remove the chain and clean it by shaking it in plastic jars with some solvent - the cheapest being diesel fuel i think.
the solvent should then be removed as quickly as possible and i would advise you to use some mix of alcohols that would include isopropyl.
any alcohol left will be removed when you apply the lube.
i prefer a hot bath method, having a glass jar (with lid on) in which i put the chain and melt the highly viscous lubricant so that it enters the chain.
hub (seals) are vulnerable to degreasers, rim is vulnerable to stress corrosion and your inner tubes can get ghost punctures more easily if you continue to make a mess cleaning the chain on the bike.
i prefer to clean the chain off the bike regardless of the rim or inner tubes or hubs vulnerability, it's just much faster, less messy and the chain is also better cleaned by shaking it in plastic jars.
i keep a few jars like these:
http://www.fantastipack.com/1750-thi...-twist-cap.jpg