If you wipe down and lube your chain frequently you shouldn't have to use solvents. Lube keeps new dirt on the surface of your chain, so, you go on a ride, and the dirt from that ride stays on the surface. Before your next ride, make sure you wipe down the chain and then lube it. If you don't, then the dirt from your last ride will get ground deep into your chain. Which will require solvents to get out.