I know what you mean about cleaning -- lots of time. For smaller items I use Simple Green in an enamel stock pot -- stainless steel is good also -- anyway I put it on a hot plate -- heat Simple Green to boiling and let parts soak a few minutes then they're ready to scrub clean. for disposal I strain the liquid through paper towels - towels to the trash and the rest you can pour out. Admittedly it is not as fast as solvents, but a lot safer.
