IMO, life is too short to have a chain cleaning fetish. I'd rather be riding my bike than cleaning it, but I often ride out in fairly remote areas, and I need reliable well performing equipment that won't leave me stranded.

I ride about 8000 miles per year on the road. I lube and clean my chains every 100 miles or so with Rock-n-roll Gold per manufacturers instructions. More often in wet weather. I wash my bike and my chains with warm water and Dawn dish washing soap and rinse with a low pressure spray from the hose as needed. If there is some greasy build-up on the drivetrain I scrub with mineral spirits and a brush and rinse with the above mentioned soap and water. After rinsing with water I spin the drivetrain to remove water then wipe the chain down thoroughly with a dry rag and re-lube as usual. I've done this for several years now, and it simply works while taking minimal time, effort and attention. I don't give a lot of thought to keeping the chain clean, but I've been complimented many times as having the cleanest drivetrain in our riding club.