Price: $19.99 twin pack (1-liter each), $34.99 Bottle For Life Bundle
Available: Online and retail
How Obtained: Company sample
RBR Advertiser: No
I’ve been using Muc-Off cleaning products for years, with the pink Nano Tech cleaner being one of my favorites. The pink cleaner comes in a 1-liter plastic spray bottle and lasts quite some time. But what do you do with the bottle when it’s empty?
At the end of July, Muc-Off, announced the launch of a new product with a ton of fan fair, including a video Making Rad, spoofing the Breaking Bad series…an underwear Walter White reference, and all. The company touts Punk Powder as the world’s first plastic-free bike cleaner. Punk Powder is an all-eco and more convenient cleaner that’s safe for the environment. It is also safe to use on all bike parts, including disc brakes and carbon fiber.
Muc-Off is focused on sustainability and reducing plastics. Made from readily biodegradable ingredients, 75% of which are plant-based. Punk Powder comes in a box with two small 30g powder packets, each of which makes 1 liter of cleaner by just adding water.
Their all-new Bottle For Life is an ultra-longlasting aluminum bottle, complete with a non-toxic, food-grade silicone base that provides protection and stability. You can purchase Punk Powder and the new Bottle For Life in a bundle either online or at your LBS.
I used my empty Nano Tech bottle to mix up a batch of Punk Powder. Reusing plastic bottles is part of Muc-Off’s goal of reducing its carbon footprint. Punk Powder uses 92% less packaging than the equivalent 2 liters of regular bike cleaner.
Punk Powder dissolves quickly and is easy to use. Just fill a 1-liter bottle with water, add the powder and shake. The box folds into a handy siphon, making it easy to get the powder into the bottle. During my test, some crystals came out of the packet in small clumps and initially clogged my sprayer. After additional agitating, the remaining crystals dissolved.
According to the Muc-Off website, you can store the packages for up to 3 years inside the box in a well-ventilated, dry place and protected from moisture, heat, and direct sunlight.
Project Green – Reducing Plastic and Carbon Footprint
Muc-Off recently announced their new Project Green commitment to save 200 tons of plastic by 2023. Punk Powder will play a vital role in the brand achieving its target. With Punk Powder also being water-free, it’s significantly lighter and smaller to ship around the world, helping to reduce the company’s carbon footprint. Globally, Muc-Off calculates using Punk Powder will save more than 61 tons of plastic per year.
Bottom Line
Muc-Off’s new Punk Powder is an eco-friendly, economical, and convenient bike cleaner. Just add water, shake, and you are ready to tackle the dirtiest bike. The small packets are ideal for taking on vacation or bikepacking trips. Just mix up the amount you need, no waste.
Sheri Rosenbaum regularly contributes articles and reviews products for RBR. She’s an avid recreational roadie who lives in the Chicago area and a major advocate for women’s cycling, serving on the board of directors and volunteering with the Dare2tri Paratriathlon Club. Click to read Sheri’s full bio or visit her web site sunflowersandpedals.com.
Thank you for suggesting we buy from our local bike shops.
Yep, buy where you ride!
Price: $19.99 twin pack (1-liter each) Really? What does this stuff do that is so valuable compared to a few squirts of biodegradable dish soap into a bucket of water? Is it strong enough to replace more serious solvents used to clean drivetrain components?