Heat is your friend. Even if you use a solvent if the metal is that cold it will only congeal again as you smear it all over the place.
When I start with REALLY greasy parts I hit them with the MAPP gas. Burning/melting off grease is easier than cleaning it. It turns into a black powder than can easily be brushed off.
You need certain tools to do certain jobs. You can't heat up a bucket of water in the house and carry it out?
Most environmentally friendly things are not that great as cleaners. Some ARE very good...but not all.
