If you like tinkering with your bike, but don’t like getting oil stuck under your fingernails what’s the answer? You can use latex gloves, but what if you’re trying to reduce your consumption of single-use plastic?
How about scratching at a bar or soap? We can’t claim credit for dreaming up this clever solution, but we’re keen to pass it on. Gently scratching at a dry bar of hand soap with your fingernails leaves a barrier against dirt that will easily wash away. Works as effectively for gardeners as it does for grease monkeys.
On the subject of cleaning, we are fans of Method multi-purpose cleaner which offers a cheap, quick, efficient and non-toxic alternative means of cleaning bicycles.
Method multi—purpose cleaner is aimed at kitchen use but it does a marvellous job of blasting through road grime and mud after a winter commute. We like it because the ingredients are naturally derived and biodegradable ingredients. it’s cleaners, derived from corn and coconut. As an added benefit, your bike will never have smelled better.
Win a bottle of Method multi-purpose cleaning spray
We have four bottles to give away so you can try it for yourself.
To enter the draw to win a bottle of Method cleaning spray, simply leave us a quick message at the bottom of this page.
The ethical choice
The ETA was established in 1990 as an ethical provider of green, reliable travel services. Over 30 years on, we continue to offer cycle insurance , breakdown cover and mobility scooter insurance while putting concern for the environment at the heart of all we do.
The Good Shopping Guide judges us to be the UK’s most ethical provider.
Paul M
Perfect time of year for bike cleaning too now spring is here.
Hugh Williamson
Ah ETA, there’s always Method in your madness!
Richard Scrase
Barrier cream?
Andrew
Soap-a-dope
Paresh
I rub hand cream into my fingertips for a similar effect – washes our easily.
Jamie J
For when grease isn’t the word..?
Chris Selkirk
I have used Method cleaners in the bathroom but never before considered them for cleaning my bike.
Great idea. Thanks
Rob
Happy to give it a try.
Toby James
I’ll look out for this on my next shopping trip.
Peter Clark
A clean giveaway rather than a clean getaway!
David
Rubber/latex (rather than silicone/nitrile) gloves are actually not a plastic, are a natural product and will compost or break down in the environment. Rubber is getting harder to find though as a significant number of people have an allergy to it.
Mark B
I’d like to give this a try
Roger Birchall
I recently sent my wife on a “bicycle mechanics” course for her Birthday, hey presto!!!, she can now do all those jobs on my bike and so my hands are always CLEAN!!, just kidding!!
If only!!!! . Would love to win some!
Howard cheesman
Clean bikes go faster. Honestly . . .
James
Soap and a nail brush get the worst of the mess away
Phil
Clean
Greg
Get your cleaning method right. Right!
Carol W
Must have clean hands!
Lance Woodman
Great to see this sort of advice
Darren C
I would love to give the spray a try, my bike needs some TLC after the long winter.
Francis Voon
I like this Method of cleaning!
Lynne
All this talk of keeping things clean is making me feel guilty about not getting stuck into that mucky post ride bike.
Sarah W
Clean kitchen, clean bike what more could a girl want?
Peter Chisnall
Sparkling
David Beacham
soap on a dope?
Kris
Great for a spring clean
Andy Brown
soap bar humbug ?
Ian Maclean
A clean methodology
James Russell
Oatmeal soap? Clean your bike and carb load for that big ride at the same time?
Anna Davis
Worth a try, YES PLEASE!?
Thanks ETA!
Gillian Watling
A great alternative to some over priced, well known brands!!
Gill
MARK
Nice idea ETA! (Whilst I’m not sure of its credentials as being naturally derived nor biodegradable, but you’ll also find bike cleaner in the cheapy high street chain stores, which I think is a £1 and works fine).
Lesley
Sounds great . Thks