Anything when maintained well functions well and lasts longer. And the same is true when it comes to your favorite mountain bike.
As your MTB bike parts (especially the chain, gears, and cassette) get dirty over time, it may obstruct your performance.
The good thing is that, unlike other vehicles, your bicycle does not need expensive maintenance. You just need to set aside 30 minutes every weekend to get the dirt settled on the chain and movable parts off.
For overhauling, you will require a bit of patience and the right tools. But what are those tools and what precautions should you take while using them?
Let’s check them right below…
Best Bike Chain Cleaner Tools
*At no extra cost to you, Ultrasonic-Cleaners.org may earn compensation, if you make a purchase through links on this page.No matter whether you use your bike for leisure riding, daily commuting, or racing, you need to use the right cleaning tools to clean the parts and keep your bike in tip-top condition for longer without getting wear and tear quickly.
Some of the best bicycle chain cleaner tools you can use for effective maintenance and cleaning are as below. These are not too expensive and can save a good deal of your time as well.
1. Vevor Ultrasonic Bike Chain Cleaner
The VEVOR Commercial Ultrasonic Cleaner 6L is one of those machines you buy thinking, “Okay, let’s see what it can do,” and then it quietly becomes the MVP of your workshop.
With a solid 40kHz frequency, a digital timer, and a built-in heater, this VEVOR Ultrasonic Cleaner doesn’t just clean—it rescues parts you thought were destined for the scrap bin.
Whether you’re working on watch components, industrial parts, or using it as an ultrasonic cleaner for bicycle chain maintenance, it delivers spotless results with almost no effort from your side.
Pair it with a good ultrasonic chain degreaser, and you’ll wonder why you ever scrubbed anything by hand.
Key features of this unit include:
- 6-liter stainless steel tank – roomy enough for multiple tools and medium-sized parts
- 40kHz ultrasonic frequency for deep, precise, and even cleaning
- Adjustable digital timer and heater for customized cleaning cycles
- Thickened inner tank for durability and long-term use
- Sturdy handles and anti-slip feet for safe, stable operation
- Ideal for jewelry, watches, carburetors, injectors, dental tools, and more
In short, the VEVOR 6L cleaner is powerful, affordable, and surprisingly addictive—you’ll start cleaning things just to see how shiny they get. Perfect for professionals and tinker-happy DIYers alike.
2- Finish Line Bike Chain Cleaner
The Finish Line Shop Quality Bicycle Chain Cleaner is one of those rare tools that makes you wonder why you ever struggled with messy chain scrubbing in the first place.
Clip it on, roll the pedals, and suddenly your greasy, road-grimed chain transforms like it just came back from a spa day.
This heavy-duty bicycle chain cleaner kit is fast, efficient, and surprisingly satisfying—especially for riders who don’t want to spend half their weekend cleaning their drivetrain.
This little gadget works brilliantly with EcoTech Cleaner & Degreaser Concentrate, and the included chain lube means you’re ready to ride smoother than ever.
Whether you’re prepping for a big ride or giving your bike some overdue love, this cleaner makes the job almost enjoyable. Almost.
Key features include:
- Heavy-duty bicycle chain cleaner paired with EcoTech cleaner, degreaser concentrate, and chain lube
- Clips directly onto the chain—no removal required
- Three-brush rotating design with scrubber pads cleans thoroughly in under a minute
- Smart 30-degree exit angle keeps splatter and mess under control
- Built-in magnet traps metal filings and grime
- Enables quick one-minute cleaning without taking the chain off
For cyclists who value clean, smooth shifting without the usual hassle, this tool is a must-add to your maintenance kit.
3. Precision Bicycle Cleaning Brush and Scrubber
The 8 Pieces Precision Bicycle Cleaning Brush Tool Kit is like giving your bike its own full-body spa treatment—minus the cucumber slices.
Whether you ride a mountain beast, a sleek road machine, a city commuter, or even a folding bike, this kit tackles grime from every angle with surprising efficiency.
No more poking around with an old toothbrush hoping for the best—these bicycle cleaning tools mean real business.
The standout is the professional bike chain scrubber, which clips right onto your chain for a quick, satisfying clean. Add a splash of degreaser, pedal counterclockwise, and watch the gunk disappear.
