http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Tag: cleaning degreaser - Recent Posts en Wed, 13 May 2026 03:01:58 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20430&page=2#post-356758 Fri, 12 Nov 2021 19:14:50 +0000 gembo 356758@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Party at Greenroofer Towers? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20430&page=2#post-356755 Fri, 12 Nov 2021 18:46:21 +0000 Greenroofer 356755@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I have just received a 5L bottle of 99% isopropyl alcohol, for which I have many plans. I understand it is good for cleaning brake discs, de-smelling trainers, general disinfecting and removing sticky stuff from things. It was considerably cheaper than a small spray can of disc brake cleaner. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20430#post-356722 Thu, 11 Nov 2021 21:47:59 +0000 mcairney 356722@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>11 months late to the party (my wife found this thread!)<br /> She bought a bottle of Elbow Grease to get rid of some stubborn grease stains on our hob. My first reaction was that it looked and smelled just like my Muc-Off chain degreaser. The ingredients look fairly similar from a cursory glance but I’ve yet to try it in earnest. At £20 for a 500ml bottle the Muc-off is considerably more expensive so on that basis I’m tempted. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20430#post-341469 Tue, 08 Dec 2020 11:23:52 +0000 I were right about that saddle 341469@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@mediumDave</p> <p>We have a Bosch. Beware the child lock. Cost us £100 for an engineer to unlock it. That is all. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20430#post-341452 Mon, 07 Dec 2020 22:29:25 +0000 MediumDave 341452@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I tend to leave my mucky rags in a bucket with a strong washing soda solution for a day or two before wringing them out and putting them through the washing machine. The pre-soak removes most of the grime and means they are clean enough to wash with workwear at least.</p> <p>Though I did replace my washing machine earlier this year (broken water level sensor and no part available), I reckon I hadn't shortened its life by much as it was 28 years old! </p> <p>Its brain was clockwork.</p> <p>Clockwork. </p> <p>Somehow the shiny new Bosch thing I have is not quite so charming... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20430#post-341451 Mon, 07 Dec 2020 22:26:56 +0000 gembo 341451@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@arobcomp, give us a shout and I will bring some manky trainers that need a wash </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20430#post-341449 Mon, 07 Dec 2020 22:24:30 +0000 acsimpson 341449@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I washed my rags in our machine once. The machine was left with an oily film inside which needed more than one hot cycle to clear.<br /> I now steer clear of putting anything which has been near a chain into the machine. I keep one rag for wiping the chain and it goes in the bin when it gets too manky. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20430#post-341448 Mon, 07 Dec 2020 22:15:24 +0000 ARobComp 341448@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Our washing machine bearings are on their way out. I may wait and see if it gets a terminal diagnosis and just before it is removed I shall wash all my rags in one final act of celebration of it's cleaning life. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20430#post-341437 Mon, 07 Dec 2020 18:57:28 +0000 Sheeptoucher 341437@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"I rinsed the bike parts with water afterwards. Is it required?"</p> <p>Was it fizzy water? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20430#post-341433 Mon, 07 Dec 2020 18:40:15 +0000 I were right about that saddle 341433@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@fimm</p> <p>I would fear for such domestic harmony as we have were I to launder rags on a regular basis. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20430#post-341432 Mon, 07 Dec 2020 18:38:52 +0000 fimm 341432@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Note that the rags do not come up completely clean of oil, just "cleaner than they were". Eventually they become too full of holes to reuse and get binned. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20430#post-341429 Mon, 07 Dec 2020 18:26:34 +0000 gembo 341429@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Yes I have so many pairs of old undercrackers old Radical Tea Towels and old bedsheets that get used then binned. Landfill </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20430#post-341428 Mon, 07 Dec 2020 18:12:21 +0000 I were right about that saddle 341428@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>It never crossed my mind to put a claggy bike clout anywhere near the washing machine. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20430#post-341427 Mon, 07 Dec 2020 18:03:21 +0000 fimm 341427@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>We use rags made from old t-shirts and such things on our bikes and put them through the washing machine... we haven't done the machine any harm... yet... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20430#post-341422 Mon, 07 Dec 2020 17:03:03 +0000 ARobComp 341422@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>PS. Top Tip - I keep old socks for cleaning disk brakes. Means I have a clear differentiator between rags for different purposes and never use an oily t-shirt rag when cleaning pads or discs. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20430#post-341421 Mon, 07 Dec 2020 17:01:36 +0000 ARobComp 341421@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I recycle all my old clothes into rags for use on the bikes, although similar to Bill am now at the point where they're all rank. Can I put them through a very hot and soapy wash in the washing machine? Will this damage the machine? </p> <p>Re: Baby wipes, while I'd never let them near my children (after I saw what they did to my chain) I did buy them for the bike for a while, however hadn't realised the S-U-P nature of them until recently and so have changed behaviour there. