How to Clean a Bong: Reasons, Materials, Steps, and Frequency

From isopropyl alcohol to kosher salt or hot water, you’ve different options to clean your dirty bong and maximize its performance. When you smoke cannabis using a glass bong, the residue from the cannabis slowly builds up. If you don’t clean that debris over time, it will discolor the water, and a muddy taste and aroma will come from it. Also, you’ll suffer from serious health issues.

So, to help you clean and maintain a bong, we’ll discuss all the key things you need to know about the cleaning process, materials, and frequency. Get ready to enjoy every hit to the fullest with a fresh-smelling bong!

Why Should You Clean a Bong?

You should clean a bong to enjoy refreshing and smooth smoking at every hit. Smoking out with dirty bongs can harm your health. Here are 5 key reasons highlighting the importance of cleaning a bong:

• Contaminants: When you use bongs and do not clean them properly, they can accumulate bacteria, mold, and other pollutants. All those contaminants can be inhaled along with the smoke when you vapor using a bong. So, to avoid respiratory infections and other health problems, cleaning the bong regularly after use is essential.
• Resing buildup: A sticky or tar-like substance builds up inside the bong over time. This resin can contain toxins and other harmful substances that can be inhaled per smoke. Also, it can clog your bong’s downstem and percolators.
• Poor air quality: A dirty bong is filled with higher levels of harmful substances and leads to serious health problems. It also reduces airflow, which makes it harder to smoke properly. By cleaning, you can restore your bong’s functionality and ensure smooth, easy hits and optimal performance.
• Better flavor: When resin and tar build up inside a bong, a muddy taste and aroma come after each hit. So, to enjoy the refreshing and true taste of cannabis, you must clean your bong properly.
• Risk of fire: If you leave a dirty bong in direct sunlight or in a warm place for too long, the resin or other contaminants can ignite. So, keep your clean and store it in a cool and safe place at home.

What Materials Do You Need to Clean a Bong?

To effectively clean a glass bong, there are different key materials and tools, such as:

Isopropyl alcohol​: Dissolves resin and kills bacteria.

Salt: A coarse abrasive for scrubbing.

Baking soda: It acts as a mild deodorizer and abrasive.

Vinegar: It works as a natural cleaning agent.

Large zip-lock bag: A container for soaking small bong parts.

Dish soap: It breaks down oils and residue inside the bong.

Warm water: It helps to rinse and loosen up residue.

Rubber gloves: Protect your hands from the cleaning solution and prevent any irritation.

Paper towels or microfiber cloths: These are necessary for drying your glass bong after cleaning.

Q-tips: The cotton swab end of q-tips is ideal for getting into small nooks and tight spaces in the bong to remove residue.

What are the Best Bong Cleaning Products Available in Stores?

Isopropyl alcohol and coarse salt are the best bong cleaning products suggested by bong manufacturers. Other popular and accessible products for cleaning a new bong or used ones are:

• Coarse/Epsom salt
• Pipe cleaner
• Universal cleaning caps and plugs set
• Cotton swaps
• Large straw brush
• Heavy-duty beakers
• Glass wipes, and many others.

How to Clean a Glass Bong at Home?

The best way to clean a glass bong at home is to use alcohol, cleaning solution, salt, or hot water. Here are the best step-by-step instructions to clean a bong!

Step 1: First, pour bong water into a sink and use warm water to rinse out.

Step 2: Detach all loose parts of the bong and use a Ziploc or plastic bag to soak those removable parts of the bong.

Step 3: Apart from using hot water, you can use other cleaning solutions, alcohol, or salt to prevent debris buildup.

Step 4: Fill your bong base with alcohol and add 1-2 tablespoons of any salt like rock or Epsom salt.

Step 5: Shake thoroughly and rinse out the cleaning solutions from the bong. 

Step 6: Dry the bong properly using a clean towel.

How to Remove Resin from a Glass Pipe?

