Cleaning the chain on your bike is a key part of reducing wear, improving performance and showing love to your bike. This is the ultimate guide to cleaning bicycle chains, and likely contains more information than you bargained for.
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Your bicycle chain will wear for various reasons, but the key accelerant is grit within that grinds away the metal. While reducing wear through chain cleaning is certainly the factor that will save you money, you should also consider the efficiency that’s lost through all that abrasive friction.
Why should I clean my bicycle chain?
Colin Levitch / Immediate Media
Jason Smith, of independent testing facility Friction Facts, confirms there’s a measurable amount of efficiency lost from a dirty chain.
“The numbers can vary based on the ‘dirtiness’ of the chain, but on average, testing shows a dirty road chain can decrease efficiency by about 3 to 5 watts (at 250-watt rider output) – about 1 to 2 per cent of power loss,” he says.
“For example, say a properly cleaned and lubed chain consumes about 7 watts. The light road grit kicked up from a couple of ‘clean’ road rides can cost an additional 3 watts of frictional losses.”
Smith explains that number increases with the grit: “Riding on several road rides without cleaning or relubing can cost about 5 watts of losses. In extreme cases (MTB or cyclocross for example), we’ve seen a muddy chain add 12 watts of losses over baseline.
“When a chain is not properly cleaned and lubed, friction levels increase at the sliding surfaces of each chain link. At 95rpm with a 53t front ring, 40,280 chain link articulations occur every minute [an articulation is a link bending into or out of a ring, cog, or pulley] as the chain snakes through the drivetrain. Because of the high number of links constantly articulating, it is crucial to make sure the friction is minimised within the links.”
Many riders make the mistake of not degreasing their chains, prior to lubrication. If you lube a dirty chain, it will only continue to attract more contaminants and not be of particular benefit. You also run the risk of having a ‘chain tat’ if your leg comes into contact with a dirty chain on a ride. However, it’s better to lube a grease-covered chain prior to a ride than do nothing at all.
Should I take my chain off my bike to clean it?
Jonny Ashelford / Immediate Media
Everyone has a slightly different view on whether the chain should be on or off the bike for a thorough cleaning.
Removing a chain from the bike and shaking it in a jar of degreaser used to be common practice, but not so much anymore. With chains becoming more precise as further gears are added to modern drivetrains, our techniques for cleaning have had to adapt.
If your chain uses a joining pin to connect, rather than a quick-link, they are typically designed to go on once and then be removed only when worn out.
Calvin Jones of Park Tool expands on this, saying that “if the chain has a ‘connection rivet’, you invite creating a weak link every time you remove and install a new connection rivet. Even a master link is best left alone.
“The better master links… ‘click’ into place, and taking it off and on and off and on removes this feature. Again, you are creating a weak link.”
If your chain uses a reusable quick-link to install, then you’re welcome to remove your chain for cleaning and not worry about creating a potentially weaker link.
For those with (officially) non-reusable links,Shimano, SRAM and Campagnolo all recommend using a brand-new quick-link every time a chain is installed.
However, many riders re-use non-reusable quick-links with success, despite brands insisting against it. We have a detailed guide on quick-links that delves further into the topic.
The easiest way to clean a bicycle chain
If you don’t want to go to all the trouble of deep-cleaning your chain, cleaning it on the bike fairly quickly is certainly possible.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to degreasing, cleaning and lubricating your chain on the bike.
- If your bike is disc-brake equipped, you should think about covering your disc rotor or removing your wheel. If you’re not going to cover it, make sure you apply degreaser as far away from it as possible – where the chain meets the chainring underneath the driveside chainstay. Alternatively, you can use a chain-cleaning device or remove the wheel and use a chain keeper (more on these shortly).
- Spray a dedicated chain degreaser on the chain, back-pedalling to coat the entirety of the component. If using a chain-cleaning device, pour degreaser in until it reaches the fill line.
- Rub the degreaser into the chain with a brush or rag. It’s best to use an old rag or brush specifically for the drivetrain and have a clean rag to use on the rest of the bike, to avoid getting black marks over your sparkling machine.
- Wait five minutes, or however long the manufacturer recommends, before washing the degreaser off. In that time, you could clean the rest of the bike.
- Wash off degreaser using water.
- Wipe the chain with a rag or cloth until it is no longer black. If your chain is particularly dirty, you may need to repeat the degreasing process.
- Once there is no more black residue coming off the chain, dry it. You can use a dry cloth or rag for this, or if you’re lucky enough to own one, an air compressor. Don’t leave the chain overnight to prevent rust build-up.
