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SEVEN DAY CYCLIST
CYCLING, BUT NOT USUALLY RACING
LATEST UPDATE JUNE 14th
HOW DO WE REACH THE OVERALL RATINGS FOR PRODUCTS WE REVIEW?
GTechniq Tri-Clean
500ml £13.95
The GTechniq Tri-Clean is an all-surface anti-bacterial potion which also aims to deal with odour and soiling in non-washable cycling gear – and other stuff, such as your trainers, of less significance in the great scheme of things. It comes with some pretty strong safety warnings, but of those are a sign of strength they do not seem misplaced. I should point out that I have had no ill-effects, in fact I appreciate this pump-spray cleaner just as much as my filthy old SPDs did.
Pros: lifts ingrained dirt well, easy to use, safe on a variety of fabrics, pretty frugal.
Cons: nothing significant.
Specification
GTechiq describe their Tri-Clean pump action spray as an “all-surface cleaner combining odour control, anti-soiling, and anti-bacterial technology.” Effective against 99.9% of bacteria, they claim. I have been unable to test that! It has agents that neutralize odour and prevent the build up of “tacky residues” that attract dirt. The specific audience iis trainers, cycling shoes, helmets, and any non-washable items.
The ingredients include 2-Butoxyethanol, tetrapotassium pyrophosphate, and sodium laureth sulfate. These are frequently used in a variety of cleaning products. Take the usual precautions. I’ve had no ill-effects on skin, but I can’t speak for more sensitive folk.
Application and use 4.5/5
Fundamentally, this is as shake, spray onto your microfibre cloth and wipe and go. However, if there is lumpy muck, say on fabric shoes, it is best to remove it first. In my opinion, this the Tri-Clean is meant for work on lighter, including ingrained, dirt.
GTechniq instruct ions say that the potion should be sprayed directly onto a damp microfibre cloth (buy the full bike cleaning kit and you get one in it). This ensures frugality, especially if used frequently. Wipe the surface and gently agitate. Repeat if necessary, and wipe dry. The last is not so easy with soft fabrics, mesh and so on, can be hard to wipe dry. I’ve taken it to mean

wipe dry as much as possible. Their website description implies that Tri-Clean should be used frequently. I’d agree. As you’ll discover, should you read on, a good dose has had a major impact on long-term dirt, but a little and often will make the most economic use.



Just a note. Application by cloth is not easy on the inside of a shoe, even if you remove laces or loosen fastenings to the maximum.
Needless to say, I have tried spraying directly onto items; helmets, SPD shoes etc. I have not noticed any decline in effectiveness. However, you should just check it out that it is safe on colour etc, first. I’ve had no issues, but it is up to you. Misuse will affect warranties, too. It is worth leaving it a little before wiping to let it get into the dirt so that when you wipe or otherwise agitate, the dirt will come away. How long for? I think that depends on how much dirt and how much spray, but do not let it dry out: wipe it as dry as you can.
Performance 4.75/5


Next up were a pair of ancient, very comfortable, very dirty and decrepit SPD shoes that have been used for everything from multi-day tours to cycling to the supermarket, over a period of several years. They’ve had the occasional scrub, but I am ashamed to say that their loyalty has not been rewarded with tender and loving care. The results of treatment with the Tri-Clean were excellent. The fragrance of the inner was clean and fresh, the external fabric was still decrepit, but looked much, much cleaner, even shiny in places. Effort was minimal. Really just a wipe and the accumulated dirt of many miles simply lifted away on the cloth. Similar results have been achieved with training and approach shoes – and very happily on the band of my tweed flat cap.

Of course, panniers can generally be washed with a bike cleaner, but when the kippers I had bought for breakfast managed to leak through the bag and into the pannier, it seemed too good an opportunity to miss. I like kippers, but one does not wish to be assailed by such pungency when fetching out the D-lock, nor does one want it tainting your spare clothes on a weekend trip. So, how did the Tri-Clean do against one of nature’s whiffiest delights? Well, a spray and a wipe, another spray and a wipe, followed by a third, did the trick – the microfibre cloth was immediately shoved in the washing machine. Pannier left open to air, job done.
This made me wonder whether my venerable Carradice Nelson Longflap Saddlebag – best cotton duck and leather straps (Tri-Clean is not a leather feed) – would like a brush up. “Yes, please,” it said, so away we went. Next for the little leather pads on some Zefal bottle cages. Then, of course, bar tape. True, this can be washed with a bike wash, but some fabrics prefer to avoid a soaking, although most spray on washes are pretty safe (please check this before you spray).
All came up nicely, looking a good deal healthier than they had before.
The GTechniq Tri-Clean is also a deodoriser. It certainly neutralises those nasty niffs that build up inside shoes and helmets. However, it does not replace them with a scent of its own. At first the Tri-Clean smells a bit like some furniture polishes, but this does not linger. Leaving things to dry and air for a short while leaves things smelling fresh, but not of Chanel No5, or whatever it is you like to wear on the bike.

Value 4/5
Muc-Off’s Foam Fresh works rather differently, but can be used on the inside of helmets, and similar fabrics to the Tri-Clean. It has a citrus scent and comes in at £10 for 400ml. However, it is likely to be less frugal because of the propellants added to the brew.
If you prefer mint to citrus, Envii Key Fresh is a general-purpose sports kit cleaner. Like the Tri-Clean it is a pump action spray. 7.95 for 750ml. I have not tested this, so cannot comment on effectiveness.
There are, of course, lots of deodorisers on the market, which also deal with the bacteria that cause them – good old Scholl. However, these are not really cleaners, as such.
If you frequently, and as instructed, the 500ml of Tri-Clean will go a long way. £13.95 is at the pricier end of this market, but that does not undermine its effectiveness or potential frugality.
Summary
I have found the Tri-Clean to be fast acting and powerful, pluses in themselves, as well as effective. Easy to use, it has done a good deal to restore older kit, wipe away dirt, and ensure that on opening the kit cupboard I have not been repulsed by that unpleasant odour of festering sweat. I’ll certainly carry on using it. A little and often!
Verdict: 4.5/5 powerful, effective, potentially very frugal.
Steve Dyster
https://www.gtechniq.co.uk/product-category/bike/kit-cleaning-protection/
PUBLISHED JUNE 2025