If you're only trying to clean dust off the outside, or free up a stuck piston or carb, the antifreeze method may be overkill. Just a toothbrush and some old fuel will clean up the outside nicely. Pour some fuel into the carb and through the glow plug hole and it will usually free up a sticky situation.

On the subject poison, methanol (the main ingredient in glow fuel) is also bad stuff. Wear latex gloves, don't breathe the fumes and throw out the toothbrush.