What cleaning solution would you recommend that I clean my bike frame with?

[CyclingGiant]

Just wondered what you all would recommend that I use for cleaning my bike frame.
A friend of mine told me that he uses a purple power and water solution, but I usually just use a damp rag. Its just that I don't want to use something that would damage my bike frame. My bike is a Trek 1.1 Alpha Aluminum. I want to use something that would clean my bike more effectively.

[ibis_ti]

Simple Green Motorsports

[jgeldner]

windex...followed by a quick wipedown with lemon pledge...seriously the pledge keeps dirt from sticking in the future...it's amazing

[MilitantPotato]

Dish soap and water.

[jeepr]

I use Simple Green and Pledge.

[Old Hammer Boy]

First, rinse off dust and grit to minimize abrasion. Then spritz with diluted Simple Green from a spray bottle--rinse. Wipe dry, lube various moving parts with dry lube, then Pledge it and go ride...

[Camilo]

You understand of course that your bike frame is just painted metal (or plastic). There's nothing even remotely special or fragile with it.

Just wash it with anything you'd use to wash your car or counter tops in your kitchen.

Me, I just use a damp rag and just clean it when it's disgustingly filthy. I have no time for prissy clean bikes 8-)

[FastJake]

Dish soap and water.

+1

Wax will make cleaning a lot easier next time, but if you wax use automotive soap to wash. Dish soap will strip the wax.

[CACycling]

I use windshield washer fluid (at a buck a gallon, it's a lot cheaper than Windex) and an old towel. If I run into greasy stuff I use a bit of Greased Lightning.

[Steve530]

I generally just wipe the painted parts of my bike down with a wet cloth, but it has a nice coat of wax on it. If it ever gets to the point I need a detergent, I use car wash soap. Those alkali degreasers are prettty strong.

[BentLink]

Simple Green cautions about Al exposure, and makes a special product for Al surfaces. I just use dish washing liquid, the pledge after drying. It's more about the scrub than the juice...

[ibis_ti]

That's exactly why I suggested the Motorsports version

http://www.simplegreen.com/products_extreme_motor.php

Simple Green cautions about Al exposure, and makes a special product for Al surfaces. I just use dish washing liquid, the pledge after drying. It's more about the scrub than the juice...

[Jeff Wills]

I use Simple Green and Pledge.

+1 from me. Pledge cleans the greasy spots pretty well. Keep it off the rims and brake shoes though.

[amgarcia]

Hate to revive a dead thread, but are there any suggestions for stainless steel specifically?