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There’s still dried-up mud on your bike’s downtube from your last ride, and the drivetrain is screaming for a thorough cleaning—but you’re not quite sure where to start? No worries! Here’s a quick and easy guide to get your bike spotless in just three steps.
At some point, it’s time. You’ve been putting it off for ages, avoiding the sight, but now the moment has come. After a long ride, it’s not just you who needs a shower—your bike does too. Sure, it can handle dirt and mud, but to keep it running smoothly over time, regular cleaning is essential.
The good news: you don’t need to block your entire day. Just a few minutes after a muddy tour are enough. We’ll walk you through how to clean your bike, which products we recommend, and how often you should actually give your bike a wash.
What Do I Need to Clean My Bike?
You don’t need much:
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A bucket of water
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A sponge
You don’t need a ton of gear to get your bike back in shape after a ride. Photo: Lisa Amenda
Step-by-Step Bike Cleaning Guide
1. Basic Cleaning
Let’s begin with the basic cleaning of your bike. Ideally, choose a spot outside your house—I usually bring a bucket and cleaning supplies to our apartment building’s courtyard.
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Rinse off the heaviest dirt using plenty of water—either with a garden hose or a soaking wet sponge.
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Apply bike cleaner to the frame and components (including motor and battery housing on e-bikes). Let it sit for about 5 minutes.
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Use your brush to remove stubborn dirt.
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Rinse everything thoroughly again with water.
For the basic clean, spray your bike with water and apply bike cleaner. Photo: Lisa Amenda
2. Cleaning the Chain and Drivetrain
Once most of the dirt has been removed, it’s time to focus on the components. The chain and drivetrain are best cleaned with a dedicated drivetrain cleaner. Here’s how:
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To prevent waste oil from getting into the environment, place a cloth or cardboard underneath the chain first.
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Clean the chain, cassette, chainrings, and derailleur pulleys with a drivetrain cleaner. We use the one from Tunap Sports.
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Place the cleaner’s brush on the chain, press the spray nozzle, and rotate the crank backwards until the chain has made a full cycle. Use the brush to clean cassette, chainrings, and pulleys.
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Let the cleaner sit for 2–3 minutes.
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Run the chain through a cloth and wipe down all components thoroughly.
Use a specialized drivetrain cleaner like this one from Tunap Sports.
Photo: Lisa Amenda
3. Lubing the Chain
After cleaning comes care. If you’re using chain oil, we recommend an eco-friendly option—like Tunap Sports’ Eco Chain Oil, which carries an Ecolabel. All raw materials in it are proven biodegradable. In contrast, traditional chain oils contain mineral oil, and just one drop can contaminate 600–1,000 liters of water.
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Use the precision tip of the chain oil bottle to apply oil to each link while turning the crank backwards.
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Let the oil soak in for 10–15 minutes—or even better overnight.
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Before your next ride, run the chain through a cloth to remove any excess oil.
After cleaning, apply an eco-friendly chain oil like the one from Tunap Sports. Photo: Lisa Amenda
Bike Cleaning FAQ
How often should I clean my bike?
You don’t have to clean it after every ride. But if you’ve had a particularly muddy session, it’s best to give it a proper wash.
Can I use a pressure washer?
Please don’t! The pressure from gas stations or most household washers is far too strong and can damage your bike. It can also flush out grease from bearings or push dirt deeper into crevices. Use a low-pressure washer made for bikes—or just a standard garden hose.
Do I need special bike cleaners, or can I use dish soap?
Definitely use bike-specific cleaners! Dish soap is only a last resort—it’s meant to strip grease off dishes, which is exactly what you don’t want for your bike’s bearings and components.
Bike-specific cleaners and lubricants are formulated with your bike’s needs in mind. That’s why we partnered with Tunap Sports for this guide.
Use dedicated bike cleaners instead of dish soap—they’re made to match your bike’s needs. Photo: Lisa Amenda
Tunap Sports – Making Cycling Better for Everyone
Tunap Sports shares our mission: getting more people on bikes and making their cycling lives easier. Their no-fuss products are developed with chemical expertise from the automotive world—so they know what they’re doing. From chain oil to puncture repair, their products are intuitive and effective.
Bike Cleaning at Sport Conrad
Want to quickly clean your bike after a ride without dragging everything out at home? You can do it right in front of our CONradl store in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. For just €7.50, you can wash your bike at our cleaning station.
Don’t feel like doing it yourself or just don’t have time? No problem—bring it to CONradl. We’ll clean your bike for you, or you can even opt for a full cleaning package including drivetrain service.