Washing Your Bike in the Winter

You're going to need to wash your bike twice as often in the winter. Especially in places where there is ice and snow, there are a lot more elements that will damage your bike if it's not taken care of properly. 

We've still got a couple months left of winter in the northern hemisphere, and your bike is taking a beating from the cold temperatures, salt, snow, ice, road debris and water. Here's some tips on how to properly wash your bike during winter months. 

Recommended items: Bucket, soft sponge, Dawn dish soap, spray bottle, chain cleaner, chain lube, soft brush, dry shop towels, car wax, WD-40 (or equivalent). 

If you don't have time for a full wash, at least make sure your chain is clean and lubed after every ride. It's tempting to use a pressure washer to make quick work but this. will. damage. your. bike. Use lukewarm water to rinse off debris and always TLC. 

De-icing chemicals can strip the paint off a bike frame. That means that beautiful Bianchi Celeste will take damage unless you wash off your bike. Mix some Dawn dish soap and lukewarm water in a bucket or spray bottle and thoroughly clean your frame with a soft brush or soft sponge. 

Why do we recommend Dawn? We don't usually advocate specific brands often, animal rescuers use Dawn dish soap to make a bubble bath and wash the oil off animals they've rescued from oil spills. Yeah the company used it for one of their marketing campaigns, but this is a real thing folks. Dawn dish soap is strong enough to clean off oil and gentle enough for baby ducks? Add to cart!

Don't let it get this bad!

WD-40 is a degreaser, not a lubricant. This is an important distinction to make. Use WD-40 to clean the old grease off your chain. WD-40 does make bike lube, and it says so on the can. 

We recommend using a specific cleaning spray for your drivetrain, just make sure you're using chain specific cleaners and chain specific lube!