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20430#post-341416 Mon, 07 Dec 2020 15:13:51 +0000 I were right about that saddle 341416@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I use old pants and tee shirts too, such a hippy I am. Intrigued by the idea of lubricating a steel chain with anything ceramic. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20430#post-341415 Mon, 07 Dec 2020 15:10:15 +0000 bill 341415@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@neddie I wasn't aware of that. I would be happy to use and reuse fabrics for it but I am not sure how to effectively wash them and remove all/most of the gunk? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20430#post-341412 Mon, 07 Dec 2020 15:01:21 +0000 neddie 341412@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Baby wipes are single-use plastic. Made from fossilised oil. The same plastic manufacturing that creates the vast flares and discharges at the (often faulty) Mossmorran ethylene plant.</p> <p>Even if disposed of properly, they'll end up breaking down over centuries and finding their way into the oceans as microplastics.</p> <p>Please can we all stop using them? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20430#post-341411 Mon, 07 Dec 2020 14:53:46 +0000 bill 341411@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@amir I am a big fan of baby wipes as well. In wet and/or wintry conditions I tend to wipe the chain every night.<br /> I shall look into that ceramic wet lube. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20430#post-341406 Mon, 07 Dec 2020 14:25:01 +0000 amir 341406@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>For the chain, I tend frequently rub down (after every ride in wet winter weather) to keep on top. I use old undies, kitchen roll or baby wipes if necessary. I no longer use degreasers due to faff plus potential for removing grease within chain. I use a ceramic wet lube on the chain!) to avoid attracting too much dirt.</p> <p>For the rest of the bike, I still use rags and wet wipes. When clean, a polish helps make the frame look nice (steel, not needed for titanium). It is rare that I resort to a cleaner or even water (except for MTB) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20430#post-341405 Mon, 07 Dec 2020 14:24:11 +0000 bill 341405@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Thanks All for your replies and your own solutions (pun intended)!</p> <p>I rinsed the bike parts with water afterwards. Is it required? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20430#post-341397 Mon, 07 Dec 2020 12:48:40 +0000 I were right about that saddle 341397@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>Admittedly my bikes are not shiny.</em></p> <p>That's true. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20430#post-341396 Mon, 07 Dec 2020 12:46:48 +0000 gembo 341396@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I do go through a lot of chain oil I. Comparison to degreaser.</p> <p>From the bike service quite runny. Occasionally also due to user error the whole top falls off and that ain’t too cool. Is good oil but does get washed off easily. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20430#post-341395 Mon, 07 Dec 2020 12:43:03 +0000 neddie 341395@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>BTW, you can buy 1 litre of super-concentrated car wash with liquid wax for about £5 and it'll last about a decade. YCRMV (your cleaning regime may vary) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20430#post-341389 Mon, 07 Dec 2020 12:05:49 +0000 gembo 341389@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>All in the nozzle.</p> <p>Close the lid on your washing up liquid and drill tiny hole. Will last a year with your dishes.</p> <p>Use a fine spray on your bike with tiny amount of degreaser. Then dilute a lot.</p> <p>Admittedly my bikes are not shiny. Just not covered in glaur all the time. Infact three of them are semi-clean just now, </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20430#post-341386 Mon, 07 Dec 2020 11:58:04 +0000 I were right about that saddle 341386@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>The not chucking it down the drain thing is for the phosphates, which cause eutrophication. Laundry products had tonnes last time I looked, expect they still do. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20430#post-341385 Mon, 07 Dec 2020 11:55:01 +0000 chdot 341385@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>“and people spend a lot of money on bike-specific degreasers?“</p> <p>Marketing innit!</p> <p>I like Brillo pads (wouldn’t use on chain). Nice slimy ‘soap’ inside flexible steel wool - just don’t rub too hard... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20430#post-341384 Mon, 07 Dec 2020 11:49:49 +0000 Arellcat 341384@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I don't think it will affect metals particularly, but the MSDS notes that you shouldn't chuck it down the drain.</p> <p><a href="https://www.gts-shop.co.uk/amfile/file/download/file/25/product/1063/" rel="nofollow">https://www.gts-shop.co.uk/amfile/file/download/file/25/product/1063/</a></p> <p>Compare with, say, <a href="https://www.leebrothers.co.uk/medias/sys_master/root/hb2/hfd/8803340484638/675261.pdf">Flash All Purpose Cleaner</a>, which is rather less hazardous or irritating. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20430#post-341383 Mon, 07 Dec 2020 11:49:34 +0000 I were right about that saddle 341383@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>It will not dissolve your bike. It is just detergent to lift grease and phosphates to prevent redeposition of filth.</p> <p>Much the same product is sold at five times the price for cars, motorbikes, bicycles etc. </p>