May you don’t know, the soil, sand, or dirt that gets on your bike chain will corrode your bike chain and decrease cycling performance. The best way is to remove those contaminants with a bicycle chain cleaner.
With a bicycle chain cleaner specifically, it only takes you a few minutes to get a clean and shiny bicycle chain.
We have experienced and recommended 13 of the best bicycle chain washers. Now, everything looks a lot easier.
Table of Contents
Why Should We Clean The Bike Chain?
The chain is one of the key components in a bicycle’s drivetrain. Just like people need to bathe every day, chains also need to be cleaned periodically. Regardless of how shiny your bicycle chain is after cleaning, I think you should be aware of the reasons why you need to clean your bike chains.
- Performance: If the bicycle chain works in the top conditions, it also positively affects the other parts’ performance. Of course, they will give better performance.
- Bicycle Lifetime: Cleaning a bike chain is one way to better protect the chain and ensure it lasts a long time.
- Smoothness: Chains that have too much soil, sand and dust prevent you from shifting quickly and smoothly. Thus, you need to clean it regularly, with the bike chain cleaner.
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Best Bike Chain Cleaners Comparison Chart 2021
Next, for convenience, I have recommended our list of the 13 best bicycle chain cleaners. Each product comes with specific needs for you easily to choose from. Take a quick glance and select a few intended products!
What Are The Best Bike Chain Cleaners To Buy?
I know that it takes time and effort to find the best bicycle chain cleaner. So I recommend 13 best bike chain cleaners to choose from if you don’t have a lot of time to consider.
- Best Overall: Park Tool CG-2.3 Bike Chain Cleaners
- Best Budget: Finish Line Speed Bike Chain Cleaners
- Best Hi-Tech: Muc-Off Nano Tech Bike Chain Cleaners
- Best Non-Toxic: WPL Bio-Solvent Bike Chain Cleaners
- Best Plant-Based: Pedro’s Pig Juice Bike Chain Cleaners
- Best Water-Based: IceToolz Bike Chain Cleaners
- Best Bio-Based: Park Tool CB-4 Bio Bike Chain Cleaners
- Best Value: WD-40 Bike Degreaser Bike Chain Cleaners
- Best Kit for Premium Quality: Finish Line Pro Bike Chain Cleaners
- Best Kit for Budget: White Lightning Kit Bike Chain Cleaners
- Best Safe: Simple Green Bike Chain Cleaners
- Best for Commuters: Finish Line 1-Step Bike Chain Cleaners
- Best Concentrated: Bike Medicine Golden Bike Chain Cleaners
Top 13 Best Bike Chain Cleaners Reviews In 2021
You have seen the comparison table, right? Do not rush to buy any bicycle chain cleaners, I think you should read more detailed reviews below to make the right decision.
WD-40 Bike Degreaser Bike Chain Cleaners
I can’t wait any longer to share with you about this wonderful bicycle chain cleaner. The WD-40 Bike Degreaser Bike Chain Cleaners offers great cleaning experiences for your bike.
The WD-40 Bike Degreaser is a reputable bicycle chain cleaner for dry, wet, or varying conditions. What’s more, the ingredients in the degreaser have been tested to ensure the safety of the bicycle components.
Do you know what the most outstanding feature of this product is? Fast and easy to use. With its exclusive formulation, this grease remover provides high lubricating performance.
It is very easy to use, just shake the bottle, remove the cap and spray a sufficient amount of foam onto the chain and wait. After about 1 minute, the dirt starts to soften, and you just need to spray it with water to remove them completely. You must be amazed at how shiny your bicycle chain is.
You know, I recommend the first WD-40 Bike Degreaser on the list because it’s efficient, versatile, and safe.
Pros
- Fast and easy-to-use
- High effective
- Use for any weather conditions
- Safe
Cons
- The solution is slightly diluted
Product Specs
| Manufacturer | WD-40 Bike |
| Model | Degreaser Bike Chain Cleaners |
| Weigh | 10 ounces |
| Highlight features | Fast and easy-to-use formula
High-performing lubrication For dry, wet, or varying conditions Safe for all bike components |
Finish Line Pro Bike Chain Cleaners
We can’t ask for more with a full set of bike chain cleaners like Finish Line Pro Shop Kit Bike Chain Cleaners. Think about it as a professional kit for cleaning and lubricating your bicycle chain.
The first advantage is a complete kit that includes 3 products: EcoTech Cleaner & Degreaser Concentrate, brush, and chain lube. The degreaser removes grease and dirt, the brush clamps directly into the chain for deeper cleaning, and the ultimate chain lubrication oil lubricates the chain for smooth operation.
