Best Bike Chain Cleaner In 2023: Top 7 Reviews and Buying Guide

I tested 7 products and found Park Tool CG 2.4 Bike Chain Cleaning Kit to be the best overall bike chain cleaner set out there for most riders.

If you want your bike to stand the test of time, you need to take good care of your bike’s maintenance.

One of the most essential aspects of bike maintenance is keeping the chains clean, which requires a good chain cleaner and degreaser to get rid of all the dirt and debris that the chain accumulates with time and use.

In today’s guide, we’ll take a closer look at some of the best bike chain cleaners that you can use to keep your bike’s performance at the top level. Let’s dive right in!

See Also: Best Bicycle Grease For Bearings In 2023

Best Bike Chain Cleaner Overview

• Park Tool CG 2.4 Bike Chain Cleaning Kit — Best Overall Bike Cleaner Set
• Muc-Off Bio Drivetrain Cleaner — Best Biodegradable Bike Chain Cleaner
• Finish Line Shop Quality Bicycle Chain Cleaner — Best Bike Chain Cleaner/Lubricant Combo
• WD-40 Bike Cleaner and Degreaser — Fastest Chain Cleaner and Degreaser
• Ultrafashs Bike Chain Oil Lubricant and Cleaner Set — Best Budget Bike Chain Cleaner
• Pedro’s Pig Juice Chain Cleaner — Best Non Toxic Bike Chain Cleaner
• STA-BIL SPORT Bike Chain Cleaner & Lubricant — Excellent Protection Against Rust

Top 7 Bike Chain Cleaners Available on the Market

Here are some of our top picks on the market today!

Park Tool CG 2.4 Bike Chain Cleaning Kit — Best Overall Bike Cleaner Set

Park Tools cleaning kit is one of the most popular bike cleaning sets that you’ll come across on the market and for all the good reasons!

For starters, this bike set doesn’t only include the bike chain cleaner, but it also comes with all the needed cleaning tools to get the job done with relative ease! The kit includes the cleaning solution in addition to a gear brush and CG-2.4 cyclone chain scrubber.

The kit is designed to suit a huge range of derailleur standard bikes, with bristles that are capable of reaching the tightest spots for deep cleaning and dirt removal.

With this tool, not only will you be able to clean the chains, but you’ll also clean chainrings, rear cogs, chain keeper, and derailleur pulleys

Despite being a quick cleaner that melts away the greases, the cleaning solution is plant-based and environmentally friendly, so you don’t have to worry about the components of your bike, whether they’re made of carbon fiber, alloy, plastic, or rubber.

Pros

• A complete set that comes with all the necessary tools to help the cleaner
• An environmentally friendly formula that doesn’t harm bike components
• Capable of reaching all the hard to reach spots for a deep cleaning

Cons

• The bristle

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Muc-Off Bio Drivetrain Cleaner — Best Biodegradable Bike Chain Cleaner

Cleaning the sticky gunk that accumulates on the chains can be somewhat difficult for many chain cleaners, but not on the Muc-Off Bio Drivetrain Cleaner.

What I like about this formula is that it’s capable of removing all the muck from the chains whether by spraying it on the chains or by wiping them with a rag doused with this product.

Despite its outstanding capabilities of cutting through grime, the cleaner is completely plant-based and biodegradable. This means that it’s completely safe for the environment and won’t leave residue on the chains that will help in accumulating dust later.

The brilliant formula is developed in collaboration with the British giant INEOS, which is one of the largest companies in its field in the world!

Although this cleaner is capable of delivering excellent results on its own, you can combine it with the Muc-Off X-3 Dirty Chain Machine for the best results!

Pros

• A fully biodegradable alkaline formula that won’t damage bike materials
• Decently affordable for its extreme functionality
• The universal fit makes it compatible with all kinds of bikes

Cons

• Doesn’t come ready with a spray head attached, causing some leaks

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Finish Line Shop Quality Bike Chain Cleaner — Best Bike Chain Cleaner/Lubricant Combo

After cleaning your chains, you’ll typically need special oil to lubricate them for proper performance. Instead of going through the headache of finding the best lubricant for your bike chain, you can simply opt for this value pack from Finish Line!

The thing is, Finish Line is one of the most popular bike chain lubricant manufacturers out there, so you can rest assured that your chains and drivetrain will function at the top level after applying the long lasting dry lubricant.

