Usually, I just buy a pint bottle of each and then use the empty bottles to store it in. Rubbing alcohol is fine, it is what I use. Once I did use a bit of straight Moonshine to the the mix. It worked just as well.
Ginormous,
I don't know how it works. Just that it does. Those that "season" their barrels hate it because it strips down to the metal, cutting their seaoning way. I have always thought water instead of HP might be just as good, but haven't gotten a chance to try it out. (H2-0 = water, HP = H2-02)
I used it in my original guns and all of my reppros for over 15 years. No harm and it really cuts fouling. It will not however cut lead build up. Just make sure you oil it up after because there will be nothing but bare metal left. I prefer Breakfree or RemOil.
Scrat,
This stuff is better than hot soapy water. Does it much quicker. Granted, the best available in the years gone by was hot, soapy water. But if there is something better now, why not use it. I agree it is not rocket science.
FYI, Rockets were around 300 years ago. They were used in China I think around 1st century. The first documented military use was in China in the 1200's. In 1700's in the European Wars, including our revolution, they were used mainly as a terror weapon.