How To Clean A Bike Chain (Step-by-Step Instructions)

Bike chains are all too often mistreated and poorly maintained. This is largely due to the common misconception that all you need to do to take care of your chain is to douse lubricants on it a couple of times a year.

But this practice, in reality, just furthers the bad reputation chains have for being dirty, grimy things that no one wants to spend the time on or even touch.

However, caring for your chain is easier than you think, and it’s very easy to keep your chain clean by wiping it down regularly. 

If the chain is not too dirty and grimy, you can clean the bike chain without removing it by following these steps:

1. Drape the bike and the surrounding area with plastic trash bags or a canvas drop cloth.
2. Use a gear cleaning brush to clean out the gunk between and on the sprockets and brush clean the derailleur pulley wheels.
3. Put on gloves and pull a rag between each layer of sprockets to remove dirt loosened by the brush.
4. Spray a few chain links at a time with solvent to loosen the grime. A chain cleaning device (e.g., a chain scrubber such as the Park Tool) makes the job easier. So if you do use one, then you can skip steps 4 – 7.
5. Wipe the chain and the derailleurs with a rag moistened with solvent. You can also use a toothbrush to scrub the chain link if you want.
6. Wipe off the gunk on the side plates and rollers.
7. Repeat steps 4 and 5 until all the links are clean.
8. Give it a quick rinse with some clean water.
9. Towel dry or use a hairdryer to ensure the chain is completely dry.
10. Give it a dose of your favorite chain lube onto the brushings and gaps where the inner and outer side plates meet.
11. Turn the crank backward a few revolutions to work the lubricant deep into the chain so it can coat the pins, which is where most wear occurs.
12. Finally, wipe any excess lubes from the outside of the chain with a dry rag.

That’s it! You’re done.

There are a lot of little things, such as the solvents and lubricants to use, that are important to understand about cleaning and lubricating a bike chain, and we’ll cover all of those in-depth later on, so keep reading!

Why Should I Clean My Bike Chain?

The bike chain is the engine that drives your bike, so it’s important to keep it clean. Dirt and grime can cause wear on the bike chain, which will eventually lead to a shorter lifespan of other parts on the drivetrain. 

A clean and properly lubricated chain would benefit you and your bike in several ways:

1. It will shift more smoothly.
2. It will last longer.
3. It will inflict less wear on other parts of the drivetrain like derailleurs, chainrings, and cogs.
4. Each pedal stroke will work more efficiently since more of your energy goes into moving forward rather than fighting the chain.

If you like the sound of all this, then it’s time to start paying more attention to the chain.

What Household Items Can I Use To Clean My Bike Chain?

Most of the commercially available degreaser you get from the hardware store can be too harsh on the chain because it removes all the factory lubricants inside the chain rollers, which you cannot replace by dripping lubricants on the surface.

So you must be cautious in your selections because the incorrect one might destroy your chain in a matter of minutes.

The two bike chain-specific cleaner I would recommend are Simple Green and Finish Line Citrus Degreaser. Both cleaning agents are safe and effective in cleaning your chain, derailleurs, and cassette.

However, like all common degreasers, it may contain surfactants, which can attack the surface of the chain if left on for no more than 20 minutes.

With this in mind, it’s a good idea to always finish up cleaning with solvents by rinsing the chain with clean water before wiping it dry.

If you don’t want to use degreasers purchased from hardware stores, you can always make your own degreaser with a couple of common household items.

The ingredients that I found highly effective are isopropyl rubbing alcohol, baking soda, and dish-washing liquid. By mixing them with water in the right amount, you can create a powerful degreaser that works wonders on a dirty chain.

Here is my formulation by volume:

• 50% Isopropyl alcohol
• 40% Water
• 5% Baking Soda
• 5% Dish-washing liquid (Dawn)

The alcohol and the baking soda will work together to extract and lift the dirt, grime, and grease, while the dish-washing liquid will work as a surfactant and will also act as a wetting agent and a foam booster.

What Is The Best Lubricant For Bike Chain?

There are a variety of options of what is the best bike chain lubricant. And because there are so many types of lubes designed for different uses, you may want to experiment to find the best one for the type of riding you do and the climate you ride in.

Dry Lubes

Some prefer dry lubes that consist of a light lubricant in a volatile carrier. Because they end up dry to the touch, this lube attracts and holds a lot less dust and grit while maintaining good lubricating properties than oils that remain moist.

Dry lubes are best suited to warm and dry conditions. In fact, this same type of lube can help minimize the number of times you have to remove your chain for a major cleaning. Simply apply a wet coat of dry lube on the chain after every few rides and wipe away the excess and whatever dirt and grit you can take with it.

And even though from time to time, you will still need to thoroughly clean and re-lubricate your chain or replace it, this type of treatment can help you stretch out the time between major cleanings.

Wax-Based Lubes

Another type of chain lube that is popular today is the wax-based lubes that are applied and left to dry. Although these need more frequent applications, they are among the cleanest lubes available in the market today. This type of lube, however, is not the best for wet riding, but they do work really well in dry climates.

Oil

And of course, there are those who prefer using oil on chains. Oil is natural and does a better job of fighting corrosion, and it doesn’t wash away when wet, which makes them a better choice for rainy climates.

Three-In-One Oil

Whatever you do, DO NOT USE THREE-IN-ONE OIL ON YOUR BIKE CHAIN! This type of oil is unsophisticated vegetable-based oil that will gum up your chain. This oil is not formulated for bicycle chains, so it doesn’t have the same lubricant properties as chain lube to protect against wear.

