after trying numerous concoctions and devices to clean chains, I've decided that it's all just a big waste of time and effort...

chains are a cheap wear item, don't really care if I get 5K or 10K miles from one. just measure wear with a steel ruler and throw a new one on when it's time.

maintenance consists of simply wiping with an old t-shirt and lube as needed. if I'm really feeling anal, I might take an old toothbrush to one if I see some accumulated gunk.

if you ride in sand and salt, there may be a point to more fastidious procedures...but, I don't encounter those, so I go with the lazy approach.