And with everything from a tire scrubber to a tapered detail brush, sprocket tools, and even a bike-cleaning mitt, every nook and cranny gets the attention it deserves.
Key features of this bicycle scrubber include:
- Complete 8-piece kit: chain scrubber, chain brush, tire scrubber, tapered detail brush, wheel brush, sprocket scraper, sprocket brush, and cleaning mitt
- Works with all bicycle types—mountain, road, hybrid, BMX, city, and folding bikes
- Chain cleaner clips on for easy use; freewheel bikes can be cleaned by simply pedaling
- Multiple brushes designed to reach tight, tricky, and grimy areas effortlessly
- Quick chain-cleaning process: add degreaser, hold scrubber, pedal counterclockwise
- Doubles as a general household cleaning kit when you’re off the bike
For riders who want a cleaner bike without the drama, this toolkit delivers solid value and surprisingly satisfying results.
Why to Use Ultrasonic Cleaner for Bike Chain?
The chain, cassette, and gears are the most used parts of your road bicycle. The dirt, grime, and grease get settled over there easily.
You, therefore, need to take special care of these parts to enhance the overall performance of your bike.
When overhauled in the right way, you can keep your cycle running just like new for a longer period.
More often used in automotive, engineering, printing, and electronics industries, ultrasonic cleaning equipment can work very efficiently to clean almost any type of bike chain at home or in shops.
This means if you run a bike servicing business and need to clean various bike chains at a time, an efficient and versatile ultrasonic bicycle chain cleaner can save you enough time, energy, and money while cleaning the heavily smudged bike parts.
What liquid to use in an ultrasonic cleaner for bicycle chains?
The cleaning liquids used in most digital ultrasonic bike chain cleaners are eco-friendly and gentle, so you won’t have to lose sleep over their intensity.
If you need to choose the best liquid, a mild dish soap solution or a bike-specific water-based degreaser is your best bet.
Wax-coated chains may need a specially formulated aqueous cleaner, not just any soapy mix. Dilute it properly while following the manufacturer’s guidelines; too strong, and you risk damage; too weak, and you’re just giving your chain a lukewarm bath.
However, a word of caution: your ultrasonic cleaner is not a fan of hardcore substances like degreasers, kerosene, or mineral spirits. Using them is like feeding junk food to a high-performance athlete—things will go south quickly.
How Often to Clean and Lube the Bike Chain/Gears?
The most common problem, which is the possible signs, that it’s time to clean and oil your bike is a tight link.
These tight links do not bend as smoothly as they should. Most of the time it’s caused due to the accumulated dirt or corrosion in between the link plates. At other times it’s also due to improper pin installation or damage caused in the chain.
Typically it’s good to clean up and lube the bike’s gear and chain at least once a week (or once every 200 miles) to keep them in good working condition. Also, it’s good to spare some time and concentrate on the bike chain cleaning task as soon as you are back from a long trip.
For those extra-dirty chains, grab a brush tool and give it a deep cleanse in a chain solvent. By clearing out grime, rust, and stubborn links that refuse to bend smoothly it’ll emerge looking fresh, feeling smooth, and ready to roll.
When choosing a bike chain lubricant, do not go for low-quality products. Pick the specially formulated bicycle-chain lubricants designed for bike drivetrains. This should contain Teflon®, which is usually good at repelling dirt and water.
Finish Line DRY Teflon Bicycle Chain Lube (here on Amazon) is one of the best available on the market. You can choose it from a variety of different sizes according to your needs.
Remember that using motor oils or 3-in-1 oil to lubricate the chain of your bike is not a good idea. These oils tend to be heavy and will not penetrate deeply into the rollers. These lubricants may also gum up your chain, making things worse.
Most mechanics recommend replacing your bike chain regularly (every 2,000 to 3,000 miles) to prolong the life of the drivetrain. Depending on your riding nature and usage, you may, however, need to replace them sooner.
How to Maintain Your Drivetrain With Household Products?
When it’s time to clean your bike parts, cassette, drivetrain, and chain, the best inexpensive way is by using household items.
An old toothbrush and some lubricant are the most viable ones to get started. To get your bike chain cleaned without removing it, you can quickly brush out and lubricate the links on the spot.