Used Motor Oil

Although it might seem like a frugal way to reduce waste and spending, you should avoid using used motor oil to lubricate your chain. The reason is that used motor oil contains fine particles of metal and acid formed from the heat of combustion that can do more harm to the chain than it protects.

How Do You Deep Clean A Bike Chain?

Every mechanic I spoke to has a different idea of what is the best way to clean and lubricate a chain.

But they all would agree that it’s better to wipe your chain down frequently and apply a little lubricant every few rides than to do a major deep cleaning, which requires the removal of the chain.

However, if the chain is so filthy that you feel you must remove it for cleaning, then you need to do so with care.

1. Start off with removing the chain from the bike.
2. Most agree that it’s best not to let it soak in a pool of solvent. Instead, use a large shallow pan and lay the chain in it.
3. Make sure you’re wearing rubber gloves and pour some solvent into the pan with the chain.
4. Start with a stiff-bristled brush to knock off the heavy stuff, then move on to a softer brush to clear away any remaining grit. 
5. Let it sit in the solvent for about 20 minutes.
6. Remove the chain from the pan and give it a quick rinse with some clean water, then dry it off with a rag.
7. Let it stand to allow any remaining solvent and moisture to evaporate. 
8. Re-install the chain on your bike
9. Give it a dose of your favorite chain lube onto the brushings and gaps where the inner and outer side plates meet.
10. Turn the crank backward a few revolutions to work the lubricant deep into the chain so it can coat the pins, which is where most wear occurs.
11. Finally, wipe any excess lubes from the outside of the chain with a dry rag.

Tip: Keep in mind that any chain assembled with a fixed connector should not be disassembled and re-installed more than once after its initial installation. Doing so repeatedly weakens the chain.

How To Remove Rust From Bike Chain?

Rust will not only look bad, but it can seriously affect the function of the bicycle chain.

Rust forms when metal is exposed to moisture, which causes iron atoms to leach out of the metal and react with oxygen molecules in the air – this compound is called iron oxide.

While most people will start spraying their chains with penetrating lube or oil, they are not very effective in removing rust.

However, it is possible to remove the rust from your chain by using an abrasive agent such as baking soda and vinegar.

How To Remove Rust On Bike Chain Using Baking Soda?

Baking soda is a great method to get rid of rust from bicycles since it is a mild cleanser that will not harm anything if done correctly.

Baking soda is a good all-purpose cleaner for kitchen surfaces that has been demonstrated to combat rust. It quickly dissolves rust and causes it to fade away.

Here’s how to use baking soda for minor to severe rust on your bicycle chain:

1. Drape the bike and the surrounding area with plastic trash bags or a canvas drop cloth.
2. Thoroughly clean the chain because dirt can interfere with the removal of rust.
3. Next, make a little bit of baking soda paste. Fill a bowl with baking soda and water (or lemon juice) and mix it together until it forms a paste. Tip: If your chain is heavily rusted, you can add more baking soda than water.
4. Apply the thick paste to a toothbrush and brush the chain thoroughly.
5. Leave the paste on the chain for 15 minutes to allow it time to set in to remove the rust.
6. Rinse the chain thoroughly with water, wipe it dry with a clean rag.
7. Re-install the chain back onto the bike.
8. Give it a dose of your favorite chain lube onto the brushings and gaps where the inner and outer side plates meet.
9. Turn the crank backward a few revolutions to work the lubricant deep into the chain so it can coat the pins, which is where most wear occurs.
10. Finally, wipe any excess lubes from the outside of the chain with a dry rag.

How To Remove Rust on Bike Chain Using Vinegar?

Vinegar is another outstanding rust-fighting cleanser that can be used on metal surfaces.

You can use vinegar mixed with water to remove rust from your bike chain without harming it. Vinegar is a great oil-cutting agent that will dissolve old lubricants and help penetrate into the metal.

Apply the solution to the chain, leave it on for 10 minutes, then rinse off. If any dirt remains, you can wipe it off with a rag.

Wipe the chain with a clean rag to dry off any excess moisture before applying new lubricant.

1. Drape the bike and the surrounding area with plastic trash bags or a canvas drop cloth.
2. Remove the chain from the bike.
3. Use a large shallow pan and lay the chain in it.
4. Pour some white vinegar into the pan with the chain. Be sure you are using white vinegar, which contains a substance called acetic acid, to combat rust.
5. Leave the chain in the vinegar bath for about 10 minutes.
6. Remove the chain and rinse the chain thoroughly with water.
7. Wipe it dry with a clean rag and reinstall the chain back to the bike.
8. Give it a dose of your favorite chain lube onto the brushings and gaps where the inner and outer side plates meet.
9. Turn the crank backward a few revolutions to work the lubricant deep into the chain so it can coat the pins, which is where most wear occurs.
10. Finally, wipe any excess lubes from the outside of the chain with a dry rag.

Conclusion

It’s time to stop treating chains like they are something you should avoid and start respecting them for what they are – a part of your bike that deserves proper care.

The most important thing to remember when caring for your bike chain is the old adage, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” A little bit of time and effort on your part will go a long way in ensuring that you have smooth-running, clean chains that last longer than they would otherwise. So stop neglecting your chain and take care of your bike chain today!

We hope this article has helped make the process easier.