Cleaning the bike chain becomes more efficient and quick with the three-brush rotating design and scrubber pads. Simply clamp it directly to the chain and brush it in less than a minute. 30-degree exit angle for easy removal of contaminating mess.
That’s not all. There is a powerful magnet at the bottom for you to collect metal debris and other hard dirt.
With this complete kit, you can quickly, conveniently and efficiently clean bike chains as you don’t need to remove the chain from your bike.
Pros
- Full of tools
- High effective
- Thoroughly cleaned
Cons
- Not biodegradable
Product Specs
| Manufacturer | Finish Line |
| Model | Pro Shop Kit Bike Chain Cleaners |
| Weigh | 4.2 ounces |
| Highlight features | Kit included: EcoTech Cleaner & Degreaser Concentrate, brush and chain lube
Three-brush rotating design and scrubber pads 30-degree exit angle Power Magnet |
Finish Line Speed Bike Chain Cleaners
If you are looking for a dry bike chain cleaner, Finish Line Speed Bike Chain Cleaners will give you the speed and efficiency you desire. Your bike chain will quickly shine in a matter of seconds.
With the turbo sprayer feature, it’s quick and easy to remove grease and dirt with just a few sprays. I think many people love this product with dry degreasing technology. It leaves no residue on the chain and dries quickly for instant lubrication.
This cleaner is also different from other products. The bio-formula is made from orange peel and soy extract. So not only does it effectively clean the chain, but it’s also non-toxic to you.
In particular, it’s flawed if I don’t tell you it is safe with plastic, paint or rubber so you can dilute or spray directly to clean any parts of the bike.
Pros
- Safe
- Correct
- Dry quickly
- Works well on a variety of materials
Cons
- The film is slightly thin
Product Specs
| Manufacturer | Finish Line |
| Model | Speed Bike Chain Cleaners |
| Weigh | 1.1 pounds |
| Highlight features | Non-toxic bicycle degreaser
Turbo sprayer Dry degreasing technology Rubber or plastic safe |
Finish Line 1-Step Bike Chain Cleaners
If you are confused by the complicated steps in the bike chain cleaning cycle, I am more than excited to introduce you to the Finish Line 1-Step Bike Chain Cleaners. This is a perfect product for those looking for a quick one-step cleaning product.
Finish Line 1-Step helps you to save maximum cleaning time, faster and simpler. After pouring a quantity of this cleaning solution onto the bicycle chain, it softens and rinses away dirt and hard residue. It also lubricates the chain with new lubricants.
With just one step, including clean and lube, you cannot service a bicycle chain faster than that with other products. This cleaner is available in both drip and aerosol for you to choose from.
I recommend this product to commuters, recreational cyclists, and those who lack time to maintain their bikes.
Pros
- Fast and convenient
- Time-saving
- Easy to use
Cons
- Do not clean thoroughly
Product Specs
| Manufacturer | Finish Line |
| Model | 1-Step Bike Chain Cleaners |
| Weigh | 4 ounces |
| Highlight features | Clean and lube in 1-Step
Available in both drip and aerosol |
Muc-Off Nano Tech Bike Chain Cleaners
What is most important when choosing a bicycle chain cleaner? Sure, it couldn’t be anything else, it was its cleaning performance. I bet you will be satisfied with the incredible cleaning power of the Muc-Off Nano Tech Bike Chain Cleaners.
This is not the fastest cleaner but it does provide excellent cleaning performance. This product is manufactured with state-of-the-art Nano Tech formula, the molecules in this cleaner penetrate deeply and remove all dirt on bicycle chains at a fast speed.
Just for a few minutes, look at how shiny your bicycle chain is. The ingredients in the Muc-off NanoTech cleaner have been tested and safe from other parts.
Of course, this gentle cleanser formula is suitable for all types of bikes, road bikes, mountain bikes, trail bikes, and more than.
Pros
- Hi-tech cleaner
- Works well on a variety of materials
- Better protection
Cons
- No portability
Product Specs
| Manufacturer | Muc-Off |
| Model | Nano Tech Bike Chain Cleaners |
| Weigh | 33.8 ounces |
| Highlight features | Nano Tech Formula
Safe on all parts Perfect for all types of bike |
Park Tool CG-2.3 Bike Chain Cleaners
Another modern cleaning kit that I am very excited to recommend to you is the Park Tool CG-2.3 Bike Chain Cleaners. You will enjoy it after reading the detailed reviews below.
