As a cyclist, I’ve always considered myself pretty green. I clock up more miles on two wheels than in my car annually, leading me to believe my environmental footprint was fairly light. That was until I had a conversation with Sleek about their range of bike cleaning and care products. For years, I’d been liberally applying lubricants and spraying cleaners without a second thought about where it all ended up. My approach was simple: wash away the grime and cleaner, and it’s gone – out of sight, out of mind, job done!
It’s easy to preach about being eco-conscious, and equally easy to dismiss “green” claims from companies. We’ve heard it all before, and skepticism can creep in. But perhaps it’s time we all gave a bit more thought to our planet. My conversation with Sleek prompted me to do just that.
After doing some research into Sleek and their products, I felt compelled to investigate my own workshop cupboards. Alarmingly, many of my bike-related products carried toxicity warnings. These weren’t just potentially harmful to my health, but also to the environment. This realization stopped me in my tracks. Why hadn’t I paid closer attention before?
This isn’t intended to be an over-the-top environmental sermon. However, Sleek’s message served as a wake-up call to re-evaluate what I was using on my bike. If I can minimize my environmental impact as much as possible, and the product still performs effectively, then it’s a compelling reason to make a switch.
Sleek’s Eco-Friendly Product Range
Sleek offers a diverse line of cleaning and care products, catering to sailing, camping, and, crucially for us, bikes. My focus is naturally on their cycling range.
The unifying principle across all Sleek products is their commitment to being environmentally friendly. They are biodegradable and cruelty-free, meaning no animal testing.
Sleek states: “Our products are the highest performing eco-friendly cleaning products on the market whilst also biodegrading to 100% in just 28 days! They are also pH balanced, phosphate-free and not tested on animals.”
Reinforcing their “green” ethos, Sleek is also tackling the issue of single-use plastics. Emma from Sleek highlighted their refill pouches: “Don’t forget our refill pouches, these are a super-concentrated version of the cleaner meaning that 1 litre of the concentrate creates 4 litres of ready-to-use cleaner. These refill packs use 80% less plastic than a typical PET bottle and also 1/7 of the amount of energy to produce and transport.”
Sleek employs a consistent color-coding system across their range. Blue signifies cleaning, pink is for “detail” (degreaser in cycling terms), grey represents protection, and yellow is for “restore” – chain lube. I’ve put their Bike Cleaner to the test and anticipate trying out their degreaser and chain lube soon.
Hands-On with Sleek Bike Cleaner
My one-liter bottle of Sleek Bike Cleaner came ready to use with a spray attachment. The process is straightforward: hose down your dirty bike, apply Sleek bike cleaner, and then relax with a cup of tea. By the time you return, the cleaner should have done its job. Rinse it off and wipe down with a soft cloth.
This is the standard procedure for most bike cleaners these days, and Sleek’s is no different in application. I’ll admit, I’m usually skeptical of claims of vastly superior cleaning performance. Initially, after the first couple of washes, I didn’t notice a significant difference. However, with continued use, my grey bike started to regain a subtle shine.
I’d been using a mainstream bike cleaner for years, and while it was effective, I’d noticed a greasy residue building up on the frame over time, leading to a dull paint finish. It wasn’t a major concern, but the paint had definitely lost its luster. The Sleek cleaner seems to have effectively cut through this residue, restoring a shine to my frame. A bit of buffing later, and apart from a few inevitable scratches, the paintwork looked almost new again.
Final Verdict: Sleek Bike Cleaner – Effective and Eco-Friendly
As a bike cleaner, Sleek passes the test. It cleans bikes effectively. I’ve exclusively used it on my gravel bike, and it has tackled mud, sand, road grime, and more with ease. Only on the initial, heavily soiled wash did I need a second application. A word of realistic caution: don’t expect a miraculous, 100% showroom-perfect finish. Nooks and crannies might need a little extra attention, and the occasional stubborn smear might remain. A touch of elbow grease is needed to achieve the optimal finish, but not much.
I’m not a chemist, so I can’t personally verify Sleek’s claims about the biodegradable nature of their products. However, they transparently list their ingredients, and nothing raises immediate red flags.
One final thought: even an environmentally friendly bike cleaner will wash away road grime and oil into the environment. There are no magical enzymes that neutralize these pollutants. Considering that chain lube is often the most environmentally harmful substance we use on our bikes, perhaps the most impactful step towards greener cycling is to choose an environmentally friendly chain lube in the first place.
But, as they say, that’s a story for another time!
Sleek Rapid Acting Bike Cleaner: Product Overview
£8.99 per liter
Rating: 9.5/10
Effective Bike Cleaner That’s Environmentally Conscious
Pros:
- Effectively cleans bikes
- Biodegradable formula
- Cruelty-free (no animal testing)
Cons:
- None apparent at this time!
Last modified: November 28th, 2018
