May is National Bike Month, a time to showcase the many benefits of bicycling – and encourage more folks to give biking a try. Whether you’re an avid rider or taking your bike out for a spin for the first time in a while, Bike to Work Day on May 21st is a great time to remind us all how to keep our bikes clean and our clothes grease-free.

• Chain
  Use a degreaser and turn the cranks backward so that it gets on every link. After about five minutes, rinse with a gentle stream of water from the hose. If the chain is still grimy, apply small drops of dish soap like you would a lube, grip the chain in the rough side of your sponge, then turn the cranks for several rotations. Rinse.
• Bike Frame
  Dip a clean, soft sponge into a fresh bucket of water. Soap up the frame, working your way from front to back, then rinse. If you have caliper brakes, clean the pads with the abrasive side of the sponge.
• Wheels
  Use a softer, bigger brush for tires and rims so you can get into every nook with minimal effort. Use the same water you used to clean your frame. Starting at the valve, scrub all the way around the wheel, hit the spokes and hub, then flip the wheel to get the opposite side. Repeat on the other wheel, then rinse.

Love the added health benefits of biking but not the bicycle grease on your clothes?
The easiest way to remove bicycle grease is to pretreat the stain with a prewash stain remover and then launder in warm or hot water (check what’s safe for the fabric). Check to make sure the stain is gone before putting the clothing in the dryer. If the stain remains, apply a concentrated heavy-duty cleaner (one that’s labeled for use on grease stains) directly on the grease spots. Scrub gently, using a small brush or old toothbrush, and then launder again.

Resources:

• • https://www.cleaninginstitute.org/cleaning-tips/work/clean-commuting
  • https://www.cleaninginstitute.org/cleaning-tips/clean-home/ask-aci/ask-aci-bicycle-grease-stains