K&N filter media is cotton gauze.Same thing as your blue jeans.I personally wouldn't use gas,or any kind of petro solvent on them.Squirt it down with Spray-N-Wash,or something like that,and throw it in the washing machine.I'm not kidding.Gets 'em super clean.I started using K&Ns on my desert racers back in the '70s.They were the only thing that did a decent job of filtering,and wouldn't clog up before the end of a 100 mile desert race.I've been using them ever since.I've got two,one on my Commando, and one on my Victor,that are both about 30 years old.Treat them right,and they will last forever.They don't call them the "Million mile air filter" for nothing.
Truthfully,you don't usually
really need to clean them.Just knock the loose dirt off,then re-oil it.The dirt absorbs the oil,so they will dry out after a time.Don't run the filter dry.It's the worst thing you can do.In the first place,it won't stop any dirt,because it's the oil that catches the dirt,not the cotton.Secondly,a dry K&N will start to deteriorate fairly quickly. I've seen lots with holes rotted in them.
Use K&N filter oil.It's supposed to be specially formulated to preserve the cotton.Other oils might work OK too,but why take the chance? If you buy the squeeze bottle,instead of the aerosol,it will last you for years.To me, the aerosol is messy and wasteful,and it's harder to control the amount of oil on the filter.
It is possible to over oil the filter.
Once you get it clean,let it dry completely.Run a bead of oil along the top of each ridge.Set the filter aside,and let the oil permeate the cotton.After the oil has fully soaked in,go back over it,and touch up any dry spots with a small drop of oil.
Hope this helps.
Cheers!
Bruce
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