As for the EcoTech cleaner, this one is efficient and capable of removing tough grime and grease thanks to its fast acting and powerful formula. Additionally, the chain cleaner comes with a cleaning tool that will help you get the job done in less than a minute.

However, the chain cleaner is not universal, and it should be used with caution with single-speed beach cruisers, as you’ll need the chains to be loose to thread the chains through the curved pathway of the cleaner.

Pros

• Complete cleaner set that comes with a degreaser, cleaning tool, and a lubricant
• Easy to use and gets the job done in about 60 seconds
• A decent price tag for the value it offers

Cons

• Not suitable for all kinds of bikes

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WD-40 Bike Cleaner and Degreaser — Fastest Chain Cleaner and Degreaser

When you hear the word degreaser, the first thing that comes to your mind is “WD-40”. This popular cleaner is used widely to lubricate and degrease a wide range of items.

However, using the original degreaser on bike chains is heavily disputed among the cycling community because it can damage the chain in the long run, and luckily, WD-40 released this Bike specific formula to settle the dispute.

The advanced formula used by this cleaner is easily second to none! It gets all the grease and grime off the chains in record time without needing any exhausting scrubbing.

However, the formula is completely free of acidic derivatives that are used by some other bike chain cleaners, which can affect the paint finish of the bike.

The cleaner comes in a pressurized aerosol can, which may be problematic for some users who prefer a more environmentally friendly product.

Yet, the main problem with this bike chain cleaner is that it doesn’t come in the package with a cleaning tool or a lubricant, so you’ll need to buy the WD-40 Bike Lube separately.

Pros

• One of the most powerful and penetrating degreasers on the market
• Safe on bike paint finish as well as other components
• Concentrated formula with heavy foaming, so the product is long lasting

Cons

• Doesn’t come with a lubricant

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Ultrafashs Bike Chain Oil Lubricant and Cleaner Set — Best Budget Bike Chain Cleaner

If you’re on a strict budget or you don’t want to spend a lot of money on your cleaning set, you should consider this value package from Ultrafashs.

What I like about this one is that it has nearly everything you’re going to need in order to get the job done. This includes a powerful degreaser that is capable of cutting through thick gunk and grime with a penetrating formula that is also biodegradable and safe for the environment.

In addition to the chain cleaner, the package also comes with a huge range of items, including a sprocket brush, scraper, chain scrubber, and a gear brush as well as a pair of gloves!

Moreover, the package comes with a wet lubricant to prepare your chains for performance when you’re done cleaning.

Of course, these cleaning tools are a bit flimsy, so they’re not reliable for those who clean their bikes regularly.

Pros

• A complete package with cleaner, tools, and lubricant
• Ideal for buyers on a limited budget
• Non-corrosive and biodegradable formula

Cons

• The cleaning tools are a bit flimsy

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Pedro’s Pig Juice Chain Cleaner — Best Nontoxic Bike Chain Cleaner

If you typically clean your bike in your backyard, you’ll know that many cleaning formulas out there are quite toxic and kill the grass, causing discoloration to the lawn where you clean the bike.

If you want to avoid that, you should consider Pedro’s Pig Juice Chain Cleaner. This one is specifically designed to work with Pedro’s Chainpig Cleaning Tool but you can also use it on its own.

The formula of this cleaner is quite inexpensive, making it a suitable alternative for those who aren’t big on spending lots of money on bike cleaning sets. Additionally, the cleaner comes with a one year warranty that adds more value to the product.

The only drawback of Pedro’s Pig Juice Chain Cleaner is that it’s not as fast as some high end options out there, so you’ll need to do a little bit of scrubbing in order to restore your chain cleaner to its shiny original state.

Pros

• Doesn’t contain toxic or corrosive chemicals
• Inexpensive alternative to high end biodegradable cleaners
• Backed with a 1 year warranty for a worry free purchase

Cons

• Takes some time and scrubbing to fully clean the chains

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STA-BIL SPORT Bike Chain Cleaner & Lubricant — Excellent Cleaner and Lubricant Formula

Last but not least, you might want to consider the brilliant STA-BIL Sport bike chain cleaner. This one doesn’t only clean your drivetrain and ensures that it’s free of gunk, but it also lubricates the whole thing, so you won’t have to do that manually.

Another unique aspect of this bike chain cleaner is that you can also use it on various parts of your bike, such as cable, derailleurs, and more!

The formula used in this cleaner is also designed so that it prevents rust from forming on the chains because it stays on the chains while using, which insulates them against moisture and corrosive elements.

