I remove the chain and I used to drop it in a plastic bottle with solvent and shake it for a few minutes. I would rinse it and dry it and put it back on the bike and lube it. Now the only difference is that I put it in an ultrasonic cleaner with Simple green and water. Then I rinse it, dry it and install it.
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/brandt/chain-care.html