How to Clean Schwinn Bicycles

Ignaz Schwinn and Adolph Arnold started what would become Schwinn and Schwinn Motorsports in 1895 . Since then, Schwinn has been a highly respected brand in the bicycle industry, making both road and BMX bikes. If you have a Schwinn bike, it's important to keep it clean and well maintained. Since the brand focuses on quality, it's likely that you will hold onto that bike for many years. An ill-maintained bike can be subject to rust, heavy scratches and other problems that can hurt performance.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

1/2-gallon bucket
Nonabrasive dish soap
Soft sponge
Cotton rag
Garden hose with a spray nozzle
Moleskin towel

Step 1

Flip your bicycle upside down so that the weight is on the tops of the handlebars and the seat. Turn on the hose. Use the pressure from the sprayer nozzle to remove heavy mud from your bike's tires. Make sure to get the mud out of both the tread and the spokes.

Step 2

Use your hose to fill the bucket three-quarters of the way. Add two squirts of dish soap (about 1 1/2 tsp.). Swish the bucket or stir the solution with your hands until there is a thick lather. Drop the rag into the bucket so that it is submerged. Wring it out and wipe down the frame of your bike. When the rag gets dirty, rinse it off with the hose. Then dip it in the bucket again as needed for more soap.

Step 3

Stand your bike up on its tires and lean it against a wall or ask a friend to hold it. Use the sponge to scrub the handlebars, pedals, chain and top of the seat. Rinse with the hose. If you have trouble getting the sponge into these areas, use a rough-bristled toothbrush instead. It should not scratch your bike.

Step 4

Dry your bike using moleskin towels, available at auto parts stores. Letting your bike sit wet for long periods can cause it to rust very quickly. You can also use the towel to buff your bike to a nice shine.

Tips & Warnings

If your bike's seat is leather, treat it with a leather conditioner at least once every two months. This will help to keep it both supple and fairly waterproof.

If your bike's chain sticks or makes a rubbing or squeaking noise, apply a couple drops of synthetic gear oil to it after you're done cleaning your bike.

Never use steel wool to clean your Schwinn bicycle. You could scratch both the metal and the paint.

Don't set your bike on its kickstand to clean it. The pressure from the hose could easily knock it over.

Article Written By Kate Evelyn

Based in Washington, D.C., Kate Evelyn has been writing professionally since 2000. Her articles have appeared in numerous publications, including "Elle" magazine, "Brass|CU" magazine and the "Credit Union Times." She holds a Bachelor of Arts in journalism from Western Maryland College.

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