According to the Ford TSP (Technical Service Publication):

Quote:
Idle Air Control (IAC) Valve

CAUTION:
Do not use Carburetor Tune-Up Cleaner D9AZ-19579-AA or BA (ESR-M14P9-A) or any other type solvent or damage to the valve internal components may result.

The idle air control valve (IAC valve) (9F715) cannot be cleaned. The idle air control valve must be replaced.
Also:

Quote:
Throttle Body

The throttle body (9E926) for this vehicle is a sludge resistant design with a coating on the bore and plate. Sludge accumulation will not affect the throttle body airflow. Any attempt to clean the bore and plate area will impair the effectiveness of the coating. DO NOT clean the bore and plate area of the throttle body.
Both of these statements indicate that cleaning the IAC and TB is NOT recommended, yet I have seen a lot of posts to the contrary.

If these statements by Ford are correct, then why is everyone cleaning their parts?

Is it that most people figure that if they need to replace the part anyhow, then they will try to clean it first and see if that helps?

Or are the Ford statements incorrect?

1996 Contour SE Sedan 4D (Royal Blue)
Duratec V6 2.5L 24-valve DOHC
Automatic
75,000 miles
No Mods (unless you call the DMD a mod)
Replaced EGR valve (gunked up), EVR (EGR VR), PCV valve, and evaporative emissions hose (cracked).