How to Clean and Lubricate Your Bike Chain
Written by: Rémy Rossi | February 15, 2025 | Time to read 5 min
Cleaning and lubricating your bike chain is a healthy habit that will keep your electric bike working at its best. Learn about this easy at-home maintenance task below.
More about the Author: Remy Rossi
Rémy Rossi is a bike writer, mechanic, and educator who got his start in community-based bike shops and co-ops. With a decade in the industry, he still wrenches on bikes when he can and plays bike polo on a fixie.
I’ll clue you into the simple steps of how to wash and lube a bike chain so you can make it a habit. Hear that? It’s your bike thanking you in advance.
How often do you need to clean your chain?
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A crucial part of bike maintenance
When I was in middle school— commuting to and from school daily— my only bike maintenance know-how was replacing an inner tube. I hadn’t been cleaning my chain and I thought the normal color of bike chains was black or a very dark grey— that is, until the first time I cleaned my chain and discovered the shiny silver metal underneath all that accumulated grime.
If you stay on top of chain maintenance, you can get away with a quick wash and wipe-down followed by lube after every few rides. If your chain needs more TLC, however, you’ll want to get the degreaser out and do a deep clean— all cyclists will need to do this every once in a while anyway.
But, of course, if you ride a bike with a belt-drive system instead of a traditional chain, you won’t need to lube it. Belt-drive electric bikes require less drivetrain maintenance because of the durable and long-lasting polymer belt that works with internal gear hubs and won’t ever rust! For those of us sticking with the tried-and-tested chain, regular cleaning sessions will do a whole world of good.
Items you’ll need
- Bicycle degreaser
- Bike chain lubricant
- Toothbrush or bike cleaning brush
- Dry cloth or rag
- Soapy water
How to clean and lube your bike chain
1. Degrease the chain
Spray the chain, cassette, and chainrings with a bicycle degreaser. This solution helps break down the grease and grime that’s caked onto the metal parts, allowing you to brush it away. Leave it to soak in and work its magic for a minute— you can clean other parts of the bike in the meantime.
2. Use a brush to degrease the chain
Some riders use a toothbrush and others use a larger bike-specific brush. Work those bristles into the cassette cogs, derailleur jockey wheels, chainring teeth, and chain links. Gunk that’s left in those areas will just work its way back onto the chain if left unattended. It’s always very satisfying to remove the grime that builds up on the two derailleur jockey wheels.
3. Clean the chain with soapy water and rinse
4. Select the appropriate lubricant
5. Apply the chain lube
6. Wipe off excess lube
Take a dry, clean rag and wipe off any excess lube left on the chain.
Key Takeaways
- Regular Chain Maintenance Improves Performance: Cleaning and lubricating your bike chain regularly prevents wear, enhances performance, and extends the life of your drivetrain.
- Proper Tools and Techniques Matter: Using a bike-specific degreaser, brushes, and the right lubricant. Applying lube correctly— only on the rollers and wiping off excess— prevents dirt buildup and keeps the chain running smoothly.
- A Simple Habit with Big Benefits: Staying on top of chain maintenance is easy and rewarding. A well-maintained chain improves your ride quality and reduces costly repairs.
