I fall somewhere in between the just lube and wipe and the really clean it folks. I believe that if a chain can not be cleaned properly, dried and lubed then it is better to just lube and wipe.

This is my wife's derailleur and chain after 3000 miles of lubing and wiping. Four hundred of those miles were over dirt roads and trails. The grass was just picked up when we rode through some freshly mowed hay along a farm lane. I would really have liked to get this cleaned properly, but we were approaching the end of our tour and the chain would be replaced when we got home.



At home for Shimano chains I use a Park chain cleaner with degreaser, then rinse in hot water and let dry before applying fresh lube.



For Sram chains with quick links, I remove the chains and place the chain in a plastic jar with a degreaser, and shake vigorously. Again it is rinsed in hot water, dried and fresh lube applied.

You can't convince me that the chain treated like the one above will last as long as this regularly cleaned and lubed chain.