spectastic

I'd just like to get a quick overview of what people use for cleaning their bikes. I've realized at this point that detergents and/or soap water don't work nearly as well as organic solvents such as paint thinner or gasoline. So I'm wondering what people use, why, and how they dispose of the garbage.

thanks

FBinNY 

I use petroleum solvents exclusively for this job, but there's no disposal issue, because I save and reuse the solvents. I have three storage jars; 1st wash which is fairly dirty, rinse, which is pretty clean, then final rinse which is just like new. The particle dirt settles over time, so I can always decant fresh solvent for use, then return it to the jars.

As the solvents get dirtier, I move them down toward the dirty end, and replenish the final rinse jar with new solvent.

So far, over 50 years, I've never had to dispose of any solvent because attrition and evaporation do that for me, though I have had to dump some solid crud from time to time. I pour off the solvent, dump the crud onto newspaper, let it dry and dispose with the household trash.

korbjonathan

we use all simple green to wash the bike and its parts. works awesome

spectastic

I've used simple green. but it doesn't seem to work on the crummy parts on the inner crevices of the chain unless you drown it in a bath or something, which I think would be more cost effective with solvents than detergent.

dsbrantjr

Please do not ever use gasoline for anything other than motor fuel. It is highly flammable, its vapors are explosive and will travel a long way to an ignition source. In addition it is toxic to breathe and by skin absorption. There are safer alternatives available.

dedhed

I dump it in my drain oil that goes to the dump for recycling

3alarmer 

+ ...50/50

spinachface

I like to use lemon juice for all of my stationary parts on my bike (levers, frame, seat post) and usually get everything else with either just water or sometimes water with just a hint of household cleaner (simple green, etc.). The lemon juice does a good job if you get any rust on your bike as well!

GeneO 

Like others.
Odorless mineral spirits. I recycle and use it again. After cleaning the chain I pour it into a small jar. When the crud settles to the bottom, I transfer the clean OMS to a taller jar, and use the taller jar for the chain cleaning next time.

ThermionicScott 

My chain is the only part I clean with mineral spirits, and like Francis, I've never had to "dispose" of it -- you just store it in jars after using and let the crud settle out until you need to use it again. Everything else gets rubbing alcohol, water-based degreaser, soap and water, or whatever else is convenient. I don't put a high priority on having a shiny spotless bike.

Mark Kelly 

Well you have disposed of the solvent, you've just done it by emission to atmosphere. Not the most environmentally friendly way of do so.

I would imagine, however, that in NYC you are a net 0.0000001% of the total hydrocarbon emission problem. I wouldn't lose any sleep over it.

ThermionicScott 

This doesn't seem to bother the people who lube their chains with WD-40 (which is mostly volatile solvents, and then needs to be reapplied often) either.

FBinNY 

I don't lose any sleep over it, since I'm still working with most of the 1 gallon I bought over 20 years ago. OTOH- folks who try to be environmentally friendly might wonder where their multiple gallons of dirty detergent/water mix goes.

RandomTroll

Orange oil works well for me, smells good, isn't really toxic (can make skin light-sensitive for some people).

You have to make sure to buy pure citrus oils. Lots of stuff that claims to have orange oil either has only enough for the scent, the rest water, or the rest the regular organic solvents. I buy De-solv-it.

I've seen some stuff advertised as safe, Pedro's?, but never used it.