However, I’d still recommend that you only use this “one solution fits all” cleaner on a basic cruiser bike and stick to advanced cleaners for premium models.

Pros

• A convenient option that cleans and lubricates the chains
• Prevents rust from forming on the metal chains
• Works in various parts of the bike, including the Derailleurs and cables

Cons

• Not suitable for high end bikes

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What to Look for When Buying a Bike Chain Cleaner

Now that you have a better idea about the best bike chain cleaners on the market, here’s a brief guide that walks you through the most essential aspects to consider before picking the right cleaner for your needs:

Components of the Cleaner

The components of the cleaner change from one brand to the other, as each one of them may have its proprietary formula.

Yet, it’s essential to know more about the content of the cleaner and whether it’s suitable for your type of bike.

The ideal cleaner should be alkaline-based so that it doesn’t damage the paint finish of the bike when it’s applied. The formula should also be quick drying and highly penetrating to reach every nook and cranny in the chains.

Additionally, some bike cleaners are only degreasers while others can be a degreaser as well as a lubricant, which adds to the value of the cleaner.

Safety on the Bike and Rider

One of the major problems with some industrial-grade cleaners is that they’re heavily corrosive and may damage the bike’s plastic, rubber, or carbon fiber components.

For that reason, it’s essential to make sure that the chain cleaner you’re using is optimized for cleaning bikes and safe for other bike parts.

Even better, you may want to opt for a biodegradable bike chain cleaner. These types of cleaners are completely disintegrated with time and leave no residue on the bike chains, which extends the chain’s life all the while being great for the environment!

Cleaning Tools Included and Ease of Use

Some chain cleaners come with the necessary tools needed to apply the degreasing solution, which adds to the value of the bike cleaner and makes it a better bang for the buck.

For instance, I loved the Ultrafashs Bike Chain Oil Lubricant and Cleaner Set because it came with all the necessary items for a deep bike chain cleanup, including cleaning solution, lubricant, scraper, sprocket brush, chain scrubber, and a gear brush.

These tools don’t only make the job a lot easier, but they also add the value of the chain cleaner and make it a better “all around deal”

FAQs

Are bike chain cleaners worth it?

Taking care of your bike is critical if you want to keep your bike in the best shape, whether it’s a simple cruiser or a high end racing bike. Since bikes typically accumulate a lot of gunk, dirt, and debris that stick to the lubricating grease from cruising around on different terrains.

To prevent these muck from affecting the bike’s performance and minimize the wear and tear on the bike’s chain and drivetrain system, it’s essential that you use chain cleaners.

These formulas remove dirt, protect from corrosion, and preserve the quality of your bike’s mechanics in the long run, making them a worthy investment to extend your bike’s life.

What are the best bike cleaning tools to use with the cleaners?

In addition to the cleaning solution, you may need a few tools to help you get the job done. For example, cleaning your bike with a cleaning solution may also require some scrubbing for a deeper cleanup.

Luckily, some of these tools are usually sold with bike chain cleaners. However, if want to buy them separately, you should consider quality options like:

• Ozzy Outdoors Bike Chain Cleaning Tool
• Anndason 8 Pieces Precision Bike Cleaning Tool Set
• BOBILIFE Bike Chain Cleaning Kit
• Sportneer Bike Cleaning Kit

How often should I clean my bike chains?

The answer to this question depends on various factors. For example, the frequency of using the bike can affect the rate at which you accumulate gunk on the chains.

As a rule of thumb, if you only ride your bike occasionally and on a paved road for a few miles, you can get away with cleaning the bike once every couple of weeks.

However, if you typically use the bike consistently, especially off road or in muddy streets, you may need to perform a quick clean after every trip as well as a deep clean once every week.

Wrap Up

There you have it! A brief guide that walks you through reviews of the best bike chain cleaners in addition to all the necessary details to pick the right one for your needs.

While there are plenty of great options to consider while picking a bike chain cleaner, I believe that Park Tool CG 2.4 Bike Chain Cleaning Kit is the best overall option to go with. Not only does it clean and degrease the chains effectively, but it also comes with cleaning tools to make the job a whole lot easier.

However, if you’re looking for an advanced cleaner that is biodegradable and affordable, you might want to consider Pedro’s Pig Juice Chain Cleaner. You can also combine this cleaner with Pedro’s Chainpig Cleaning Tool for even better results!