A tad impatient are we ?

If you have an older bike with shifters on the down tube or stem (Non "indexing") then the little screw or wingnut on the side of the shifter might be a little loose. Tighten it up a bit.

You can clean your bike (frame, bars, wheels, seat ...) with warm, soapy water. But for the chain, spray on some chainlube, then wipe off the extra with a rag. You can use a few drops of chainlube on the derailleur pivot points, and any other moving parts. Just keep it off the brake pads & rims or you'll have no brakes.