If your time has any value whatsoever, stop measuring and thinking about your chain. Buy a new one. I replace my chain when I just wonder if it might be half worn. Replacing a half-worn chain prevents cog wear. A brand new chain requires no lubrication or cleaning for a couple of weeks. It's a much cleaner job to remove a chain and replace it than to clean it with any method.

I'm very fastidious about reducing, reusing, and recycling materials. Chains are where I draw the line. They are icky, and new chains are lovely.