I used to be in the latter camp, thinking there was no real need to wash them as they'd inevitably get dirty. However, after riding in the rain and getting them quite filthy, I decided it was time for a cleaning.

I discovered a lot during the process, so I'd like to share my findings.

First, let me show you how dirty they were.

My bicycle has white tires, and they were embarrassingly dirty.

If the tires were black, it would be hard to tell how dirty they were, so think of it as me choosing white tires specifically for this article.

When you zoom in, you can see how bad it really was.

■Tire Cleaning Tools

First, let me introduce the tools for tire cleaning.

1. Detergent

I added a small amount of dish soap (neutral detergent) to water.

Just enough to create some suds when shaken, about 3 pumps of detergent for 200cc of water.

2. Gloves

Without these, your hands will get dirty, and washing them afterwards will be a hassle.

A pair from a 100-yen shop is sufficient, and disposable ones would be even better.

3. Brush

Used for scrubbing the tires.

Any shape will do, and an inexpensive brush that can be discarded after use is perfectly fine.

4. Rag

Since detergent is used, a lot of dirt will come off. This is for wiping it away.

5. Water

Since detergent is used, it's probably best to rinse it off at the end.

■How to Clean Tires

The cleaning method is actually quite simple: spray the diluted detergent directly onto the tire with a spray bottle. (4.jpg)

At this time, neutral detergent is recommended.

Alkaline detergents can cause aluminum parts to discolor, and acidic detergents can lead to rust later on.

Dish soap contains surfactants, so spray it on, work it in with a brush, and let it sit for a short while. The dirt will start to lift.

The key is to let it sit for about 30 seconds, even if it's just a short time.

That alone makes a huge difference in how well the dirt comes off.

When I actually tried it, this is how much dirt came off.

The difference in the dirt on the tire sidewall is clearly visible; the top half is black, while the bottom half has regained its whiteness.

Imagine a clock face: spray detergent on the 1/4 section from 9 o'clock to 6 o'clock (both sides), then scrub with a brush.

Instead of scrubbing back and forth, scrubbing in one direction from top to bottom is a smarter way to clean, as it prevents the detergent from splashing.

Scrubbing about 10 times in one spot was enough to remove the dirt.

Rinse with water and wipe with a rag.

If any noticeable dirt remains at this point, use detergent and a brush to clean that area again more thoroughly.

When wiping with a rag, wiping simultaneously from both sides made it easy to clean the rim as well.

*The image shows only the left hand, because the right hand is holding the camera. Use both hands to wipe along the rim from both sides.

■ Can check for damage

When cleaning the tires, you naturally look at the dirt, allowing you to also check for scratches and other damage.

You might think you can check for scratches without washing, but engaging in the actual cleaning process improves the quality of your inspection.

I felt it was great to be able to prevent accidents and malfunctions with such a simple task.

■ Can check tire pressure

When cleaning tires, you inevitably become aware of the tire pressure.

Since all you need to do is bring a pump in addition to the tools introduced here, be sure to adjust the tire pressure as well.

This can improve ride comfort and reduce the likelihood of punctures.

■ Do not spray water on the rotating axle

When cleaning tires, be careful not to spray water on the rotating axle.

Bearings are used in the rotating axle, and grease is applied there, which repels water to some extent.

Even so, I don't think there's any need to intentionally introduce moisture, so as mentioned above, cleaning from the 6 o'clock to 6 o'clock direction (or 3 o'clock to 6 o'clock direction) makes it easy, safe, and effective to clean the tires.

Since water is used, it's also a good idea to lubricate the chain and other moving parts with grease afterwards.

There are suitable oils and greases for each location, so be sure to use those.

By the way, the main difference between oil and grease is viscosity.

Generally, substances with high viscosity (thick and gooey) are called grease, and those with low viscosity (thin and runny) are called oil.

■ Tire wax is a no-go

As mentioned above, we recommend using specialized grease.

So, should you use a tire cleaner specifically for tires?

No, this is not a good idea.

If you look at general car tire cleaners, they seem to contain wax components to give a good finish.

When cleaning car tires, only the sidewalls are cleaned, so this may not be an issue. However, bicycle tires are thinner than car tires, so it's impossible to use cleaner without affecting the contact patch with the ground.

The wax will affect the contact patch between the ground and the tire, inevitably making it slippery.

■Summary

Periodically cleaning your bicycle tires not only makes them look good but also helps prevent malfunctions and accidents.

You don't need any special detergents; items you already have at home are sufficient, so please give it a try.

Clean tires also make you feel good and eager to ride your bike again.

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External Writer: Koichi Okuno