Let me briefly introduce products in The Chain Gang system, including CM-5.2 Chain Scrubber GSC-1 GearClean Brush and 8 oz. bottle of ChainBrite. Obviously, it offers you a comprehensive bike chain cleaner with specific products for the steps.
I think you should know the ingredients in this bicycle chain cleaner. It is biodegradable and safe for the environment. It is admirable that Park Tool is such an eco-conscious producer.
Not only is it suitable for cleaning bike chains, but it is also suitable for cleaning all derailleur bikes and many 3-speed and coaster brake bikes. Because its formula is safe with all parts.
Pros
- Full tool
- Safe
- Works well on a variety of materials
- Environmental Protection
Cons
- A bit bulky
Product Specs
| Manufacturer | Park Tool |
| Model | CG-2.3 Bike Chain Cleaners |
| Weigh | 0,16 ounce |
| Highlight features | The Chain Gang includes: CM-5.2 Chain Scrubber GSC-1 GearClean Brush and 8 oz. bottle of ChainBrite.
Compatible with all derailleur bikes and many 3-speed and coaster brake bikes. Eco-friendly cleaner Safe on all parts |
Pedro’s Pig Juice Bike Chain Cleaners
For people who are sensitive to chemical cleaners, now, they can rejoice over the appearance of a plant-based bicycle chain cleaner, Pedro’s Pig Juice Bike Chain Cleaners. Of course, everyone should have such a safe cleaning product in their bike service.
The bike cleaning now does not require the use of harmful chemicals, and instead is a plant-based cleaner. This solution is safe for your health and friendly with the environment.
Many people have doubts about the cleaning performance of plant-based cleaning products but I claim that this is a highly effective cleaner. Just spray a little solution on the chain, in a few seconds, the dry dirt, oil, the soil will be washed. And your bike chain becomes as shiny as new.
I can’t give any more compliments to such a great product that is both effective and non-toxic.
Pros
- Natural
- Safe
- Versatile
Cons
- Inaccessible narrow corners
Product Specs
| Manufacturer | Pedro’s |
| Model | Pig Juice Bike Chain Cleaners |
| Weigh | 4 ounces |
| Highlight features | Plant-based
Safe on any material |
Bike Medicine Golden Bike Chain Cleaners
Maybe you are having difficulty cleaning parts that are in constant contact with dry impurities or bicycle chains that have not been cleaned for long periods of time. This cleaning requires a heavy-duty cleaner for high efficiency. I choose Bike Medicine Golden Bike Chain Cleaners.
Bike Medicine Golden Cleaner is a concentrated cleaner for the heavy-duty task. With its special formula, it is super powerful to destroy and remove any dirt quickly. You do not have to spend a lot of time and effort to use a brush to clean dry and hard stains anymore.
A concentrated cleaner, but it is not toxic. It is safe for users and biodegradable. It also does not leave dry residue and you can use water to completely wash away dirt, grease.
Of course, you can also dilute it in mild detergent requirements.
All difficult bicycle chain cleaning problems have been solved with Bike Medicine Golden Bike Chain Cleaners. Don’t worry because you have the best bicycle chain cleaner on the market today.
Pros
- Eco-friendly
- Safe
- Powerful
- Effective
Cons
- Inaccessible narrow corners
Product Specs
| Manufacturer | Bike Medicine |
| Model | Golden Bike Chain Cleaners |
| Weigh | 8.6 ounces |
| Highlight features | Heavy-duty cleaner
Non-toxic and biodegradable |
Simple Green Bike Chain Cleaners
During my testing of the best bike chain cleaner products, I discovered Simple Green 20-Ounce Bike Chain Cleaners. I feel very happy that I have found a product that is as mild, safe, and affordable as it, to recommend for you.
With its unique foaming formula, just spray a sufficient amount on the stains on the chain, the cleaning foam will work vigorously to clean all dirt, grease, soil, and sand.
One feature that you should probably know about this cleaner is its high safety. Simple Green bike chain cleaner is manufactured with 3-non: non-toxic, non-corrosive & non-flammable. You see, it’s not only safe for your bike parts, but it’s also safe for your health as well.
With that safe and gentle formula, it will work effectively on any material and surface. You can rest assured that it will effectively clean the bike chain without corroding or damaging any of your parts.
More than that, it also protects your bike very well.
