Am I a complete washout?

I\’m not nearly as conscientious about cleaning my bicycles as I should be; and I\’ll be the first to admit it. On weekdays I have to go to work after I ride; and there isn\’t time to do a decent cleaning job and have breakfast, too. After I get home from work, I have other things to do.

I\’m reluctant to try this outdoor cleaning routine. Or this one. I don\’t have my own yard; and one of the occupants of the unit adjacent to mine is prone to hanging around outdoors SMOKING!! That smoke sets off my allergies.

If I were to spray WD-40® around, I\’d need a double filter mask. Such fumes bother me, big time. So do the fumes of many cleaning products. I\’ve tried a solution of Simple Green®; and that bothered me, too. Even though I put a bicycle on a tarp to protect the carpet, using soapy water would be a problem; and I certainly can\’t drag a bicycle into the shower with me!

Another aspect of bicycle cleaning that I need to improve upon is the skill of removing the wheels and replacing them. The front wheel is easy enough, but I\’m always nervous about doing it to the rear wheel.

Having a bicycle that looks brand-new all the time is low on my priority list. On the other hand, my bicycles need more frequent washing. But no gully-washers, please! That would be a complete washout, for sure.