Originally Posted by
Vinnems
For the chain, I take it off and throw it in the ultrasonic cleaner with acetone. Simple green works good too, but I find it takes the luster off some chains and takes a few washes to get fully clean. Acetone works faster.
Everything else, I like the citrus cleaners because they're cheaper, smell good, and doesn't dry my hands out. I take the back wheel off and spray the cassette and use a stiff paint brush to get the muck off it. The rest of the bike, I spray it on a rag and wipe off things as needed.
I would caution that unless it's an explosion-rated ultrasonic cleaner (not all that common), if you use a flammable solution (like your acetone), you should put the solution (and item to be cleaned) in a sealed container (we use glass containers with screw lids) and use a water bath in the cleaner. The ultrasonic waves will travel through the glass.
Most ultrasonic cleaners (especially homeowner-types) are not explosion-proof.