Bike wash with less water

[Gr3mlin131]

With water becoming a problem in several parts of our country, what are some ways that a proper bike wash can be done while wasting as little as possible water? Some questions that I have been trying to figure out, and would like to find out the "HUB wisdom" on:

• How ofter to wash the bike? (after every ride, when visibly dirty, when it starts making crunchy noises)
• Different techniques or methods that can be used? (pressure wash, hosepipe, bucket and sponge)
• Products that work well with little water? (sunlight vs expensive bike cleaners)
• Any difference between different bikes? (Dry road ride vs muddy MTD fun)
• Any other ideas, tips or videos?

We recently got a warning in PE to boil the water before drinking as the dam levels are now so low that extra untreated water needs to be added to the system. So I am trying to find a balance between not wasting water and not destroying my bikes with lack of care. 

[PregoRoll]

Yep, its becoming an increasing issue.

If the bike isnt caked in mud, I dont give it a wash but a wipe down to get the dust off and looking clean again. Use a decent lube and you can get a couple hundred km out of a single application, without all the build up around the pulley wheels

Can get a product like this if you are in an area with water restrictions or live in an apartment block

https://www.thehangerbikeco.co.za/products/muc-off-waterless-wash-750ml

Edited March 2, 2023 by PregoRoll
not reading properly

[The Ouzo]

When I got my new bike i obsessed with keeping it showroom clean. I found i was then not riding when the roads were damp or I'd get grumpy having to ride through a puddle etc.

I'm much happier now that I'm not so obsessed.

 

For a road bike. keep the drive train relatively clean. I wipe down once a week and lube.

The rest of the bike. If I've done a ride that I've dripped lots of sweat on the bike I'll give it either a quick rinse or clean, otherwise it now only gets cleaned when really dirty or just before a race.

Not sure if this is the most water effecient way, but I spray it down with a hose, then clean with a cloth and small bucket (+/- 1 litre big) of car wash in water.

Rinse and dry.

i do this on the lawn so all water that comes off is watering the lawn.

[michaelbiker]

I use and even travel with one of those Muc-off soft bristle washing brushes. When the bike is dusty I just brush it down. If I need to wash the bike because the dirt is caked on it, I use a bucket of water, soap and the brush to get the soap on and loosen the dirt. It does need a quick rinse after to get rid of the soap though. I’d be interested to try to the waterless stuff.

 

[Jono]

Not this stuff...

 

[devvydoesdonuts]

55 minutes ago, Gr3mlin131 said:

With water becoming a problem in several parts of our country, what are some ways that a proper bike wash can be done while wasting as little as possible water? Some questions that I have been trying to figure out, and would like to find out the "HUB wisdom" on:

• How ofter to wash the bike? (after every ride, when visibly dirty, when it starts making crunchy noises)
• Different techniques or methods that can be used? (pressure wash, hosepipe, bucket and sponge)
• Products that work well with little water? (sunlight vs expensive bike cleaners)
• Any difference between different bikes? (Dry road ride vs muddy MTD fun)
• Any other ideas, tips or videos?

We recently got a warning in PE to boil the water before drinking as the dam levels are now so low that extra untreated water needs to be added to the system. So I am trying to find a balance between not wasting water and not destroying my bikes with lack of care. 

I usually wash my bike after every ride, but it also depends on how dirty my bike is. If it is caked in mud or looks like I have ridden through a sand storm then I give it a proper clean, if it is a bit dusty I just spray some bike cleaner and give it a quick hose down and wipe it to not leave any water marks, and if it has some dust or a few marks I will leave it for the next ride. I just make sure that my chain and drivetrain is clean and lubed, if I don't do a deep clean on my chain and drive train I just take a rag with a touch of degreaser and wipe the chain down and use the clean side of the rag to wipe it again after before lubing up again. 

You could also look at using waterless car cleaners, there is a company called Detail Ease, they have a good product that cleans and protects, its about R370 for a bottle but works well and doesn't attract a lot of dirt to your bike. I use it on my frame after cleaning my bike and find that it helps keep my bike cleaner for longer.

[cadenceblur]

Namgear bikewash, rinsed off with one of those larger garden spray bottles 

[Gr3mlin131]

5 minutes ago, Jono said:

Not this stuff...

 

This is what got me thinking about how I can do it better.

 

Soft brush and Garden Spray bottle already seem like good additions to my bucket routine for the road bike, leaving the hosepipe and harder brush for when I play in the mud with my MTB.

[Frosty]

I use less than a 2 litres of water for every wash. Road bike mostly, but occasionally a muddy MTB.

The degreaser does the hard work, bot the elbow-grease, so give it time to penetrate and lift the dirt. The water then washes it away; that's how these products work.

My setup:

• 2x 750ml spay bottles (one with degreaser and water, the other with warm water);
• 2x microfibre cloths (one to wash, one to dry);
• 1x soft bristle brush (frame, fork, crankset, wheels, etc.); 
• 1x hard/firm bristle toothbrush (chain and cassette);
• Water-based degreaser;
• Glass bottle with lid (chain goes inside with degreaser and hot water). Peanut butter jar works well.
• Bike stand

Wheels and chain are removed.

The degreaser (a high-foaming type) is concentrated; my company buys and sell thousands of litres per month, so I have access to a decent product at a good price. It's also used throughout the house as a floor and surface cleaner (has SANS 1828 certification - chemicals used in the food industry).

Dilute at 1:50 into the one spray bottle with water. The same degreaser goes into the glass bottle for the chain, but at 1:20 with boiling water. Let it sit and allow the degreaser to do it's job, then shake (agitate) a few times. Remove, place on the "wet" microfibre cloth and use the toothbrush to clean the chain (all sides). Rinsing requires throwing the dirty water out, and replacing with cold water. Then drip-dry and lube before putting it back on the bike.

Wheels get washed with the soft brush, and the microfibre cloth while spray degreaser/water mix on the wheel and allowing to do it's job, then brushing. Rinse with the second spray bottle and dry with the "dry" microfibre cloth.

Cassette is washed with the toothbrush and only removed for a major service.

Frame is placed on the stand, spray bottle and cloth/soft brush used to wash the frame down. Rinse with the second spray bottle, then wipe dry with the cloth.

No need to use sunlight soap, even though it's a neutral detergent (+/- 7pH).

[Bub Marley]

I use those Johnson and Johnson baby wipes. The unscented 100% water one. Works like a charm for most rides when bike is not too dirty.

 

Obviously if your bike is caked it’ll need to hose down first.

[Steady Spin]

Put a bucket in the shower or scoop up some bath water. 
Use two buckets. One for washing, and one for rinsing. 

Wash with brushes and sponge. Will definitely be clean enough.