Originally Posted by zoridog
I've used mineral spirits and other high powered degreasers for cleaning my chains in the past. My wife was always complaining about the smell. Last year I did the Citrus or Simple Green treatment and a toothbrush. About 6 months ago I ran out of citrus and used baby shampoo instead.
This stuff clings on to the chain and sprays right off. I've been getting my chain clean without using a toothbrush and it works really, really well. I put a handfull of shampoo (undiluted) in one cupped hand and pull the chain through it with the other. Spray with water and I'm done in less than a minute. I use a hair dryer and lube it right away.
I know alot of folks say water and chains don't mix, but my chain gets more than it's share of puddle water. My toothbrush isn't spraying a fine, black, greasy mist on my clothes any more. I have had zero problems and much cleaner chains in the last 1000 miles. It may work for you as well.
Are you sure it is getting into the places where it's needed most -- between the roller/innerplate bushing/rivet interfaces? Or is it simply doing a nice cosmetic job on the outside to make the chain look all nice and clean?
Refer to
this current thread on Bicycle Mechanics to get a better understanding of what I am saying. Cosmetic cleanliness on a chain is worthless if you don't get the stuff out from inside... and as far as I can tell, a solvent and the proven method I suggest in
this thread is the only way to do that. No need for toothbrushes and the solvent smell is kept at bay.