- Lubricate the chain. We’d recommend a drip-on lube rather than a spray-on one. Firstly, this is to avoid getting lubricant on the disc brake rotor or caliper (if applicable) but also, by dripping the lubricant on one drop on each link, it gives you an opportunity to inspect the chain and will help you catch any issues, such as if there is a tight link or mis-pressed rivet.
Chain-cleaning devices and keepers

Tom Marvin / Immediate Media
The majority of bicycle maintenance product brands, including Park Tool and Muc-Off, recommend the use of a chain-cleaning device.
Here, the device includes rotating brushes that work the degreaser through the chain in a controlled manner as it is back-pedalled past. Experience shows they’re all pretty similar in function, and build quality is all that really separates them.
Jones takes it a step further and recommends the use of a ‘dummy hub’ (aka chain keeper) in place of the rear cogs.
This is done specifically to avoid running degreaser through your freehub and rear-hub bearings, and is common practice among WorldTour race mechanics too.
Another benefit is easy access to the derailleur pulley wheels, a notorious spot for gunk to build up. You’ll want to buy the correct chain keeper for your bike’s axle standard.
“After using a chain scrubber, with a degreaser, follow up with a second wash of warm soapy water. Using two different solvents flushes out any grit that is left,” suggests Jones.

Colin Levitch / Immediate Media
Smith agrees with Jones and Sampson that using a chain-cleaning device is the best answer if the chain must stay on. However, he warns of potential problems when doing so: “First, the chain cannot be submersed in cleaning fluid.”
The tension of the chain is another factor to be aware of, continues Smith: “Even though the tension is light [created by the rear derailleur cage spring], the positive tension does not allow the chain to go slack. A slacked chain opens up the sliding surfaces and allows cleaner to flow through the internals more freely than a tensed chain.”
Whether you use a stiff-bristled brush, a chain-cleaning device or the ugly sweater you got for Christmas, it’s best to do it outside. Chain cleaning is a dirty task and doing it over carpet or indoor floors isn’t advised.
Jones also warns against using harmful degreasers, stating that you shouldn’t use diesel, benzene, gasoline or acetone. There are plenty of safer and healthier options that will get your chain suitably clean.

Alex Evans
And don’t be tempted to use a power washer as a chain cleaner “unless you are ready to overhaul the bike at the same time,” cautions Jones – because these can strip the grease from your bearings if you point them in the wrong direction.
I can remove my chain – how should I clean it?
David Rome / Immediate Media
If you have a reusable masterlink in your chain and don’t need to touch that chain-breaking tool, you’re in the minority, but this means you can take that chain off and run it through a degreasing bath.
Jason Smith is all for cleaning chains off the bike. “We recommend removing the chain to properly clean it. A quick link such as the Wippermann Connex Link facilitates easy removal. The most effective method of cleaning is by placing the chain in a simple and inexpensive ultrasonic machine.
“The ultrasonic agitation does a great job of removing dirt and grit from the internals of the links. If an ultrasonic cleaner is not available, the chain can be placed in a sealed container with cleaner and shaken vigorously,” Smith suggested.
In our experience, using Simple Green in combination with an ultrasonic cleaner has proven effective at getting the chain clean and, most importantly, getting the stubborn grit out of the rollers. However, doing this on a filthy chain takes a number of five-minute cycles (or longer) before the chain is spotless.
If you don’t have time for this, scrubbing down the chain will get almost the same results as the ultrasonic cleaner and you can have it back on the bike far quicker.
If you want to speed up the process of using the ultrasonic cleaner,scrub the chain with a stiff-bristled brush to bring back the exterior sparkle, then run it through the ultrasonic cleaner. Once done, rinse it with water and then air dry with compressed air. You will then have a truly sparkling fresh chain.
Whatever you do, don’t leave your chain to soak for an extended period of time (days). There are some horror stories out there about degreaser corroding metal and causing surface cracks.
Can a chain be too clean?
Some people believe that cleaning a chain too much removes hard-to-replace factory grease from within the rollers. While it is important to ensure a chain is correctly lubricated, there’s little risk of a chain being too clean.
“We don’t feel a chain can ever be too clean, as long as it’s properly lubed after cleaning,” reports Smith. “In fact, when Friction Facts was in the business of treating chains [the UltraFast Optimization process acquired by CeramicSpeed] we stripped the chain completely using heavy solvents. The goal was to achieve a bare metal surface, prior to the lubrication treatment.”
We asked Jones the same question, for which his reply was simply: “No, but at some point, you are cleaning just for the fun of it.”
