Carburetors are made of pot metal, which tends to have a high zinc content. Vinegar is an acid, and will damage the zinc. You should only use hydrocarbon solvents for cleaning carburetors.
Soaking is a great way to clean carbs, and a lot of the time this is sped up by boiling them. Many people will simply use vinegar or even lemon water to boil clean their carbs.
WD-40 allows you to clean your generator carburettor within a few minutes without spending additional time and effort. The potent liquid uses a solvent formula for breaking away carbon contaminants within the carburettor, providing you with a clean and healthy machine in no time.
Mixing Methyl Ethyl Ketone MEK with xylene or alcohol (90% isopropyl) will also make a decent carb cleaner that helps dissolve the gunk buildup on your motorcycle carburetor. WARNING: Most of the ingredients used in carb cleaners are dangerous chemicals.
However, it's important to use a non-corrosive cleaner which doesn't harm or degrade any plastic or rubber pieces on the carburetor. You should avoid using vinegar, because the acetic acid makes metal susceptible to rust.
Mix one tablespoon of white vinegar in one pint of warm water. 3. Soak affected area in the dilute vinegar solution or dampen a clean washcloth and apply to affected area for 30 minutes.
Because vinegar is antimicrobial, soaking the feet in a vinegar bath for 10 to 20 minutes may help to kill the bacteria or fungi contributing towards foot odor. Clean the feet with a regular, soft soap before and after soaking.
Vinegar/lemon juice will work well. The heat and water are able to get places that a simple spray can't. That and the acidic properties help loosen and disintegrate the gunk/varnish fairly well. I boiled mine for about 4 hours each carb and they came out super clean.
WD-40 Specialist® Carb/Throttle Body & Parts Cleaner with attachable precision straw is the only all-in-one carburetor cleaner spray you will need to clean your carburetor, throttle body, and unpainted metal parts.
Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK)
The degreasing and cleaning nature of MEK makes this chemical a main ingredient of carburetor cleaners.
Usually petrol/kerosene are the best cleaning products. I use to use unleaded to clean my vespa air filter. Kerosene is a solvent, and can be used to treat haed lice, so I think your carbs should be safe.
Carburetor: Spray to both ends of the choke valve shaft while working choke by hand. Spray down and around the carburetor throat to remove deposits from the throttle plate area. Do not spray down carburetor throat with engine off. Do not spray below throttle plate.
Generally speaking, you should only ever use carb cleaner to clean your carburetor (if your vehicle has one), whereas you can use brake cleaner to clean your brakes and many other mechanical components.
When cleaning a toilet bowl, WD-40 works by softening the rust and lime deposits, so they can be easily wiped away. You don't need to use much of it. Simply spray on the affected area, wait a minute or two and brush it away with a regular toilet brush.