I have one of the Park chain cleaners and found it worked very well with the expensive Park cleaning solution. I have tried kerosene and similar inexpensive dodges and not gotten similar results. Now, I just do the degreaser-soapy auto sponge thing and it seems to work as well, if a bit more messy.
The economy of home-made lubes seems somewhat overdone to me, a bottle of top-grade chain lube is what, 7-8 bucks? Lasts for a year or more....
Buying one of the new "breakable" chains or links seems like a good idea to me; pop it off and soak in a good solvent, then re-lube. But you still have to clean up the drivetrain.
The patrol bike I ride is seven years old and has the original chain. It still tests within spec, and the bike shifts cleanly and accurately. (Shimano LX and XT components)