Once the chain is clean, Smith warns not to wait too long after cleaning before applying lube: “This minimises oxidation of a dry chain.”

Friction Facts
So what about the lube itself? Are factory-applied ones superior?
“We’ve debunked the claim that aftermarket lubes can’t get as deep into the chain as factory-applied lubes,” says Smith. “Based on the friction decay seen during testing, it takes one minute or less for a drip lube to fully penetrate the internals of a rotating chain.”
Smith says he’s done many tests on chains with factory lubes and aftermarket ones: “Some factory lubes are faster than other factory lubes, and we’ve even seen a 5-watt swing between the fastest and slowest aftermarket lubes. However, in no case have we ever seen a factory lube outperform the fastest aftermarket lubes.”
Alright, so it’s clean. Now what?

Simon von Bromley / Immediate Media
“Part of the total cleaning process is re-lubing. Choosing a high-efficiency chain lube is the easiest and least expensive way to decrease friction in a drivetrain,” says Smith.
According to Smith’s testing, there’s up to a 5-watt difference between the top-performing and lowest-performing drip lubes. “Some of the top-performing drip lubes we’ve tested are Squirt Lube, Lilly Lube, Rock-N-Roll Extreme and Morgan Blue Rolls Pro.

Simon Bromley / Immediate Media
“Paraffin wax blends (such as Molten Speed Wax) are generally faster than drip lubes, but the application is more complex. As an option, a few companies are now providing paraffin wax optimised chains, ready to go,” he says.
For more on how to lube your chain, check out our in-depth guide to the best chain lube.
Some products claim to be an all-in-one cleaner and lube, but we’ve found these to be too thin for proper lubrication over longer rides. However, the practice is the same with any lube – wipe off the excess.
Smith agrees with such practice, stating that it’s better to lube over a dirty chain than not lube at all.
“At a minimum, a rider should re-lube the chain prior to every ride, even if they are re-lubing over a dirty chain. For efficiency, it’s better to re-lube over a dirty chain than do nothing at all,” suggests Smith.
If you follow up this advice with running the chain through a clean rag, you’ll likely stay on top of many dirty chain woes.
Prevention is perhaps the best thing in order to be lazy. Jones suggests: “First, use less oil as you lubricate. Don’t soak a chain in lube. Use a drip lube and put a drop along each joint, each link across the roller. Hosing your chain with spray certainly gets lube there as well, but it also gets it all over side plates, making the chain a dirt collector.
“It takes more time to lube each and every rivet but it also lets you inspect each one, and that will help you catch that ‘weak link’ of a burred, bowed or bent side plate, a mis-pressed rivet and a tight link,” Jones adds.
The laziest way to clean a filthy chain is just to replace it. Here, Jones offers the simple advice to measure for chain wear before each cleaning – there’s no point wasting time on a worn chain.
Once a chain is showing signs of wear, we pull the old cassette and cranks off the bike and give them a proper cleaning in a parts washer. Doing this provides a nice welcome for a fresh chain.
Should I wax my chain?
Immersion chain waxing is another option for the most fastidious of riders. It involves fully submerging a chain in a pot of melted wax. A waxed chain does a great job of resisting wear-increasing contaminants and it also results in one of the most efficient solutions. However, there’s a fair amount of work involved in immersion waxing a chain.
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Senior technical writer Simon von Bromley has curated a full step-by-step guide for the process.
FAQs
Do you really need to clean bike chain? ›
Keeping your bike chain clean and lubed is the best way to extend the life of your drivetrain, keep your bike shifting smoothly, and save money in the long run. And the best part is, you can do it all at home with the right supplies and some basic knowledge.
Why is it important to clean bike chain? ›A clean bike chain isn't just for aesthetics—keeping your chain clean will help it perform better, run quietly, and prolong its life. Plus, it'll also keep those dreaded grease stains at bay.
What is the easiest way to clean chains? ›Easy Drivetrain Cleaning
Just backpedal your chain through a clean, lint-free rag. This is good to do anytime, especially before you re-apply lube. In this quickest of methods, simply wrap the chain with a clean, lint-free cloth, and then backpedal the drivetrain through it to wipe off the exterior muck.
The most effective method of cleaning is by placing the chain in a simple and inexpensive ultrasonic machine. “The ultrasonic agitation does a great job of removing dirt and grit from the internals of the links.
Is WD-40 good for cleaning bike chains? ›Is WD-40 good for bike chains—summary. In summary, WD-40 is great for cleaning and degreasing your chain, but doesn't work well as a lubricant. It will provide some small amount of lubrication, but nowhere near enough for your bike chain to run smoothly. It's best to use a high-quality, bike-specific lubricant instead.
