HOW TO CLEAN YOUR BIKE’S CHAIN?
It wouldn’t be wrong to say that your bike’s chain is a like a testament of all your riding adventures. You will find wet sand, dirt, debris & even grass particles stuck to your chain if you don’t clean it regularly. And with the course of time, all of this grit & gunk will form a thick layer that will result in some major damage. Not to mention, the grease stains your clothes will receive on your next ride. If you don’t clean your bike’s chain on a regular basis, it will lead to wear of gears. Furthermore, you will encounter problems during riding like poor shifting, rough pedaling & wasted efficiency.
Things you will need
Soft Bristled Scrubbing Brush
Clean washcloth
Step 1
Prepare the Bike
In order to clean the bicycle chain, you should place the bicycle in such a way that the rear wheel is in the air and can be turned easily. A special bicycle holder is a particularly practical feature. If you do not have such a tool, you can also place the bike so that the seat and the handlebar are touching the ground. Before you begin cleaning the bike chain, place a cloth under the bike, to catch any dirt or debris that falls down after you begin cleaning. This will prevent things from getting messy.
Step 2
Choose the right cleaner & cleaning tools
Although you will find many cleaning agents available in the market but we recommend using WD-40 Specialist Fast Acting Degreaser. The degreaser can remove soiling such as soot, oil and mud from bicycle chains, chain gears, crank sets and cassettes. It does not leave any residue and helps to reduce wear on the mentioned bicycle parts. Not only this, but you need a cleaner that doesn’t strip the chain of its factory lube. As this shortens the life of a bike. Therefore, WD-40 Specialist Fast Acting Degreaser is the right choice for this job.
We recommend using soft bristled brushes. If you’re unable to get professional cleaning brushes, don’t worry. A simple toothbrush will suffice as well. In fact, it might be more helpful as it can reach the small spaces between the teeth of the chain easily.
Step 3
Clean the bike chain & it's parts
To clean the bike chain, the pedal should be turned while the chain cleaner is being sprayed on the gears and bicycle chain. It is recommended to turn the pedal counter-clockwise with one hand, while the WD-40 Fast Acting Degreaser is sprayed with the other hand. The chemical should be used where the bicycle chain and the gear wheels meet. Allow the degreaser to work its magic. You can use the brush to scrub any stubborn deposits & adhering dirt particles.
Step 4
Rinse the chain
After everything is scrubbed clean, gently rinse the drivetrain with clean water. A little pro tip is to avoid using a hose with high pressure water. As it might blast water into areas you should avoid.
Step 5
Dry the Chain
After the treated parts have been thoroughly rinsed with water, we recommend drying the bike chain & gear wheels with a clean cloth. This will prevent it from rusting & developing limescale deposits. Don’t forget to lubricate your bike chain after you have finished all the steps.
Conclusion
If you want to maintain your bike and enjoy many more long rides, cleaning & maintaining it is very important. Clean your bike’s chain to ensure that you avoid internal wear & tear & even prevent small accidents from happening.
Disclaimer
The uses shown and described for WD-40 Multi-Use Product were provided to WD-40 Company by the users themselves. These uses haven’t been tested by WD-40 Company and do not constitute a recommendation of suggestion for use by WD-40 Company. Common sense should be exercised whenever using WD-40 Company products. Always follow the instructions and take heed of any warnings printed on the packaging.
Related How Tos
June 7, 2021
Contact Us
© 2025 WD-40 Company.
All Rights Reserved