I use a cheap ultrasonic cleaner with a mix of Simple Green and water. Run it through three cycles while I clean the reat of the bike. Rinse it in clean water until soap is gone and then either sun or oven dry it. Put it back on the bike and relube it. My 8sp. chain has 8650miles on it and only shows slight wear. A little oven 1/16" in 4feet of chain. I replace at 1/16" in 12".