Originally Posted by VegasTriker

You can reuse mineral spirits if you will let the used solvent sit in a glass bottle for a few days and then pour off the clear portion into a second container, leaving behind the grit. Glass will let you see when you have poured off all of the reusable solvent leaving behind the gunk. The reclaimed solvent will still contain any dissolved oil or lubricant that you used on the part being cleaned but who cares since it is now clean lubricant, free of grit. It works fine for several cleanings before you need to discard it. I don't recommend storing the cleaned solvent in glass permanently because it can get broken

Kerosene and diesel fuel are essentially the same hydrocarbons. I wouldn't use them because they take a long time to evaporate and both you and the part will stink until it does go away. The lighter (more volatile) the solvent, the more effective it is and the quicker it works. You ought to wear rubber gloves when you use any solvent so you don't absorb anything through your skin. It makes cleanup easier too.

As far as flammability goes you should be using all of these solvents outside, away from a source of heat or flame for safety. You should NEVER use them inside a house. It is the use, not storage that causes most fires. If you store them inside, you are better off storing them in the garage rather than in a basement. They should be stored either in the original container they came in or in a tightly sealed plastic or metal container intended for storing flammable solvents. Again, store them away from heat or other ignition sources.

And yes, I am a chemist with HAZMAT training.