I have good luck with mineral spirits. It cuts through grease and grime, has a longer working time than alcohol and doesn't leave a residue. It works well with rags, Qtips, old tooth brushes, dental floss (for tight spaces), etc.. I keep some in a handy spray bottle.

Sometimes I'll use citrus based cleaner in an ultrasonic cleaner if I'm going to disassemble everything. It cuts way back on the elbow grease.

I find that if I thoroughly clean everything (which usually means disassembly, cleaning, reassembly, adjustment, etc.) that I rarely need any lube in an EM game for home use. I usually reserve lube for things that have wear that I can't fix or grease/grime in places I can't get apart which isn't very often.

/Mark