Sometimes, in my case more some than times, I too will engage in deep cleaning Mister Long. I noticed my lead scews were no longer blingblinging and after a closer look I was supprised the mill would even run anything at all down that lead screw. It was black from an accumulated mix of grease and wood dust.
I first went with an old tooth brush.. it worked.. a wee, but it got saturated within seconds and after that it kinda moved the goo from one groove to the other.
I had to come up with a way to do this quick and easy and after some grey fluf scratching this is what I came up with as my newest awesome (cheap ass always) upgrade to tha mill.
Introducing The auto lead screw deep cleaning jig thingy.
Next project is trying to record Led zeppelins stairway to heaven on it.