Have you ever wondered how to clean bongs? Then, if you have a bong and want to clean it correctly, you’re on the right page. In the following few sections, we will learn about the various methods you might want to try to implement to clean your bongs thoroughly.
So, if you’ve ever been curious about how to keep your bongs perfectly shiny, here’s everything you need to know.
Cleaning Glass Bongs
While glass bongs are exceptionally beautiful, they are often fragile and require consistent maintenance. That is one of the many reasons why you need to clean your glass bongs even more carefully. But how do you even start with that?
Well, here’s the deal. Follow these simple steps to start and finish the task like a pro!
Step One
As a first step, you need to get rid of the stem and the bowl. If you already use bongs, you probably know that this is the section where cannabis is typically placed. You might want to pop it out right before the cleanup. Why? Because it will simplify the process of cleaning the bong. In the majority of cases, it is not a good idea to have a wet bowl, especially when you are getting the water transferred.
Step Two
You probably know by now that the water in your bong can often get quite sticky. To make things worse, it may even develop resinous qualities. That is why it is not the best idea to transfer it directly to the drain if you have permissible situations. Instead, the best way is to pour the old water into a well-sealed trash container or any other container with proper sealing. Of course, you can also dispose of it in any garbage disposal.
Step Three
As a third step, you need to keep the bong in a zip-lock bag. These bags are usually large and can accommodate every type of mess regardless of volume. So, if you want the lot to be contained, this is your way forward.
If you don’t have this kind of bag, you might want to repeat the mentioned steps in any regular trash bag or, better yet, in your sink. However, if you are employing the second method, exercise proper caution because the resin from the bong may remain as a trace amount on the sides of the sink.
Step Four
As a fourth step, add some isopropyl alcohol to your bong. Ensure the alcohol is poured at the top and in an exact quantity of 16 ounces. The amount, however, may vary according to your bong’s size. If unsure, ensure ample alcohol so the bong is at least half-filled out. If you are using some pre-made concoction of isopropyl alcohol, you might want to follow the same steps as with the alcohol.
Step Five
Once you’re done adding the alcohol, it’s time to add some salt to your bong. This will enable scrubbing the bong’s interiors and help remove the resin altogether. The alcohol is especially useful in cleaning, whereas the salt ensures that the edges of the bong are clean, without any build-up traces. While cleaning the bong with salt, use it in copious amounts for a thorough and consistent scrub.
Step Six
This is the messiest part of it. At this stage, seal your disposal bag and shake it with the alcohol-salt concoction. Make sure it touches every part of your bong interiors. Once completing this step, ensure the alcohol concoction sits within the bong for at least half an hour.
While this isn’t mandatory, soaking will improve the alcohol’s efficiency in thoroughly cleaning your glass.
You can transfer the water from the bong to your disposal bag when you are done. Next, you can directly dump it in the garbage disposal, wet waste section, or sink, whatever best suits you.
Step Seven
As a seventh step, we recommend rinsing the bong with lukewarm water mixed with soap. This is one of the simplest ways to remove trace amounts of alcohol and salt, even before you use the bong the next time.
This step is crucial because alcohol can easily catch fire, leaving your bong in disaster. In most cases, a simple mix of dish soap and warm water does the trick and effectively breaks down the trace elements.
Step Eight
For the final step, you will need a quality pipe cleaner. Now use this device to scrub your bong interiors and exteriors thoroughly. This will help you eliminate the last bit of resin from the bong surface. Again, it is best to rinse with warm water. Additionally, you must ensure it is completely dry before loading it with a new batch of marijuana or cannabis.
Cleaning Your Bong Pipe Without Alcohol
As you would probably guess from the previous section, alcohol is commonly used for cleaning bongs. That is why we recommend using rubbing alcohol like Isopropyl alcohol and the like. As you would probably know, isopropyl alcohol is entirely safe. Regardless, certain users prefer giving the cleanup without using alcohol.
How To Clean A Bong With Simmering Water
Even though this process might be complex and lengthy, it will undoubtedly deliver satisfactory results. First, you must fill a pot with cold water and the bong before heating the water.
The glass pipe will quickly develop cracks if the water is excessively hot. Moreover, the water will evaporate and fully expose certain parts of the bong. Make sure to use a canning rack to keep the bong from touching the bottom of the pot.
