Green Oil Eco Sponge

Green Oil's Eco Sponge is good for dealing with stubborn, congealed gunge and grime, but the fibrous pad demands regular rinsing to prevent ingrained grit and similar contaminants scratching delicate surfaces, so proceed with particular caution around carbon fibre and similar finishes.

Imported from the Philippines as a fair trade product, the 'Sponge' is a by-product of the Luffa plant whose identity lies somewhere between a shredded wheat cereal and bath-side exfoliant.

Don't be deterred by the palm sized dimensions and mildly abrasive texture. Pop the Eco Sponge in a bucket of warm water and watch as it swells to softer and more useable dimensions in around a minute. For best results, give mucky steeds a bike-wash blow-over and allow it to marinate for a minute or two before racing round the finishing kit, frame and wheels in the usual fashion, employing a frequent, dip, squeeze and rinse routine as you go.

Green oil say the pad has a twelve month lifespan, whereupon it biodegrades harmlessly and without trace-more than can be said for the ubiquitous 99p car sponge. In practice, I've owned one that's managed 15 months and another that's bitten the dust within six. In fairness, the latter was force fed a relentless diet of crusty crossers, mucky mountain bikes and abandoned outside through a particularly cruel winter. Regular post wash rinsing and dry storing at room temperatures is key to maximising longevity.

Credit where it's due; the little sponge cuts effortlessly through excess Waxoyl, and the witches brew of mud, congealed grease and slime that culminates alarmingly quickly on winter roads. Saving the car sponge for a gentler caress on areas such as paint work that could be easily scratched, the Green Oil's matted texture exfoliates light tarnish and chain lube spatter from polished alloy rims while equally effective at rejuvenating cork wraps tainted with ingrained dirt.

At £3.49 it's not expensive, (although pricier than a 99p car sponge), and it certainly does the trick when it comes to cleaning componentry and the like. I'm a fan - I've bought a few, even so I can't help feeling that's it's not quite on a par with some of Green Oil's other products.

Verdict

Great for cleaning the really dirty bits on your bike but very much a companion rather than replacement for the humble car sponge