Pros
- Unique formula
- Effective
- Use for all materials and surfaces
- Super safe
Cons
- Not biodegradable
Product Specs
| Manufacturer | Simple Green |
| Model | 20-Ounce Bike Chain Cleaners |
| Weigh | 20 ounces |
| Highlight features | Foaming formula
3-non: non-toxic, non-corrosive & non-flammable Works on all materials and surfaces |
White Lightning Kit Bike Chain Cleaners
Professional cyclists who regularly maintain their bikes would prefer a cleaning kit as it has specific tools. I continue to recommend to you a cleaning kit called the White Lightning Kit Bike Chain Cleaners.
This cleaner has two simple tools that are a bike chain degreaser and a brush. So this is a simple, convenient, compact and easy to use cleaning kit.
No need to waste time removing the chain from the bike, simply clamp the brush directly onto the chain, pour in the tool a little degreaser and it will clean the bike chain in less than 1 minute. In particular, the brush has a rotating three-brush design to ensure the cleaning of all links.
It’s great with such a toolkit that has so many advantages. I recommend this to be the chain cleaner that any cyclist should own to maintain his or her bike.
At least once a month, with this convenient and compact cleaner, you can extend the life of your bike up to 10 years and increase performance by 10 times.
Pros
- Full of tools
- High effective
- Thoroughly cleaned
- Fast
Cons
- Only use about 4 times
Product Specs
| Manufacturer | White Lightning |
| Model | Kit Bike Chain Cleaners |
| Weigh | 8.8 ounces |
| Highlight features | Kit including: Bike chain cleaner, rotating three-brush tool.
Clean without removing the chain Fast and easy to use |
Park Tool CB-4 Bio Bike Chain Cleaners
Do you believe a natural cleaner may effectively clean your bicycle chain? I do because I bought and experienced Park Tool CB-4 Bio Bike Chain Cleaners.
The most distinctive element of this bike chain cleaner compared to other products is its 100% natural ingredient. Undoubtedly, it is a plant-based detergent. It is not only environmentally friendly but also very safe for the health of users.
This natural bicycle chain cleaner is no less effective than other chemical products. But it needs a little help from a brush for a more thorough cleaning. This cleaner is biodegradable so it dries quickly to a glossy surface after cleaning is complete.
Of course, its natural ingredients are completely mild and safe with other materials and parts. You can freely use it to clean alloy, plastic, rubber, or carbon fiber parts without any damage.
Many people, including myself, tend to choose biological products because they are safe and environmentally friendly.
Pros
- Eco-friendly
- Safe
- Non-toxic
- Use for any materials or surfaces
Cons
- Inaccessible narrow corners
Product Specs
| Manufacturer | Park Tool |
| Model | CB-4 Bio Bike Chain Cleaners |
| Weigh | 16 ounces |
| Highlight features | 100% natural, plant-based degreaser
Biodegradable Compatible for alloy, plastic, rubber, or carbon fiber parts |
IceToolz Bike Chain Cleaners
I have been waiting a long time to introduce IceToolz Bike Chain Cleaners and you will be enjoying it soon. IceToolz Bike Chain Cleaners is considered as a mini combo for bike chain cleaning. It’s really efficient and convenient.
Other cleaners are usually bio-based, plant-based, … but this product is manufactured with a water-based formula. It is still a concentrated and powerful degreaser, ready to remove any stubborn dirt. However, this specially formulated is better for both the bike parts and the environment.
In this mini combo, there is also a 4-sided chain scrubber attached. It effectively aids to thoroughly clean all dirt, soil, sand, grease on the links. Should I reveal to you that the 4-sided brush design is an IceToolz exclusive?
Not stopping there, you will be surprised with an additional rubber band on the scrubber. Instead of holding it with your hands, you can hang it on the frame for a better cleaning effect and you also feel more comfortable.
Come on, it would be ridiculous if I keep complimenting on this product. I should give you some time to think about the IceToolz bike chain mini combo.
Pros
- Compact
- Portability
- Convenient
- High effective
- Safe
Cons
- The solution is slightly diluted
Product Specs
| Manufacturer | IceToolz |
| Model | Bike Chain Cleaners |
| Weigh | 7.2 ounces |
| Highlight features | Degreaser comes with 4-sided chain scrubber
Rubber band Water based degreaser |
WPL Bio-Solvent Bike Chain Cleaners
And, the final recommendation for this list of the best bike chain cleaners is the WPL Bio-Solvent Bike Chain Cleaners. Many cyclists prefer to maintain their bicycles with bio-cleaners over chemical products because they are gentle, safe, and environmentally friendly.
It is also a bio-cleanser with all-natural ingredients, but it is formulated with premium bio-based formula. This formulation has been studied by experts for a long time to create a powerful cleaning solvent to quickly remove dirt and grease.