Start with medium-low heat, and heat the water slowly. At this point, you need your bong submerged in that simmering water for half an hour. Remember, you must always be present because the process is extremely delicate.
Carefully remove the bong from the water once done, and carefully set it aside to cool down. Once fully cooled down, rinse it off with water, and use a pipe cleaner for a complete cleanup.
How To Clean A Bong With Lemon Water
You can also clean your glass bong with a lemon water concoction. As the title shows, add some lemon to the simmering water. Ensure the water gets to a full boil and gradually release the juice to your bong. Make sure you are following the same steps above.
Certain users also recommend purified water for the process. If you believe this delivers better results, you might want to try it out.
Once you’re done with the warm water and lemon concoction, you might want to put that in your bong, give it a thorough shake, and let the mix rest for at least five minutes. As you do this, the acid cleaves out from the lemon and works on the dirt and deposits.
Like any other standard cleaning process, drain the mixture somewhere safe and rinse your bong thoroughly with lukewarm water once you are done with the cleaning. You might want to repeat this step a couple of times until you get your desired level of cleanliness.
How To Clean A Bong With White Vinegar and Baking Soda
Again, this ones for anyone who wants an excellent replacement for alcohol. In addition to lemon water and the simmering water step, you can also mix baking soda and vinegar. Then, add the ingredients to your bong and place the entire thing in a hardy, disposable trash bag.
Allow the mixture to sit for a couple of hours. Even though the process is just as long as the previous one, it helps you consistently clean up your bong pipe.
How To Clean A Bong With Salt
This is yet another popular way to clean bongs. The process is simple, and unlike the others, it is also reasonably fast. First, add three large tablespoons of salt to your bong pipe. Then, directly add the salt from the device’s mouthpiece. While you may be tempted to use fine-grained salt, we recommend coarse salt because it works better.
The next step is to add some lukewarm water to your bong until it is right under the line of the shaft. At this stage, you might even need to cover the hole of the shaft or any other hole in your bong’s mouthpiece. Give a bong a good stir and repeat the process for a couple of minutes.
Continue to rinse the bong with salt and hot water to get your bong spick and span. Finally, rinse the bong until you’ve fully gotten rid of the salt.
If your bong isn’t heavily dirty, you can also do a quick clean with the numerous bong cleaners available in the market. Even though some of these products are tailored for tobacco pipes, they work just as well in bong pipes, and their reputation is excellent for doing a good cleaning job.
Regardless of your commercial cleaner, don’t forget to give it a thorough shake. For better results, you might even want to add salt to it. Then, when you mix the chemical with the salt, give it another final shake and a good rinse following the cleaning process.
Either way, these processes are simple, and if you are not willing to use alcohol in your bongs, these might be the best two ways to go forward!
Cleaning Latex or Acrylic Bongs
As with glass, you also need to be extra careful when planning to clean up your latex or acrylic bongs. The same applies to plastic bongs. The rule here is to use lukewarm water and a quality pipe cleaner. You might use a straw if you do not have a pipe cleaner handy.
Any other type of brush would be just as helpful. But why exactly do you need these special gadgets? Well, it’s simply because alcohol can quickly disintegrate and strip specific elements from the materials of the bong.
You would want to fill your bong with lukewarm water. Next, please give it a good rinse in your sink. Continue the rinsing step until you find the water filly clean. You might also want to get over-the-counter cleaning agents for latex and acrylic bongs.
Cleaning Silicone Bongs
If you want to clean your silicone bong, you’re in the right spot. Because these bongs are incredibly fragile, you can employ one or multiple methods to clean them. One of the most straightforward solutions would be freezing. As you probably know that silicone is cold-resistant (and also heat-resistant).
Keeping your dirty silicone bong in the freezer for hours is an excellent idea. Then, when the bong is finally out, crush the inner gunk. If you smoke flowers, you might even smell tar at this stage.
Silicone doesn’t react to any polar solvent, and alcohol is that. So to optimally clean your silicone bongs, use warm water and dish soap.
Bottom Line
Now that you have a clear insight into maintaining bongs, you will probably have an easier time cleaning them. Remember, cleaning your bong pipes will be a breeze once you follow the correct steps!
The result? You will be left with some of the best hits with weed that smells fresh, and your lungs, too, will be better protected from the dirt and filth that usually deposits on the surface of the bong.
