Clean your bike step by step - Consum Household products

Clean and service your bike properly so it lasts you for a long time. Don't miss our tips. Shall we start?

A bike is more than just a means of transport, it’s a companion for adventures and ally for a healthy life. To make sure your bike is always ready for action and offers a good performance, keeping it clean and well cared for is essential. Regular cleaning doesn’t just make it look better, it also prolongs its use life and prevents mechanical problems in the long term.

Tools and products for cleaning your bike

• A bucket of warm water and mild soap
• A soft brush or sponge.
• A smaller brush for hard-to-reach areas.
• A soft and absorbent cloth
• Lubricant for the chain and moving parts (Optional)
• Degreaser
• A bike stand to ensure the position of the bike during the process.

How to clean your bike

• Chain: the chain is one of the most critical parts of a bike, so keeping it clean and well lubricated is vital. Use a degreaser to remove the dirt and grease that has built up on the chain and gears. If you don’t have degreaser, mild soap may also work. Use the small brush to reach difficult areas. Then rinse with clean water.
• Frame: using mild soap and the soft brush or sponge, carefully clean the ‘body’ of the bike, the frame. Pay attention to the corners and areas where dirt has built up. If your bike has parts made of carbon, take extra care when using chemical or abrasive products.
• Rinsing: rinse the whole bike with cold water to remove any soap or degreaser residue. You can use a soft hose or a bucket of water.
• Drying: use the soft and absorbent cloth to completely dry your bike. Make sure you remove all the damp, particularly on the metal areas to prevent them from rusting.
• Lubrication: after a proper clean, it is important to apply lubricant to the chain and other moving parts of the bike. Use a suitable lubricant for bikes and make sure you follow the manufacturer’s instructions. An excess can attract more dirt, so apply it in moderation.
• Additional care: in addition to regular cleaning, it is important to service your bike regularly. Check the tyres, looking for cuts or excessive wear, adjust the breaks if required and make sure all the parts are fixed firmly in place. If you find making these improvements very challenging, it’s advisable to take the bike to a bike workshop for regular professional servicing.
   

How to clean an old bike

If the bike hasn’t been used for a while, is old or is in poor condition because it's been left outdoors, you can use some of these tips to get it in working order again. 

• Soft brush and water to clean the wheels and spokes. Pay special attention to the hard-to-reach areas between the spokes. Check the wheels are centred and the spokes are properly adjusted.
• Wire brush or sandpaper: use a wire brush or coarse sandpaper to gently rub the rusted areas. This will remove the surface layer of rust and make it easier to remove afterwards.
• White vinegar or lemon: immerse a cloth in white vinegar or squeeze lemon juice onto the rusted area. Leave to activate for a few minutes and then scrub gently with a brush or sandpaper to remove the rust.
• Bicarbonate of soda and water: Make a paste with bicarbonate of soda and water and apply it to the rusted parts. Leave the paste to work for at least 30 minutes and then scrub with a brush or sandpaper.

In addition to these remedies, coca cola can also help to remove rust thanks to the phosphoric acid it contains. Spray a little on the rusted areas and leave to activate for a few minutes before scrubbing.