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@EdwardZ
Chains can never really be cleaned. Most "degreasers" don't do anything but flush the lubricant and leave the grit. Adding new lubricant just creates a grinding paste. That is why people in the "old days" used Diesel fuel to clean their chains. "Cooking" chains in a heavy lubricant or wax used to also be popular.
Diesel has been, more or less, replaced by "self cleaning" lubricants-- most of which can be replicated by using a mixture of synthetic motor oil and mineral spirits. This is effectively what a number of "high tech" bicycle chain producs are. The problem is, I think, getting the balance of the mix right.
Prolink--- which I got years ago on a US trip--- just smells of its solvents but it does work so I'd assume a high spirit to oil ratio.
I recently recieved a can of something called "INNOTECH High Tech Ketten Fluid 105" to try out. It seems quite similar but less pungent. I suspect they use a more volatile solvent--- but less. I have not had enough time to get an meaningful experience with it but I expect it to perform at least as well. It seems to remove the dirt just as well and leave the chain feeling dry on the outer plates-- where lubricants don't do any good.