Originally Posted by
msu2001la
An ultrasonic cleaner would work better, but honestly for a commuter bike this level of cleaning seems overkill.
I'd suggest getting something like the Park Tools chain cleaner and a quality degreaser:
https://youtu.be/MuwS_nSevy4
Use the Park Chain Cleaning Tool like is shown above. I ride road-oriented bicycles on asphalt roads near the beach and asphalt MUPs near dirt and have never had a problem with stuff caught in the chain (as far as I can tell). For a cleaner I use Simple Green straight out of the trigger-finger squirt bottle it comes in (you only need a little bit), wipe excess off after removing the cleaning device, then lightly coat the chain with the oil of my choice.