I just use washing up liquid and water with mine, seems to work (got it for the commuter, which had strata of crap built up on the chain). Leaves the chain covered in bubbles, but a quick spray with WD-40 shifts those, then proper lube goes back on. Seems to work, and somehow I prefer that to using proper degreasers. For all I know washing up liquid is much worse but the chain hasn't melted yet.
I've used the chain-in-a-jar-of-degreaser option before, that probably works a little better and is still pretty easy, but I reckon this way is slightly simpler (30 seconds to prepare it, 30 seconds cleaning and then pour the remaining contents down the sink.)