Moving away from brake cleaner, there are plenty of alternatives to clean and degrease your engine without the risk of damaging it. One option is fairly self-explanatory, that being engine degreaser. There are numerous brands out there to choose from that all operate in similar ways. All you have to do is apply it to the engine parts you want to clean, let it sit for a bit, and then wipe it off with a brush and rag. The only thing to be mindful of when using a degreaser is your car’s paint, as it’ll take it right off with ease.
Alternatively, there are homemade degreasers you can create with only a few household products. One of the most popular consists of two parts ammonia, two parts water, and one part dish soap, which are all combined in a spray bottle and used similarly to a store-bought degreaser. Diluted washing soda in warm water is also a commonly used DIY degreaser. The only downside to homemade recipes is that they may lack the strength needed to clean heavy grease effectively, so you might have to resort to a store-bought blend or thoroughly yet carefully scrub with a brush.
All in all, degreasing and cleaning your engine isn’t a hard process; it’s just important to use the proper cleaner when doing so. To help you further, SlashGear also has a step-by-step guide on how to clean your car’s engine bay.