Should I wipe my bike chain after every ride? ›A clean chain is as critical as a properly lubricated one. Ideally, chains should be thoroughly cleaned after each and every ride. Unfortunately not many of us have the time to do this, but even a quick wipe with an clean rag can make a huge difference.
Should I lube my bike chain after every wash? ›Lubricate the chain regularly and after each cleaning. Before lubrication, the chain must be dry. Always lubricate only the moving parts of the chain. In dry conditions, remove excess lubricant with a cloth.
What is the benefit of cleaning chain? ›The reason for cleaning a chain is that it significantly reduces drive train wear.
How do I keep my bike chain from rusting after cleaning? ›Lubricate the Chain
Lubricant acts as a barrier between the bike's chain and the exterior elements (including moisture). Therefore, you should get into the habit of applying a high-grade lubricant to your chain regularly. As long as there's a layer of lubricant over the chain, it shouldn't rust.
Absolutely! Fill a small bowl with hydrogen peroxide—just enough to fully cover the piece you wish to clean. The solution will kill all the bacteria that may be on the surface. Leave the jewelry in the peroxide for about 15–20 minutes.
Can I use dish soap to clean bike chain? ›
You can use hot water with dish soap, a solvent or a degreaser. Step 2 Place the removed bicycle chain into the pan or plastic tub. Soak the chain for one to two minutes. Step 3 Remove the chain from the cleaning solution.
How do you clean a chain and make it shine? ›Use soap and water
Soak your chain for a few moments in a mixture of hot water and Marseille soap. Then gently rub your jewelry with a soft cloth. You can use a soft toothbrush or a cotton swab to clean the most interlocking links. Then rinse with clear water and dry.
It really kind of depends on the size of your bike and the amount of rust that has built up. I recommend soaking your chain in a vinegar bath for about 12 to 24 hours. If there's still a lot of rust leftover, scrubbing would be the easiest way to get the job done.
Can I use Dawn to degrease bike chain? ›Here's the short version: Dish soap is the best item for cleaning bike chains. It breaks down grit and grime without being too abrasive, and without completely removing the necessary grease on the chain.
Is 3 in 1 oil good for bike chains? ›Chain Lubricants
I don't recommend using either motor oil or 3in1 oil to lubricate the chain. Motor oil is too heavy and won't fully penetrate the rollers, and 3in1 oil is vegetable based and will gum up the chain.
- Normally every 100-150 miles or once a week if you are riding most days on pavement in dry conditions. ...
- For mostly dry riding on pavement, use oil-based lube.
With chain lubrication, less is definitely more.
Over lubricating your chain, on the other hand, is also bad for your chain and will annoy your bike mechanic. Excess lube attracts dirt and dust and creates gross buildup on your drivetrain. This can actually wear out your drivetrain faster than a dry chain!
With the chain off the bike, you can leave it to soak overnight in degreaser, before giving it a thorough scrubbing with a toothbrush. Or you can put it in an old water bottle full of degreaser and shake it clean.
How long do you leave lube on a chain before wiping? ›Therefore after lubing excess oil needs to be removed. To do this wait for 5 minutes after oiling the chain, turn the drivetrain over a few times then use a dry rag to wipe off any excess. After waiting for 5 minutes use a clean, dry cloth to dry the chain.
What kind of degreaser to use on a bike chain? ›The simply named WD-40 Bike Degreaser is safe for cleaning and degreasing bikes. Not only does it work quickly and effectively but because it's in a pressurized can it's even more effective on its own. Just spray the part needing to be cleaned from close up and you'll probably get all the dirt off without more work.
What happens if you dont lube bike chain? ›
Without Bike Chain Lube: A dry chain will let out an ear-piercing squeal and won't shift smoothly. Eventually, it will rust, and it could snap midride. Lube It: Soak a clean rag with degreaser, such as Pedro's Oranj Peelz Citrus Degreaser.
How do I know if my bike chain needs lube? ›An easy way to identify if you chain needs lubrication is if it starts to squeal or squeak and is not smoothly shifting. A bike chain lubricant will help to reduce mechanical resistance and prevent wear and tear from rust, dirt, and grime.
Is baby oil good for bike chains? ›Putting anything other than bike lube on your components can cause them to corrode faster. I've had customers tell me they've used motor oil, baby oil, coconut oil, vegetable oil, etc. Sounds like a good idea right? Actually it's not, it ends being more work to clean up since it picks up more dirt onto the drivetrain.
