Cleaning out gas tube on AK, Important?

[Sebastian the Ibis]

I buy the value packs of washcloths at Ikea, $1 for $12. I cut a strip about 2 inches wide, tie a string to the loop at the corner and run it through the gas tube a dozen times under water. I then dry it off with a second strip and lightly oil everything.

For me soapy water always works better than Break Free or any expensive solvents when cleaning my AK.