Not all Bike Cleaners are created equal
We’re back with another Tech Tuesday, where we get down and dirty on the tech that makes our products so epic at what they do. This week, we’re going back to where it all started, with our Nano Tech Bike Cleaner – move over Stormzy, this bottle is the King of Grime!
It all goes way back to 1991 when Rex and Marilyn Trimnell got things started with X-Lite UK. After designing and manufacturing the world’s first twin crown bicycle fork, Rex created a perfectly pink spray to clean his bikes, as he’d found lots of alternatives were damaging components. To make a long story short, Rex’s cleaner was the best thing since sliced bread, and it wasn’t long before word got out and Muc-Off was born in 1994.
Our Nano Tech Bike Cleaner has stood the test of time. It is often imitated, but never recreated, which you’ll see from our Tech Tuesday video where we put our cleaner up against another brand's version. As we say, not all cleaners are created equal! So, let’s look at what makes ours the best in the business.
What properties in our formula stop it attacking bike components like the other cleaner?
We only use the finest ingredients and surfactants in our formula and it still remains a closely guarded trade secret today. What we can say is that the formula is free from acids, CFCs and solvents and is non-caustic (which means it won’t burn or corrode surfaces). The cleaner contains a cutting-edge corrosion inhibitor package to help care for delicate finishes and components. This offers multi-metal protection, for materials like aluminium and alloy. This is what stops Muc-Off bike cleaner instantly oxidising the aluminium like in the video, or causing your components to rust, unlike other cleaners.
How does our Nano Technology breakdown dirt and grime but not damage bike parts?
Our Nano Technology cleaner contains molecules, known as ionic surfactants, which loosen and eliminate dirt and grime on a nanometre scale. That's 1/80000th of the diameter of a human hair, and when you get down to these levels, dirt doesn't stand a chance!
To help simplify things, the smaller particles mean a deeper clean! Because we have harnessed the power of Nano Technology, it means we don't have to use the same harsh ingredients found in many other bike cleaners. Think of the particles in traditional cleaners as beach balls and Muc-Off Nano Tech particles as table tennis balls. The bigger particles in other cleaners just can't penetrate the microscopic ridges and troughs of bike parts like the cleaning particles in our formula – which is how we provide such an unreal deep clean. But you can rest assured it’s safe on all components and finishes!
What are the advantages of Nano Tech Bike Cleaner being alkaline-based?
Having a level of alkalinity improves cleaning efficacy versus neutral pH formulations. Alkaline-based cleaning power helps break down dirt and grime found on bicycles, whilst caring for your bike’s delicate finishes. The surfactants and active ingredients in the formula help the cleaner cling to the surface for longer which in turn decreases the tension of the dirt on the surface and gently breaks it down. This detergency is helped even further with our awesome foaming trigger, which creates a rich foam that sprays out of the bottle, ideal for penetrating the dirt and sticking to the surface of your bike for longer. Rinsing off is also easier with alkaline-based cleaners, and Muc-Off rinses off to leave a lustre with a protective finish on the surface without any streaks or smears.
It also means that the cleaner prevents metal oxidisation from happening, as seen in our video. Compared with acidic or solvent-based cleaners alkaline-based cleaners can remove solid contaminants much more effectively than solvents and are much more environmentally friendly, as well as being safe to you!
How is our Bike Cleaner so effective, yet still biodegradable?
Because we use the finest ingredients, and only use surfactants that meet the biodegradability criteria from OCED guidelines (Regulation (EC) No. 648/2004 on detergents) we have been able to develop a cleaner that is not only safe for your pride and joy, but also for you and the environment without giving up anything on cleaning power and performance.
As part of our Project Green program, we’re always looking for new ways to keep things green! So we have introduced longer-lasting bottle triggers and refill options too, so we can reduce our plastic usage even more.
Anything else that makes our Nano Tech Bike Cleaner rad?
As we said, it’s formulated to be safe on all bike components, seals and cables. But we’ve even developed additives for the cleaner that ensure it doesn’t affect braking performance, so your brake pads in rotors stay in top condition, and you’re ready to ride straight after a clean!
That’s it for this edition of Tech Tuesday, check back soon for more. In the meantime, grab yourself a bottle of Nano Tech here for the best clean around. Or if you’ve already got a bottle, save it and grab a refill of concentrate, so you can keep your bike clean and stay green!
