Originally Posted by
3alarmer
...not sure why they say that, but they work with repeated opening and closing, and I see no mechanical reason not to do so.
I use mine for the life of the chain, and am a naturally paranoid risk-averse person.
Those Shimano break off chain pins are another matter, and are only good for one time.
This is the answer to your first question (why I was reluctant to remove the chain for cleaning).
I switched to wax about the same time the Shimano quick links came out and my life became a lot cleaner, easier, and my drive train stuff lasts at least twice as long.