CollectingSnapOn.com

Depending on what kind of mess it is I normally wipe them down with a shop rag, and sometimes use WD40.

I started out as a Heavy Line Mechanic in a dealership (where I started buying a LOT of Snap-On tools!)..
We had the "Safe-T-Kleen" service providing a parts cleaner. In addition to cleaning car parts, we (four)
mechanics used it, and the ubiquitous "red rag" to clean our tools.
Years later (like nearly forty), my own shop has a Parts Cleaner, except it's filled with kerosene. I find
it to be (for me) the best parts and tool cleaner/degreaser around.
Charles.

Thanks for the tips here. I am new to buying tools, and have been using brake cleaner. I wouldn't have thought about using oil of any type, because I'm generally cleaning them to get oil and grease OFF the tools. But this seems like the way to go. Come to think of it, when you take new tools out of their packaging, they usually have a thin film of oil on them. I expect this is to protect the finish?

probably to reduce rust.

I have cleaned my Snap On screwdriver handles with brakleen and it does not bother them, plastic handled hammers either. I have used them all in cleaning tanks, gotten lacquer thinner on them, brake fluid, and the Snap On handles take it all.