Homemade gun cleaning solvents can vary in safety depending on the ingredients used. Common homemade solvents often include items like vinegar, baking soda, or mineral spirits, which can be safe when used properly. However, some ingredients, such as acetone or ammonia, can be hazardous if not handled with care.

When making or using a homemade solvent, consider the following:

1. Ventilation: Always use solvents in a well-ventilated area to avoid inhaling fumes.
2. Protective Gear: Wear gloves and safety goggles to protect your skin and eyes.
3. Storage: Store homemade solvents in clearly labeled containers, away from heat sources and out of reach of children and pets.
4. Testing: Test the solvent on a small, inconspicuous area of your firearm first to ensure it won't damage the finish.

If you're unsure about the safety of a specific recipe, it may be best to stick with commercially available gun cleaning products, which are specifically formulated for firearm maintenance and safety.

Anything homemade has the possibility of being harmful due to chemical reactions that the home brewer does not understand. I would generally say that most commercial gun cleaning solvents are reasonably safe, but you still want to keep the chemicals off your skin and avoid breathing the fumes.

What is a good substitute for gun solvent?

From your bathroom, you need a bottle of hydrogen peroxide. That's it. Two simple, everyday household products that when mixed together in a 50/50 solution will eat away metal deposits in your gun, clean burned particles of metal and gunpowder that stain your gun's innards, and make the outside portions shine like new.