Cleaning foam air filter?

[Admiral Beez]

Can I use dish soap or what else to clean and reinstall my foam air filter?

[zed1015]

Yes! wash it out with liquid soap /washing up liquid and warm water to remove muck and oil based grime then rinse clean and dry.

[Burque73]

Huh, I used paint thinner. Overkill? Figured it'd cut through the motor oil and dirt.

[slayer61]

Yes! wash it out with liquid soap /washing up liquid and warm water to remove muck and oil based grime then rinse clean and dry.

What is called "washing up liquid" in England is called dish washing liquid over here. Yup, Dawn or whatever your Mrs. uses!

[chuck hahn]

SQUEEZE it ..dont twist and wring it out. easy to tear in half

[Grimly]

I'd be cautious about using solvents on foam. You don't know if it's going to attack the plastic and block the structure. In the case of an expensive foam sock, that's just wasted your money.
Detergents (domestic) are generally safe on them.

[Nessism]

Paint thinner is mineral spirits. That's what I use.

[salty_monk]

I use a citrus degreaser followed by simple green.... but washing up liquid should work too

[Armm]

and not easier to replace it?

[zed1015]

and not easier to replace it?

The whole point of foam filters is that they are washable so you don't keep having to buy replacements .

[Gorminrider]

Detergent is good enough but I think it's a Urethane foam- not "mattress foam" and safe from the usual petroleum derivatives . It has to be proof against gasoline vapours after all.

Keep your eyes open and you'll find the same foam as packing for for fancier doofunnies -it's usually dark grey these days...likely sourceable as suitable sheets somewhere

[Admiral Beez]

Thanks all. I'll break out the Dawn.