This cleaner is biodegradable for stubborn dirt and builds up over time. In just a few seconds, look at your new shiny bicycle chain.
The WPL Bio-Solvent features a spray trigger design that allows detergent molecules to penetrate deeply into stubborn patches and rapidly destroy them.
This product is made from natural ingredients. So it’s non-toxic, safe for your health and the environment.
A plus of this bicycle chain cleaner is that it leaves a protective layer on the surface of the parts after being cleaned to provide better protection.
Pros
- High effective
- Eco-friendly
- Safe
- Correct
Cons
- Need a brush sometimes
Product Specs
| Manufacturer | WPL |
| Model | Bio-Solvent Bike Chain Cleaners |
| Weigh | 473ml |
| Highlight features | Premium bio-based formula
Biodegradable Non-toxic Spray trigger |
The Ultimate Guide To Choosing Best Bike Chain Cleaners In 2021
A bicycle chain cleaner is an important product in a bicycle maintenance kit. Therefore, we need to choose carefully so as not to damage the components on the bike. And I’m here to help you do that.
I will give you a few criteria that you need to consider before deciding to buy any degreaser.
Types of surface
To make sure you choose the perfect bicycle chain cleaner, it needs to be compatible with the type of surface you use regularly.
Some cleaners are manufactured for use only on specific surfaces and materials such as aluminum, steel, and other metals. Others work well on most surfaces such as metals, rubber, plastics, and paints. Thus, you need to look more at the degreaser you are going to buy to know if it will work effectively on what surface so as not to damage your items.
Better yet, you should choose to buy a product that is versatile, meaning that it works effectively on any surface.
Application type
Another equally important feature is the type of application. I also recommend that users take this criterion seriously.
Each product is used differently. Currently, there are common types of applications such as aerosol, spray, drip, etc. Each type of application has its own advantages and disadvantages.
Even so, I recommend the user to choose the spray as it is able to reach narrow angles to spray the solvent into the desired location correctly.
Type of cleaner
Don’t forget that you also need to choose a detergent that is suitable for the weather and other specific needs.
There are two types of cleaning agents mentioned in the list of best bicycle chain cleaners above: dry cleaner and wet cleaner.
Wet cleaner leaves a thin film after cleaning and you need to use water to rinse it off completely. This type of degreaser is ideal for rainy and wet weather as it is waterproof.
On the other hand, the dry cleaner will dry quickly after a few minutes of cleaning and leave no residue on the bicycle chain. The dry cleaning solvent is suitable for dry environments or where there is a lot of dirt, soil, and sand because it does not allow dirt to stick to the chain.
Brand
Bike chain cleaners from top brands are trustworthy and good quality. Because they are experienced in the manufacture of bicycle maintenance tools.
Therefore, I recommend that you choose bicycle chain cleaners from major brands. The products that I suggest in the above list are made from the world’s top brands like Park Took, Finish Line, White Lightning, and others.
Extra goodies
While maintaining your bike, you sometimes need to use other tools to clean the chain more effectively.
Instead of spending an extra amount of money to buy those tools, you might consider choosing a bicycle chain cleaning kit that includes grease cleaner and brush. This saves you time and money effectively.
Price
Price is not a factor that seriously affects the quality of the bicycle chain cleaner. Even so, high-quality products from top brands will cost a bit more.
If you are on a tight budget, do not worry too much as it does not affect the cleaning performance of your products much.
FAQs
What is the best bicycle chain cleaner?
Definitely, that choice is Park Tool CG-2.3 Bike Chain Cleaners.
Should I clean my bike chain after every ride?
That may not be the right cycle. Ideally, you should use a bike chain cleaner when you see the dirt on your bicycle chain.
It is difficult to give a specific frequency of cleaning because it also depends on many factors such as terrain, cycling frequency. Even so, you should clean your bicycle chain at least once a month.
Should I grease my bike chain?
Of course, many people argue that bicycle chains should be greased regularly or after each cleaning. Because, it helps you to shift gears quickly, smoothly, and accurately.
Can I use any degreaser on my bike chain?
You should use a bicycle chain degreaser. Because it ensures that the ingredients in the degreaser are suitable for the bicycle chain. Either the chemicals won’t corrode your bike chain.
What happens if you don’t lube your bike chain?
There are serious consequences if you don’t grease your bicycle chain. Obviously, the bike chain was dry, stiff, and it had trouble shifting gears. Even a bicycle chain fails quickly and it can cause other parts to fail.