How do you clean handlebar tape?

over-the-hill

Chain came off – oil on hands, oil on handlebars. What's the best way of getting off if any? I didn't realise the chain was so oily when it looks so clean and shiny.

always_tyred

I'd use a bit of white spirit or other solvent, if you must use anything. (What i'd actually do is give it a good wipe and not worry about it - the only way to keep anything on a bike truly clean is not to use it). Don't use a detergent of any kind, though, even something like MuckOff. It'll be fine... until it rains... at which time it will become like a prop from Its a Knockout.

itisaboutthebike

Baby wipes................(unperfumed !)

neeb

I just use black tape so I don't need to be bothered with all of that. Black or white looks best anyway, and white is just too much hassle...

System_1

I was once told to give WD40 a try on cork tape. I was sceptical but gave it a shot on my manky white tape which I was going to replace anyway. I used Muc Off Bike Spray though (just because I had some in the house), which is a very similar product. No oily residue like you would expect and although it does smell a bit for a day or so, it works a treat. The same white tape has now been on the bike for another year and is almost as clean as the day I got it.

celbianchi

i use Cif bathroom cleaner on white tape and it brings it up nice and clean.
A protour mechanic advises that washing powder is as good as anything.

speckybecky

I had the same thing happen to me at the weekend and whilst hunting in the bathroom for something (anything!) to remove the oil from my white handlebar tape - baby wipes and bathroom cleaner - I happened across eyemake up remover (Boots No7 to be precise) - works a treat! Tape now looks like new. Although I'm guessing most of you won't have eyemake up remover handy....

geoff_ss

speckybecky wrote:

Although I'm guessing most of you won't have eyemake up remover handy....

No I don't bother with it and leave my eye makeup on all the time

As for cleaning handlebar tape - I usually use black tape and don't bother to clean it except when it gets sticky in summer when I just wipe it with a damp cloth.

Geoff