Green cleaning your wheels
Recent studies have raised concerns about cleaning product chemicals, calling some of them “Serial killers”. Norwegian researchers claim that regularly using house cleaning products could be as bad as smoking a pack of cigarettes a day.
The good news is that they can happily be replaced by natural and safer super dirt and grime busters. So rejoice, proud motorcycle owners: removing the most stubborn spoke stains without using harsh chemicals is possible and painless.You will need a beautiful bucket filled with hot water and 2 oz liquid Castile soap, some soda bicarb – one of the cheapest, most effective cleaners available – and white vinegar to increase the cleaning power of soda bicarb. This fabulous trio will fearlessly power through the oil, grease, dirt, brake dust and grime that accumulate on motorbike wheels, so they will shine once again.
Add an old toothbrush, a baby bottle brush or a special brush for wheel cleaning, some microfibre or cotton cloths, cellulose sponges, a spray bottle and you are ready for battle.
Never use a cloth – cotton or microfibre – or sponge after dropping them on the ground. The dirt picked-up will scratch your bike. Always use separate cleaning rags and sponges for different areas.
Take a deep breath, dip your brush in your bucket and zealously scrub the spokes and the rim. Once they are cleaned to your satisfaction, rinse thoroughly with water. If you encounter some resistance, mix equal parts soda bicarb and water and work it in with a microfibre cloth. Leave it to do its magic for a few minutes. Rinse it off. If you are not happy with the result, repeat the whole process.
For a diamond-like sparkle, get your best spritzer. Fill it up with half-water and half-vinegar. Shake the lot, spritz on your chromes and buff with a clean and dry microfiber towel, until they dazzle you. Dry with a soft cloth.
Please note that vinegar should not be used on aluminium alloys.
To wash the tyres, mix 2/3 baking soda with 1/3 water to form a thick paste. Work it into the tyres with a scrub brush. Push your bike a few metres to rotate the tyres and repeat the process. This will ensure they are fully covered with the mixture. Rinse off. Stand back, admire the result and smile.
It’s a SOFTUKI, the one and only soft bike.
In loving memory of Hattie Hammel, the Queen of Soft Sculpture.
