Cleaning an e-bike: tips to prevent damage

When you purchase an electric bicycle, it is important to properly maintain the bicycle. This extends the life of your e-bike. For example, it is important to regularly service your e-bike at the bicycle dealer. But regular cleaning of your bike is also part of good maintenance. This prevents dust and dirt from getting into sensitive parts.

In this article you can read what you need to keep your e-bike clean and how to quickly clean an electric bicycle in 5 steps.

What do you need to clean your electric bike?

A soft brush

To properly clean your frame from dirt, it is important to have a soft brush. Do not use a brush with hard bristles. This is because you damage the paint and the parts that are made of plastic.

Sponge or wash glove

When you are going to clean your e-bike with soapy water, we advise you to use a sponge or wash glove. A so-called kitchen sponge is extremely suitable for this. Even better is to use a wash mitt. With this wash mitt you can get to small nooks and crannies, which you normally can’t reach so quickly.

Soap with lukewarm water or a special bicycle cleaner

As mentioned before, you can clean your e-bike well with soapy water. Make sure that this water is lukewarm. Water that is too hot can cause parts to discolour. You can also use a special bicycle cleaner. This loosens dirt well and makes removing it a simple job.

Dry (hand) towel

Have you cleaned your bicycle with soapy water or the special bicycle cleaner? Then the next step is: drying your bike with a dry (hand) cloth. For example, use an old tea towel for this, which you can then throw away.

Optional cleaning agents

The cleaning agents below are not necessarily necessary, but they are useful to use once in a while while cleaning your e-bike:

• Chain cleaner: this loosens dirt and old oil in the chain.
• Chain lubricant: do you clean your chain yourself? Then it is important to grease your chain again. Use wet lube for this, because in the Netherlands it occasionally rains.
• Protective wax: with this wax you can protect your e-bike against dirt and prevent corrosion. Corrosion refers to undesired attack on metal. Rust is an example of this.

Cleaning your e-bike in 5 steps

Step 1: remove your battery from the e-bike

The first step is to remove your battery. It is best to wipe this with a damp (tea) towel. After all, you want to prevent water damage with electric bicycles.

Step 2: Wipe off coarse pieces of dirt with a soft brush

Have you removed your battery from your e-bike? Then wipe away the coarse pieces of dirt. Do this with a soft (and not a hard) brush. Look especially at dirt – especially mud and grit – that is around your fenders and around your bottom bracket.

Step 3: clean your e-bike with a sponge and soapy water (or special bicycle cleaner)

As mentioned before, it is important to use lukewarm water and not hot water in this step. This way you prevent discoloration. When cleaning your e-bike, work from top to bottom. You can easily reach the small cracks with a sponge or a wash mitt.

In this step it is important not to forget (the corners around) the frame and the nuts and bolts of your e-bike. Do not allow soapy water or bicycle cleaner to get into the brake pads, brake discs or wheel hubs. This is because there is special greasy oil here, which prevents these parts from wearing out. Your display and battery housing should not get too wet either.

Step 4: rinse e-bike

In this step, you rinse your electric bicycle clean with lukewarm water. You can also use your garden hose for this, if you have one. NB! Never use a pressure washer when rinsing your electric bicycle. This can damage your e-bike.

Step 5: dry your e-bike with a dry (tea) towel

Finally, it is important to dry your e-bike well with an (old tea) cloth. Especially when it is a bit colder outside, the water will not dry out quickly on its own. Proper drying prevents rust and corrosion.

Winter is coming. Do you want to properly prepare your e-bike for the cold temperature? Then read here what extra measures are needed for an e-bike in winter.

At Fietsvoordeelshop.nl it is possible to bring your e-bike for maintenance and repairs. View the different ones here service packages!