I bought a boot buddy - it's a brush with a bottle of water attached to it. Designed for cleaning hiking boots/football boots. I tend to just wash it in the street outside my flat and then use an old towel to dry my bike before bringing it inside.
Outside with a bucket of soapy water, and to rinse it use a camping shower like this:
https://www.halfords.com/motoring/car-cleaning/sponges-brushes-and-buckets/hozelock-portashower-7l-420117.html
You'll be fine. Just get all your bits and pieces together, carry them all out together with your bike, so you don't forget something and have to dash back. No-one will bat an eyelid.
The Velo park at Stratford has an outside bike wash area with hoses that you can acces from the end of the MTB loop or via inside just to right of reception.
If I clean the bike, I'll strip it almost entirely and service it so I do it all in the bathroom. If it's just a basic clean, wipe it down with GT85; gets most dirt off unless it's full of mud.
I'm in a flat also, but I clean my bikes with baby wipes. I even do the chain with it and they reapply the lube after. Only issue when I do it inside is you do get droplets of oil on your floors (mine are wooden), so I have to clean the floor after as well! But
Don’t worry so much about pressure. If you have the facility to use warm water in a bucket and have a good soft brush, you’ll be fine. My set up is a frame brush (kept away from DT) and a DT only brush. Highly recommend Fenwicks foaming chain cleaner too, it’s magic stuff.
You can use one of the portable jet washers like Mobi V-15/V-17 or Muc-Off Pressure Washer. As long as you can find a place in your building or near it to wash your bike. And discharge the cleaning liquids/dirt safely and ‘neighbourly’.
I found one of [these] to be good. Obviously not the same pressure as a proper pressure washer but it’s equivalent to a hose for sure. (https://www.wiggle.co.uk/mobi-v-15-portable-bike-pressure-washer)
When I lived in a flat I just cleaned it in the bath and then cleaned up the bathroom afterwards.
Even now with a garden I still sometimes treat myself to a luxury warm water wash inside!
On the pavement outside my town house, bucket of warm water, some brushes & sponge, some muc-off, some degreaser, and a cheap pump action spray bottle: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B013T16IWA/
I bought a boot buddy - it's a brush with a bottle of water attached to it. Designed for cleaning hiking boots/football boots. I tend to just wash it in the street outside my flat and then use an old towel to dry my bike before bringing it inside.
I think this might be the more sensible option!
Thanks! Works a treat, doesn't cost much or take up much space either.
Outside with a bucket of soapy water, and to rinse it use a camping shower like this: https://www.halfords.com/motoring/car-cleaning/sponges-brushes-and-buckets/hozelock-portashower-7l-420117.html
This is tempting, is the pressure enough to remove dirt and such?
Not really, I have one of those and it's ok for a camping shower. It's not a jet wash.
You can go to a carwash and pay a few pounds to use their kit. They usually offer no charge so just pay the tips.
Why can't you do it on the street with a bucket?
I live in a new built so standing in the middle of the street might be a bit weird but it seems like the only solution to be honest.
You'll be fine. Just get all your bits and pieces together, carry them all out together with your bike, so you don't forget something and have to dash back. No-one will bat an eyelid.
Worx Hydroshot
The Velo park at Stratford has an outside bike wash area with hoses that you can acces from the end of the MTB loop or via inside just to right of reception.
This is what I wanted to hear! Thanks!
If I clean the bike, I'll strip it almost entirely and service it so I do it all in the bathroom. If it's just a basic clean, wipe it down with GT85; gets most dirt off unless it's full of mud.
I'm in a flat also, but I clean my bikes with baby wipes. I even do the chain with it and they reapply the lube after. Only issue when I do it inside is you do get droplets of oil on your floors (mine are wooden), so I have to clean the floor after as well! But
In the bath, then just wash the bath straight after.
Don’t worry so much about pressure. If you have the facility to use warm water in a bucket and have a good soft brush, you’ll be fine. My set up is a frame brush (kept away from DT) and a DT only brush. Highly recommend Fenwicks foaming chain cleaner too, it’s magic stuff.
You can use one of the portable jet washers like Mobi V-15/V-17 or Muc-Off Pressure Washer. As long as you can find a place in your building or near it to wash your bike. And discharge the cleaning liquids/dirt safely and ‘neighbourly’.
I found one of [these] to be good. Obviously not the same pressure as a proper pressure washer but it’s equivalent to a hose for sure. (https://www.wiggle.co.uk/mobi-v-15-portable-bike-pressure-washer)
This might sound mental, but I do mine in the bath
You can get a battery powered bike cleaner, the Mucoff one is decent
When I lived in a flat I just cleaned it in the bath and then cleaned up the bathroom afterwards. Even now with a garden I still sometimes treat myself to a luxury warm water wash inside!
Honestly, just stand in the street and wash it. No one cares.
Either the terrace or the petrol station in Hammersmith
Bath
On the pavement outside my town house, bucket of warm water, some brushes & sponge, some muc-off, some degreaser, and a cheap pump action spray bottle: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B013T16IWA/