August 11, 2020 by Mulberry Maids
To keep your bike running well and smooth this summer, it is important to regularly clean it. The best part of cleaning your bike is that you will be more motivated to get out for a ride when it runs efficiently, in turn benefiting your physical and mental health. This is especially relevant now that the Coronavirus outbreak has forced us to make changes to our daily lifestyle.
Just like cleaning your bike, keeping your home in a clean state is extremely important. That’s why, as your most trusted house cleaning service in Loveland Colorado, we are here to tell you all about the best ways to clean your bike. Read on to learn about it!
Why is it important to keep your bike clean?
There are many reasons to keep your bike clean and in working order. By reading through this list, you will learn why it is so important to maintain a clean bike. Here at Mulberry Maids, we love giving tips and tricks on cleaning. In addition to your bike cleaning, you can learn all about cleaning bike water bottles or your cell phone to stay healthy during these rather uncertain times we are going though.
Good Performance
When left unmaintained and cleaned, your bike’s performance will suffer. No one likes a squeaky chain or rough shifting. Riding will be more comfortable and efficient, and likely much quieter!
More motivation to ride
When your bike runs smoothly, it is much more fun to ride. Getting out to ride more will not only benefit your physical health, but is also a great way to clear your mind from the stresses of daily life. It is also a great activity for your whole family, or as a healthy way to socialize with friends.
Keep your bike running smoothly with less maintenance
The cleaner your can keep your bike, the better and longer it will run with less maintenance. A clean chain can last for a long time, but one gunked up with grease and crud will ruin your cassette and derailleur, leading to pre-mature failure of these parts. Not only will routine bike cleaning give you a nicer ride, it will save you money on replacement parts or bike shop maintenance fees.
How should I clean my bike?
Cleaning your bike is a pretty simple task, but you will want some basic equipment to do an effective job. Have a bucket of warm water ready to use, and grab some rags and brushes, dishsoap and a stronger degreaser, and chain lube.
Put your bike on a bike stand or in a secure spot
It is easiest to clean your bike when it is mounted on a bike stand, but is not necessary for a proper bike cleaning. If you don’t have a bike stand, put the bike in a secure spot where it is stable and will not fall over, and get ready to start cleaning it.
Wash your bike frame
Grab your bucket of warm water, and add a bit of dish soap to it. Using a rag or brush, gently work your way from the top to bottom of the bike to clean it off. Don’t neglect any areas, making sure to clean everything from the handle bars down to the chain stays. Use a brush as needed to get off any more stuck on grime. Be careful with the soap around disc brakes – you can use rubbing alcohol to help clean the disc rotors. When you are finished, fill up a bucket of water without soap, and give the bike a thorough rinse. Dry it with a clean dry cloth or towel.
Clean and lubricate your bike chain
Once your bike cleaning is complete, you can move onto your chain. Depending on how dirty it is, you may or may not need to use a degreaser on it. If you have a chain cleaning brush, you can run the chain through it. Otherwise you can simply use a rag with the degreaser.
After the chain has been cleaned, you should re-lube it with chain lube. Slowly dribble the lube on it while moving the chain around. Once the lube has been applied, wipe off any excess lube with a cloth.
Lubricate other areas on bike
Once the bike cleaning has been completed, you can add some optional lubrication to other parts of the bike, including the brake and derailleur levers and cables. Always be careful with lubrication around disc brakes, as the oil will compromise braking ability.
The best house cleaning services in Loveland Colorado
Mulberry Maids is here to help with all of your cleaning needs! We only work with effective and safe cleaning products, and employ the hardest working cleaners around. We offer deep cleaning, routine maintenance cleaning, and full move out cleanings.
Let us take good care of your home, so you can go to the Rialto Theater to catch a show with family or friends. Leave the cleaning to us, so you can focus on the things you love to do in your free time.
Give us a call today, we are here to help!