Originally Posted by Velocivixen

Last time I bought a bike I first used a Park Tool chain tool cleaner that runs the chain through a "bath" of cleaner & has a bunch of brushes. After that I wiped it off with a towel to help get more gunk off. Then into the ultrasonic cleaner with Dawn, citrus degreaser, and water. Did a few rounds of that, then wiped off. Rinsed in clean water, dried with towel, then baked in oven at 175 degrees for about 45 minutes. Let cool, installed on bike then lubed. This particular was a Sedis chain on a bike with a Shimano Uniglide hub and the chain, despite the hardened grease & dirt was like new in regard to how much it had not stretched. I normally don't go through all this, but the chain was beyond filthy.