howaboutme: Just go to your local Home Depot and buy OMS:

Klean-Strip 1 qt. Odorless Mineral Spirits QKSP94005 - The Home Depot

Wipe the outside of the chain clean, submerge in OMS within a clean pasta sauce jar, and agitate for a minute. Repeat a few times. Then submerge the chain in a second bath (i.e., another jar of OMS), and do the same thing. Chain comes out spotless. Air dry (if you are in warm and dry climate) or wipe dry (if you are in a cold and wet climate).

Wear nitrile gloves during the entire process.