+1,

The most common mistake folks make cleaning chains is failing to dry them completely inside and out. Looking dry or wiping the outside doesn't count, since the cleaning fluid remains trapped inside the chain by capillary action. (picture water that's run under a glass table top).

The liquid already inside, fills the available spaces, so the newly applied lube sits on thee outside, where you probably wipe much of it off immediately. So you're now running a chain that's lubed with solvent rather than lubricant, magnifying the noise of running on slightly worn sprockets. Eventually the solvent dries and the lube migrates in, or the movement works it in maixing with the solvent, and your, now lubed chain, runs quiet again until the next time you screw it up.