Biodegradable vs Chemical Bike Cleaners: Why It Matters

cycleWASH Engineering
2026-04-06T14:26:43+02:00

Why biodegradable bike cleaners matter — comparing chemical vs EcoClean for environmental impact and bike safety.

Frequently asked questions

What does 'biodegradable' actually mean here?

OECD 301B ready-biodegradability test: ≥ 60% CO₂ evolution within 28 days. Our cleaner tests at 91%. It also meets the EU Ecolabel for cleaning products — no phosphates, no EDTA, no quaternary ammonium compounds, no fluorinated surfactants.

Does it clean as well as solvent-based cleaners?

For 98% of typical soil loads (road grime, rain grit, chain wax residue), yes — often better. For extreme cases (dried spray paint, industrial tar), mechanical action plus pre-soaking compensates for the lower chemical aggression.

Is it safe for disc brakes?

Yes. The formula is explicitly non-silicone, non-oil-based, and pH-neutral. Direct spray on rotors at normal wash pressure produces no measurable performance degradation after 200 wash cycles in our brake-pad manufacturer's accredited lab tests.

What about solvent waste disposal?

None needed. The biodegradable formulation can discharge directly to municipal sewer within EU wastewater-quality standards in all 27 member states. For closed-loop installations, the OASIS filter system fully captures any residual detergent.

Related reading

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EU Green Deal Compliance Bike Wash

Chain Wear Science Drivetrain

Wash without the chemical regrets

Every cycleWASH station ships with our biodegradable detergent — EU Ecolabel certified, safe for waterways, and works equally well on carbon and steel frames.

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