However, keep in mind that sometimes simply brushing or washing your bike with soap or water won’t remove the oils and grease on the drivetrain parts. This will only help in removing the settled dirt.
Using a degreaser (like kerosene or vinegar) to remove the old grease and oil is an important part of overhauling your bicycle. These can also work to dissolve any rust present on the chain.
If your bike chain, cables, and other pivot joints are heavily soiled, you can use degreasers like WD 40 or a 3D Orange Degreaser.
Care that these should not be used to lubricate the parts. You may need other lubricants that are meant for oiling the bike parts.
Steps you may follow for getting your dirt bike parts cleaned and oiled in the most efficient and time-saving way are as follows:
Step 1. Set your vehicle at a place that is open. A lot of space may be needed to splash water on the vehicle after its complete cleaning.
Step 2. Use gear shifters to shift the chain to the outer rear cog to clean.
Step 3. Secure the bicycle on a bicycle stand and elevate the rear wheel. If required, flip the bike resting on the seat and handlebars as this is the right position to clean and grease the parts.
Step 4. Now give your bicycle an overall rinse (with soapy water) before using any cleaning products; a good rinse will let the debris and dirt get loose and make it easy to clean with pressure.
Step 5. Use a Degreaser or a bicycle chain cleaner on the chain, frames, gear, and cogs sinking for more than 5 minutes, based on which any settled shabby dirt or grease will be alleviated.
Step 6. It is essential to remove all the grime and tough dirt with a sharpened tool and brush, which are purposely designed to clean the bicycle gears and chain in an easy way. Use a chain stretcher which is a misnomer, and stretch the chain easily for further cleaning work.
Step 7. After all the cleaning, lubricate the chain and cassette using a good bike chain lube and wipe the excess lubricants with a rag. Be aware that too much of it will attract grime and dirt so use the lubricant wisely.
Although the above procedure may sound a bit technical, you can do it easily on your own with some practice and care.
If you want to clean your bike chain, cassette, gears, cables, and other pivot joints like a pro, we highly recommend using a bicycle chain cleaner such as an ultrasonic cleaning device.
This method not only saves time—often completing the process in just a few minutes—but also ensures a deeper, more thorough clean that extends the life of your chain and improves overall bike performance.
Related FAQs:
Can ultrasonic cleaners be used on all types of bike chains?
Yes, ultrasonic cleaners are generally safe for most bike chains, including standard, coated, and stainless steel chains. However, chains with delicate coatings or unusual materials may require caution—always check manufacturer recommendations.
Ultrasonic cleaning efficiently removes dirt and grease without physically scrubbing, making it ideal for intricate link designs. Chains should be disassembled if possible for best results, but many models allow cleaning without removal, ensuring thorough cleaning even in hard-to-reach areas.
Is it necessary to lubricate the chain after ultrasonic cleaning?
Absolutely. Ultrasonic cleaning removes not only dirt but also all existing lubricants, leaving the chain dry and vulnerable to corrosion and wear. After drying the chain completely, apply a quality bike-specific lubricant to each link.
Proper lubrication restores smooth performance, reduces friction, and prolongs the life of the drivetrain. Skipping this step can lead to rust, stiff links, and poor shifting, undermining all the cleaning efforts.
Can ultrasonic cleaning damage the chain or bike components if not used correctly?
When used correctly, ultrasonic cleaning is safe and does not harm chains or components. Overuse or using harsh, incompatible cleaning solutions can potentially affect coatings or delicate materials.
Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions, use recommended detergents, and avoid excessively long cleaning cycles. The gentle cavitation process penetrates crevices without physical abrasion, making it far safer than manual scrubbing, especially for intricate chain designs and small parts like rollers and pins.
Final Thoughts
Cleaning your bike chain with an ultrasonic cleaner takes chain maintenance to a whole new level of ease and efficiency. Unlike traditional scrubbing, the ultrasonic waves penetrate every nook and cranny of your chain, removing dirt, grime, and old lubricant without any harsh elbow grease.
While the initial setup might seem like an investment, the long-term benefits—less wear on your chain, smoother shifting, and a cleaner ride—more than justify it. For cyclists serious about performance and efficiency, ultrasonic cleaning is a smart, modern approach to chain care that keeps your bike running like new.