The problem with water is it typically carries minerals and O2. Not to mention any phosphates or chemicals any soaps would carry. That is why saltwater is such a problem for circuit boards. If you use water I would reccomend distilled or demineralized and no soap. In my attempts to recover saltwater damaged equipment I would rinse in fresh and go right to alcohol before it could dry.
Alcohol is a pretty good solvent but pretty benine toward circuit boards, solder and components. Way back when, we used to use "trike" or tri-chlor-ethane(ethane is sane, ethene is mean). Approved electronic cleaners used to be a servicewid exam question
Motors are a little different animal. They usually have larger gaps and dont suffer from solder corrosion and creep. I have seen them dipped and pressure washed then airdried or baked.
The last ship I was on the main motors were the size of a garage and had walkin access doors to access and service the brushes. Brush wear led to carbon buildup in the windings and ultimately flashover, so when the resistance to frame readings would drop, They would pressure wash them then insulate the enclosures and blow hot air in thru the ventilation to cook them dry in place. But i digress