Cocked, or un-cocked, Hammer springs are still under compression. The safest procedure would be to fully relax the spring by removing it.
Simple Green, while perhaps environmentally friendly, is still caustic, as are all citrus based cleaners. I would suggest it's best left in the garage, for cleaning engines. While it will simply remove paint (completely) at room temperature, it becomes even more potent at elevated temps.
Lock springs are made from a very high carbon steel (Ironically called spring steel) Making the material bend 180 degrees, even when heated cherry red, opens up edges on the outside of the radius. The best springers will carefully grind and polish the springs after bending, and tempering. Lesser quality springs probably don't get this skilled attention.
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