Bike Washing Detergent

[ghammer]

Yup, I'm one of those who wash their bikes after messy/sweaty rides. I loathe to put a well ridden bike away filthy, and if it resembles grimy, I scrub it down. As a result (apart from nicks and small scratches), my 7 year old bike looks pretty much new. And I have a super quick routine that'd put Conti's mechanic (Muñoz) to shame.

But I'm tired of paying premium for "bike-related-detergents". Makes no sense to me. Isn't a detergent a detergent?

For those of out there who wash their bikes, is there a household, average supermarket brand that'd be safe for bicycles?

Thanks,

G

[AngryScientist]

assuming it's a painted bike - car stuff works great.

as nutty as bike guys are, the automotive industry is huge on show-and-go. anything safe for car paint is going to be perfectly acceptable for bike paint.

i always have a bottle of automotive "quick detailer" in the garage to wipe the bike down with.

[NYCfixie]

I have never used a bike-wash product.

I have only used dish detergent: Joy, Dawn, etc.

You would be amazed at how well they cut grease and you are not using something that is bad for the environment (or yourself when you use it).

I know some people dilute and use simple green but the best part of dish detergent is that most people already have it and you will most always have it "in-stock" at home.

[dbnm]

Dawn dish soap. Awesome.

I use it after I clean the chain.

[djg21]

Originally Posted by ghammer

Yup, I'm one of those who wash their bikes after messy/sweaty rides. I loathe to put a well ridden bike away filthy, and if it resembles grimy, I scrub it down. As a result (apart from nicks and small scratches), my 7 year old bike looks pretty much new. And I have a super quick routine that'd put Conti's mechanic (Muñoz) to shame.

But I'm tired of paying premium for "bike-related-detergents". Makes no sense to me. Isn't a detergent a detergent?

For those of out there who wash their bikes, is there a household, average supermarket brand that'd be safe for bicycles?

Thanks,

G

I use Simple Green, which can purchased from auto-parts store or from Lowe’s. https://simplegreen.com

[Ken Robb]

I have had Simple Green stain alloy parts. Maybe I should have diluted it more than I did. Many people love the way Dawn works on all kinds of grease and I'm told it's friendly to the environment.

I'm still working through motorcycle cleaner that I bought by the gallon when I had those kind of bikes. There are several brands and they work quite well when applied with a spray bottle, hosed off with water, and dried with a soft towel. I have an air compressor in the garage so if I blow most of the rinse water off the toweling goes very fast.

[raygunner]

Great post...Since I was out of bike cleaner I was just telling myself I had to pickup some up soon, not anymore!

Thanks for helping me save a buck!

[Frankwurst]

Originally Posted by dbnm

Dawn dish soap. Awesome.

I use it after I clean the chain.

This. I just got back from the store after buying a new bottle.

[C40_guy]

Originally Posted by NYCfixie

I have never used a bike-wash product.

I have only used dish detergent: Joy, Dawn, etc.

If you wax your bike paint, dish detergent will remove the wax. Any good car wash concentrate will work just as well.

[C40_guy]

Originally Posted by Ken Robb

I have had Simple Green stain alloy parts.

I left a good chain in Simple Green overnite and in the morning it was rusted. Ouch.

[rousseau]

Originally Posted by ghammer

And I have a super quick routine that'd put Conti's mechanic (Muñoz) to shame.

Link to instructional Youtube video or it didn't happen!

[spacemen3]

As stated, Dawn will strip off waxes. I like cleaning with Sparkle Green Formula and a soft terrycloth. If the bike's greasy, Dawn is great.

[Ralph]

You can wash aluminum parts with Simple Green if you wash and rinse quickly....and completely.
I once ruined the finish of a beautiful polished aluminum Campagnolo Record silver chainring by leaving it in a pan of Simple Green mixture over night. Discolored it. Speeds up corrosion. Looked partially corroded.

So when I wash aluminum parts in a Simple Green type cleaner......I wash off immediately.....just a couple minutes exposure. if they are loose parts.....soak in a tub of water afterwards.

I would probably (now) take the same precautions with any metals and Simple Green. Prefer to limit Simple Green use to my roof and sidewalks. Kitchen dish soap cuts grease (and car wax) pretty well.....that's what it's formulated to do.

[Ozz]

Wash with Dawn, wipe down with Pledge

Sometimes I have an automotive car wash soap that I use....then the Pledge

Clean drivetrain with citrus degreaser...although I picked up some of that Finish Line degreaser to see what the fuss is about.

Cheers.

[tylercheung]

you would have to rinse off the dawn with water as well? you'd then have to dry carefully w/r to rusting?