Cleaning your new not so shiny bike

[Justinslow]

Hi, what's the best way to clean a bike? I know this sounds a silly question but my new bike got all dirty this morning when I went out in the rain on the road!
Do people use a hose pipe or a pressure washer for instance or just a damp cloth? Obviously I don't want water in the bearings, cables etc so I'm guessing use the least water possible, anyway all tips welcome, cheers, justin.

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

A bucket & sponge with car shampoo plus an old toothbrush for the fiddly bits works for me. Use the Mickle method to clean the chain.

I'd definitely not go for the pressure washer having recently been shown what damage they can do.

 

[Doyleyburger]

Wash off the muck with a hose pipe then let it dry off a bit then baby wipe everything down. That's what I do any way.

 

[smokeysmoo]

Hand wash, dry, baby wipes for detailing and GT85 wiped over the frame for afters

+1 for the mickle method on your chain as well.

 

[welsh dragon]

Did someone mention cleaning? You can't be serious

 

[GreigM]

Baby wipes normally for me, but now and then a bucket of warm water and some car shampoo if it's really mucky.

 

[ianrauk]

bucket of water and washy up liquid... baby wipes if not too mucky

And don't let people tell you not to use washy up liquid because of salt.
It will do no damage to your bike what so ever.

 

[Drago]

Apart from degreasing any bearings etc it comes into contact with.

 

[ianrauk]

Well unless you are pretty stupid and squirt neat washy up liquid direct into the bearing races... it aint gonna happen

 

[Drago]

Washing up liquid diluted to a high degree is an excellent degreaser on greasy washing up. Why do you think your bearings are any less vulnerable to this most excellent domestic cleaner and degreaser?

 

[ianrauk]

Many, many years of commuting, riding my bikes in all weathers and cleaning them with washing up liquid tell's me that it has no detrimental effect what so ever on the bearings.

 

[Drago]

And all the people who have used it and suffered grief?

 

[ianrauk]

Then let them post about it.

 

[fossyant]

And Mr Sheen, dont forget.

 

[User6179]

I washed my bike once with fairy liquid and it melted !!