The best snow foam you
probably have at home.

Most cyclists think of bike cleaners as something that comes in a branded bottle from a bike shop. In reality, one of the most powerful degreasing tools you already own is probably sitting in your bathroom.

We are talking about Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLS) — the main foaming agent used in many shower gels, shampoos, car shampoos and household cleaners. What makes it so good for washing hair and dishes is exactly what makes it extremely effective at cleaning chains, cassettes and drivetrains.

To understand why, we first need to look at how soaps actually work.

Why soaps are so good at removing grease?

Water on its own cannot remove oil, grease or chain lubricant. These substances repel water and cling stubbornly to metal surfaces, especially inside the microscopic pores and textures of a chain or cassette.

Soaps solve this problem because of how their molecules are built. Each soap molecule has two very different ends:

• one end is hydrophilic – it bonds with water
• the other end is hydrophobic – it bonds with oils, fats and lubricants
  

 This dual nature allows soap to act as a chemical bridge between water and grease.

When soap touches a dirty, oily surface, the oil-loving part of the molecule grabs onto the grease while the water-loving part stays attached to the surrounding water. This forms tiny structures called micelles — microscopic droplets where grease is trapped inside and carried away when rinsed.

In practical terms, this means soap does not just push dirt around. It pulls oily contamination out of the metal and makes it water-washable.

This is why soaps and detergents are used everywhere in workshops, factories and engine bays: they are extremely good at breaking down old, oxidised lubricants and removing greasy residue from metal.

And this is exactly where SLS comes in.

Sodium Laureth Sulfate: industrial-grade cleaning power

Although SLS is best known from personal care products, its roots are industrial. It was developed as a high-performance detergent for removing oil, grease and grime from mechanical parts and surfaces.

SLS is more powerful than traditional soap because it works reliably in hard water, produces strong foaming, and aggressively breaks the bond between grease and metal. This is why it is widely used in:

• automotive cleaners
• engine degreasers
• workshop wash solutions
• car shampoos and snow foams

The foam is not just for show. It allows the detergent to cling to surfaces, penetrate into gaps, and lift contamination out of tight spaces — exactly what you need when cleaning a bike drivetrain.

Why it works so well on your bike?

Chains, cassettes and chainrings trap dirt in the worst possible way. Old lubricant mixes with road grit and turns into an abrasive paste that sits deep inside the chain rollers and between the teeth.

SLS-based soaps are exceptionally good at breaking this down because they:

• cut through thick, oily residues
• penetrate into small gaps
• lift contamination out of metal pores
• allow everything to be rinsed away with water

In other words, they turn stubborn drivetrain grime into something that behaves like dirt in water — easy to wash away.

That is why a simple shower gel or car shampoo can often clean a chain better than many “bike-specific” sprays.

A powerful cleaner with one important warning.

Because SLS is so effective, it does not know the difference between dirty grease and good lubricant. It removes everything.

After cleaning with SLS, metal surfaces are left extremely clean, but also chemically exposed. This means:

• no protective oil film
• higher risk of flash rust
• higher friction until re-lubricated

So while SLS is excellent as a cleaner, it must always be followed by proper lubrication.

Used correctly, it gives you a perfectly clean foundation for fresh chain lube — which is exactly what you want for smooth running and long component life.

The snow foam you already own.

Look at the back of your shower gel, shampoo, car shampoo or snow foam. If you see Sodium Laureth Sulfate, you are holding one of the most powerful degreasers used in both industry and vehicle care.

It foams, it cuts grease, and it rinses clean.

You may not have bought it for your bike — but it might just be the best snow foam you already have at home.

Revolubes™
Know How Division