Chain cleaners and citrus degreasers

I bought a park tools chain cleaner about a year ago. Couple with white spirit it's been brilliant 
However...my chain cleaner is kind of black now and uncleanable and white spirit is rather nasty stuff. I wasn't keeping on top of my chains and so when they got cleaned they where pretty dirty. So now I have bought the same cleaner and will be using citrus degreaser to go with it. Planning to clean my chains at least once a week/as needed. Never going to let them gunk up again.
My questions: How can you make citrus degreaser go further...and how do you keep a chain cleaner...clean?
Thanks

However...my chain cleaner is kind of black now and uncleanable and white spirit is rather nasty stuff. I wasn't keeping on top of my chains and so when they got cleaned they where pretty dirty. So now I have bought the same cleaner and will be using citrus degreaser to go with it. Planning to clean my chains at least once a week/as needed. Never going to let them gunk up again.
My questions: How can you make citrus degreaser go further...and how do you keep a chain cleaner...clean?
Thanks
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2015 Specialized Roubaix Sport sl4
2014 Specialized Allez Sport
maybe I leave it too long between cleans?
it's good for chains, other parts, plus non-bike stuff, the tank is stainless steel, just big enough for a chain to lay flat in the bottom, so it's economical with degreaser, and wipes clean after use
citrus degreaser, or water+fairy liquid, or just water, depending on what's being cleaned
kmc link on the chain allows it to be removed
wipe off gunk with a rag, one zap in citrus, rinse under the tap, zap again in hot water, pop in low oven to dry, put in chain box and oil while warm, leave in box to seep in - i use three chains in rotation, i've found they are lasting much longer this way than when i used a chain cleaner
I've always been wary of taking my chain off....thought if I didn't put it back the same way as I took it off it'll wear cogs quicker....maybe I'm being silly?
I usualy use it to degrease car parts and the engine bay, And more often whilst cleaning the car.
Its fantastic stuff. I just adjust the ratio dependant on what I am using it for
http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acatalog ... cat19.html
Chain cleaners are simply ridiculous
Ooo I'd have to disagree with that! Mines been great.
I’m with ugo on this one.
I used to use a chain cleaner but it was just a messy nightmare. Then over the winter I switched to Park Tool Chain Brite and cotton rags – excellent results!
Now the weather is drier I’ve switched to Progold Prolink lube which cleans and lubes the chain at the same time – and it really works! Shiny quiet chain :-)
A bit much after every mucky ride if you commute though. I commute on a Ribble Gran Fondo with Campag Centaur which is fairly expensive stuff - so, after every wet commute, I run the chain through a chain cleaner - it takes about a minute and keeps the chain clean enough. Then at weekends I regularly take the chain and cassette off and give it a proper clean in hot degreaser which brings it all up like new.
The chain cleaner is a useful thing that enables a quick de-gunking to be done. If you have more time/discipline then fine but it is completely incorrect to say that they are ridiculous.
Rags are all very well but I can't see how they get the cack out between the links which is a serious cause of transmission wear. On the other hand, if most of your riding is in the dry I can see why you might not see the need for anything more involved.
not sure I`d go so far as that BUT a concern with any chain cleaner is how do you ensure it is all removed after using it, ??
ie if some solvent / degreaser cpd left within roller links then that coudl interfere with lubricant properties >>> increased chain wear. Personally much prefer either use Rock`n Roll Gold or Progold Prolink bothof which seem to clean chain during application, or sometimes Finish Line green on MTB and then just water wash it off.
It hardly ever rains down south... it did rain once in March.
That said, I am in Italy now and it's raining... :evil: and you are right, I am staying in...
PTFE and silicone combo spray - the best stuff since Campagnolo was invented.
Have you tried deep frying it in rapeseed oil?
Erare humanum est