jet nozzle, battery charging cable, universal brush, two-wheel cleaner, microfiber cloth, storage box |
Weight: |
3.8kg |
Amazon reviews: |
4.7 out of 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
How often do you have to clean a bike?
There is no general answer to this question because everyone drives differently.
Frequency, weather and surface are key factors that influence the level of dirt on a bicycle.
Of course, a trail enthusiast has to clean his mountain bike more often than casual cyclists who tend to do short, nice-weather rides on their city bike.
At the very latest, a proper basic cleaning is due when the dirt becomes noticeable in the form of grinding pedals, squeaking chains or creaking suspension.
In this case, it is high time to prevent long-term consequential damage to the material.
But if it's purely superficial dirt, the timing of major cleaning or spring cleaning is usually a matter of taste and appearance.