Is Cooking Oil OK for bike chain? ›While lubing your chain with vegetable oil will work for the short term (it is oil after all), it's really not advisable. It will gum up your drivetrain more quickly than a purpose-made lubricant, attract more dirt, and is better left in the kitchen.
Is chain wax better than lube? ›Deciding Whether Lube or Wax is Best for You
If you're going to be riding in especially wet, dusty, or dirty conditions, or if you prefer a lubricating agent that's long-lasting, then chain wax is probably the best option for you. For the average road-rider, we recommend chain lube for its expediency.
- Cleanliness promotes mental clarity.
- Regular handwashing can prevent the spread of infections.
- A clean environment automatically boosts our self-confidence.
- Cleanliness gives a fresh and good look to our surroundings.
Common sense will tell you that a clean chain is faster than a dirty chain – but exactly how much faster? Depending on the chain and its level of cleanliness, various testing protocols have shown an average loss of one to two per cent in power at a moderate 250w output.
What is the importance of using cleaning? ›By safely and effectively removing soils, germs and other contaminants, they help us to stay healthy, care for our homes and possessions, and make our surroundings more pleasant. Regular cleaning and disinfecting can do a good job of removing allergens and germs, helping to prevent illnesses and promote wellness.
What home remedy removes rust from chains? ›- Spread the paste over the rusted area.
- Leave to soak for 15 minutes.
- Use steel wool or an old toothbrush to scrub away the paste.
- As you clean the paste away, you should see the rust come off from the metal of your bike.
Chain care is crucial. A dirty and rusty chain makes you work harder and is bad for the bike. Since most bike chains are often exposed to grime and the elements, it doesn't take much for a good chain to go bad. Chains need to be lubricated from time to time, but don't just dump oil onto a dirty chain.
Does vinegar remove rust from chains? ›
Baking soda can also be mixed with some vinegar to remove rust from your necklace chain. Soak the article in the mixture for a couple of hours, followed by rinsing it thoroughly with water. You will notice that the rust will come off easily.
Can I use isopropyl alcohol to clean my chain? ›Spray or Wipe Solvent on Your Bike Chain
With your bike in position, apply solvent (something like WD-40 or isopropyl alcohol) to the chain.
Mix equal amounts of baking soda & salt and then apply it to the hot water. Submerge your jewelry in the solution for 3-5 minutes. Rinse your jewelry clean with running water. Buff your jewelry dry with a soft, cotton cloth.
Can I use Dawn to wash my bike? ›Dawn cleans and cuts grease better than many of the bike-specific soaps, and other dishwashing liquids, which is why it's preferred by many bike mechanics, and dedicated riders. Dawn is easy to find, affordable, and it's just plain effective in cleaning your bike. However, any standard dish soap will get the job.
Is Dawn soap a good degreaser? ›Degrease cabinets.
Dawn's grease-cutting power works just as well on cabinets coated in cooking grease as it does on dishes. Just squirt some on a wet sponge, lather up, and wipe the grime away.
WD-40 Specialist® Bike Chain Lube is an all-conditions lubricant that protects bicycle chains in dry, wet, or varying conditions. The fast and easy-to-use aerosol spray helps prevent squeaks and extends the life of the chain.
How do I make my chain white again? ›- Use soap and water. Soak your chain for a few moments in a mixture of hot water and Marseille soap. ...
- Use baking soda. ...
- Use white vinegar. ...
- Use lemon juice. ...
- Use toothpaste. ...
- Use water and rubbing alcohol. ...
- Use olive oil.
For removable parts such as the bike chain, take them off and soak them in a bucket of vinegar. Leave to soak for 15 minutes. Using your garden hose, ensure you thoroughly rinse off the vinegar and scrape off the loose rust. N.B. Vinegar can continue to corrode the metal of your bike if not properly rinsed off.
Is dish soap good for cleaning bike chain? ›Dish soap is the best item for cleaning bike chains. It breaks down grit and grime without being too abrasive, and without completely removing the necessary grease on the chain.
Can you use rubbing alcohol to clean a chain? ›Apply a little alcohol or WD-40 to a clean rag and simply wipe the accumulated crud from these parts or use the brush to get at them. The hardest part is getting down in between the small chainrings.
Can I use hydrogen peroxide to clean my chain? ›
Absolutely! Fill a small bowl with hydrogen peroxide—just enough to fully cover the piece you wish to clean. The solution will kill all the bacteria that may be on the surface. Leave the jewelry in the peroxide for about 15–20 minutes.