Schwalbe launch all natural soap for your bike

Schwalbe has launched an all natural bike soap with a high cleaning power which is delivered in tandem with a focus upon environmental compatibility.

The brand is keen to emphasize that the environmental credential of the product is matched by its cleaning power. Made in Germany, entirely from natural substances, the soap is dermatologically tested, vegan and microplastic-free. This ensures neither coatings nor tyres are affected during cleaning. The soap is 100% biodegradable according to the OECD.

Of the launch announcement, product manager Peter Krischio points out that, “our product-, testing- and marketing team rides and tests tyres all year long. So we have to wash and maintain a lot of bikes. Refilling the cleaning products is already a good approach. But we looked at all the cleaning products on our shelf while having a beer after the tour and started thinking about other solutions. Not a bottle, but a product that lasts a long time, simply works and is completely environmentally friendly. The result was good old soap‘.

Why Schwalbe has produced a bike soap?

Schwalbe has been actively working on the subject of tube and tyre recycling for years. The business now has its own four-person team which deals exclusively with issues of responsibility, circular economy and the environment. The idea came from our own practical need of washing many bikes frequently, using less cleaning material that lasts much longer.

The soap is easily biodegradable according to the OECD, without perfume and without microplastics. One soap lasts for up to 100 washes – if you break that down to the price of £7.99, a single wash is enormously cheap. It has an excellent cleaning and degreasing effect and is highly foaming. The dirt particles on the bike gets wrapped and can be washed off afterwards, without scratching. The soap also has fat dissolving properties. It‘s all very simple.

How does the soap work?

First, rinse the bike completely with water and remove the rough dirt. With the damp brush or a sponge you foam up the soap. Then clean your bike and wash it down with water again. Foam the brush again with soap two or three times, that‘s enough for one wash. Then wash off the soap again shortly and store it in the aluminium box. Done.

The soap comes in a starter set, completely manufactured according to sustainability standards: Bike Soap in a recyclable tin can for storing, and organic horsehair brush for lathering and cleaning. The set packaging consists of a reusable net bag made of wood fibre, which is compostable after its life cycle.

The soap, aluminium case, and brush, will retail at £29.99

In the UK Schwalbe is distributed by a network of wholesalers.