I wouldn't use a degreaser and possibly ruin the bearings as mentioned. What I do is put some cardboard down on the garage floor under the bike stand so I don't get lube all over the floor and spin the cranks while spraying the chain, cassette and derailleur with WD40. Wipe everything down with a rag and then repeat the WD40 flush.
Then wipe down and spin some more till it is dry. Then squirt on my chain lube. Most of the WD40 is a solvent and it evaporates leaving a trace amount of lubricant and it won't hurt the bearings. If it is really grungy, use an old tooth brush and brush the junk off the chain, etc while spraying with WD40, then do the desctibed spin / flush.
Make sure you put down some cardboard underneath or you will suffer the wrath from your wife.
