Cleaning mud out of the wheel well

[null]

It's the muddy period of the year and our wheels get quickly dirty if doing a bit of forest tracks etc.
While cosmetics aren't so important, large volumes of mud contains much moisture.

I spent a lot of time trying to dig out the mud in the wheel well until my wife suggested this very efficient technique:
Just wrap some rags around the tyre, spin it and handfuls of dirt comes out just when you thought you where done.

Posted in case it could be of use to someone.
Any other techniques to mention?

 

[Tazarinho]

I use a radiator brush, such as this:

[Seba]

Of course if there is a lot of mud, it's best to do it outside, in some puddle or sth instead of bathroom

[travsformation]

9 minutes ago, Seba said:

Of course if there is a lot of mud, it's best to do it outside, in some puddle or sth instead of bathroom

I do the same but I use one of these large plastic IKEA "organizer boxes" ("giant tupperwares") and do it outside:

I take a bucket of warm water with me so I can replace the water several times if necessary (which is very easy: just dump and refill), and to do a final rinsing with water only, to clean the soap off the wheel. Then just rinse the container, and done! Much easier than having to clean the bath tub.

One important detail is that you need to place the container in front of a wall, a brick, a log (or block it with your foot) so the wheel doesn't send it flying

Also important to keep in mind that it's plastic, not ceramic like a bathtub, so be careful not to let the wheel spin too fast

[null]

The spin in tub method looks like it would be very clean indeed, I'd worry a bit about all the water though  Maybe I'd try it toward the end of the mud season.

Edited January 8, 2020 by null

[Hansolo]

@Seba Do you do that when your wife went very far? 

[meepmeepmayer]

Yep, this is the best way to clean a wheel! Works best if you allow the mud to dry. You can do the water tub method after you removed most of the mud and only have dust left. Brushes don't work at all.

[RockyTop]

4 hours ago, Seba said:

Of course if there is a lot of mud, it's best to do it outside, in some puddle or sth instead of bathroom

 I might get a clean wheel that way. I don’t think I would live long enough to enjoy it. 

@null I don’t know if I am more impressed with you wife coming up with the idea or your ability to turn the tables on her. She having orchestrated the method of making a mess on that nice previously clean floor. 

[travsformation]

6 hours ago, null said:

The spin in tub method looks like it would be very clean indeed, I'd worry a bit about all the water though

A plastic container requires less water since it only needs to be big enough to fit the wheel. I reckon you don't need more than a couple of litres of water, as the water only needs to be 2-3 fingers deep (extremely accurate, internationally accepted measurement unit)

[null]

Nice to see you did it with a wheel without spokes @meepmeepmayer, will remember for the 16S  

@RockyTop She's tolerant and interested in fun stuff luckily. 
I still feel ashamed when I get yet another wheel, but then she's got 3 e-kickscooters so there  

Edited January 8, 2020 by null