How to Clean a Bicycle: Removing Rust, Dirt, Etc.

I adored riding my bike when I was a child. My dad fixed up my old bicycle when I was 8 years old, painted it purple, put a cute basket on the front and showed me how to clean a bicycle so that it would last a long time. Sadly, my oldest son never enjoyed riding his toddler bike and my middle son does not seem interested either. It lies in our backyard collecting dirt and rust. When preschool bike day came along for my oldest, I had to pull out of my head everything my dad taught me about how to clean a bicycle. Even though my son preferred the preschool’s tricycle over his bike, at least his bike was clean and shiny!

If you have a bike that you will need to clean often, buying a bicycle stand will be helpful. It is easier to clean a bicycle that is stabilized. A bicycle stand will allow you to remove the wheels of the bike for easier cleaning. Suspending your bike with ropes from a tree branch or other object will work, too.

To clean a bicycle, first hose it off to get rid of large pieces of dirt or mud. You should not use forceful water pressure, but instead low pressure to keep from lodging grime in the moving parts of the bike.

To clean a bicycle chain, apply a degreaser (something like Simple Green) on a soft cloth and work on cleaning a few links at a time. After you have cleaned the chain, remove it (you will need a screwdriver) and clean the chain wheel. Cleaning the chain wheel is like flossing your teeth. Use the soft cloth to slip between the teeth and remove gunk.

If your bicycle chain rusty on the outside, the Simple Green or WD-40 may help to remove the rust. If the chain is rusted completely, buy a new chain. You do not want to ruin the bike by trying to ride on a rusty chain.

To clean a bicycle frame, use a sponge and a bucket of warm soapy water. Yes, just like you would wash your car. After you have washed the bike thoroughly, rinse the bicycle frame with the garden hose again to remove all traces of soap. Dry the bicycle with a towel.

To clean a bicycle completely is not enough to keep it in good working order. You will need to remember to lubricate the chain after it has been cleaned. Use an aerosol lubricant such as WD-40 to spray the chain. Do not over do it as the lubricant can attract dirt and dust.

Knowing how to clean a bicycle includes knowing that wax will protect your bike from dust and dirt. Do not forget to wax your bike once it is clean. My dad always used car wax, but special waxes just for bicycle frames are found at bike shops.

Store your bike in a dry place to help keep it clean and use a bike rack if you can.