It never fails to impress me... just how differently we all maintain our bicycles. Of course... if I thought I was "cleaning my bicycle wrong" I'd stop. But that doesn't mean I think other peoples ideas are "wrong"..... I don't.

I use hot soapy water! I clean my own body with soap and hot water... as well as, my clothes, bedding, dishes, pot and pans, glasses (reading and drinking), car, furniture, carpet, pets, tools, laptop screen, and firearms (yes in the Army on occasion we scrubbed our M sixteens in the shower).

Dish soap is the safest and most environmentally friendly solvent available. A five gallon bucket of hot soapy water and a stiff dish (or toilet) brush can scrub the crud off the chain, rings, cogs, and derailleurs in no time. I like to pre-soak the really cruddy parts (and chain) with a spray of simple green. And let the simple green begin breaking down the greasy build-up.

I wash my bicycle while in the work stand. It makes the bike easier to manage and saves the back. You can save drying time with a air compressor. Just use a blower attachment to blow away any water and/or moisture. Let air dry completely... then a little oil on every moving part.