Well, I never new cleaning a freewheel was quite so controversial.

I keep single use, solvent-resistant glove in the parts cleaning tray. They not only keep the solvent off the skin but also the nasty, black grease.

No matter which solvent I use, I do my cleaning out of doors only, so there's lots of fresh air.

We also have a stiff on-shore flow at all times, so there's not really any solvent smell, either.

Perhaps, I will disassemble, clean and grease one of my unused freewheels. I haven't done that in a long, long time. I have all the tools needed.

For lube, I have quite a selection of greases, including a large tub of waterproof grease that looks and feels just like Phil grease. Lithium grease was suggested, I have some of that, too.