To remove resin from a glass pipe, you’ll need:

• Zip-toe bag
• Salt (optional)
• Cotton swabs (optional), and
• Isopropyl alcohol (90% preferably & 70% minimum)

After collecting all the necessary products, follow our step-by-step instructions:

Step 1: Pour the pipe with a teaspoon of salt (per four inches of pipe) and isopropyl alcohol. If you don’t have coarse salt, you can use Epsom/rock salt.

Step 2: Seal the holes with your fingers before shaking the pipe for up to 2 minutes. You can also use a small zip-top bag to prevent any spillage while shaking.

Step 3: Pour the mixture and check how much buildup has been washed out. If you notice any debris, repeat the process.

Step 4: If you find out that this method isn’t working as you planned, then you can soak the piece in the mixture for a few hours or overnight.

Step 5: Once the pipe is cleaned properly, rinse it under warm water and dry it with a clean towel.

How to Clean a Bong with Hot Water and Salt at Home?

Here’s the easiest 6 ways to clean a bong with hot water and salt at home:

• Like other cleaning processes, take apart your bong attachments like downstem, bowl, and others.
• Fill the bong’s base with hot water and leave some space at the top. 
• Now, add a generous amount of salt to the water.
• Cover the openings of the bong with your fingers and shake thoroughly.
• If you have a pipe cleaner or a soft brush, you can use it to clean hard-to-areas debris.
• Empty the bong, rinse it with clean water and set it aside to dry it properly before reassembling it.

How to Clean a Bong with Kosher Salt and Isopropyl Alcohol at Home?

To clean a bong with kosher/coarse salt and isopropyl alcohol, you’ll need 4 essential supplies:

• Ziplock bags (1 for each bong you want to clean)
• Isopropyl alcohol
• Kosher salt, and
• Bottle cleaners/brushers (for harder-to-reach parts and stubborn stains).

Now that, you’ve all the essential supplements in your hand, follow our step-by-step guide:

• At first, fill the ziplock bag with enough isopropyl alcohol to submerge the loose part and bong.
• Add a couple of tablespoons of kosher salt into each bag and seal up. Make sure there’s not too much air trapped inside to avoid moisture.
• Shake it carefully to avoid hitting the counter. The salt rubs against all parts of your piece constantly.
• Now, let the mixture sit aside for about 5 minutes or so, considering how dirty it is.
• After that, take a bottle of cleaner and scrub every nook and cranny until all the gunk has been loosened and removed from your piece.
• Now, put all those parts from each bag into the sink and rinse them with warm water properly.

Isn’t it cool and the best way to clean a water bong? Just look at its aesthetic and enjoy a refreshing hit at every puff. 

How to Clean Latex or Acrylic Bongs at Home?

You can clean latex or acrylic bongs using hot water, a pipe cleaner, or a large straw brush at home. Unlike glass bongs, you must take special precautions in cleaning the acrylic bong. Avoid alcohol because it can break down and strip acrylic and latex materials.

Here are the best 9 ways to clean a dirty bong at home:

• Wear rubber gloves at first to protect your hands from the hot water and soap.
• Disassemble bongs like the bowl, downstem, and other removable parts. 
• Wash out all the pieces with hot water so no loose debris is left.
• Fill a sink or bucket with hot water and add a few drops of dish soap.
• Immerse all the bong pieces in the soapy water and let them soak for 10-15 minutes.
• Now, use pipe cleaners or a bottle brush to scrub the inside of the bong, and ensure all resin is cleaned properly. For the outer part, you can use a soft sponge or cloth.
• Clean out all pieces thoroughly with hot water to remove any soap residue.
• Dry all the pieces with a clean and dry towel before reassembling.
• Try to clean regularly to prevent resin growth and maintain its performance.

How to Clean a Silicone Bong?

You can clean a silicone bong using dishwashers, soap, and other materials. Unlike acrylic bongs, silicons are durable enough and easy to clean. Here, we’ve mentioned 3 methods for cleaning a silicone bong and keeping it in perfect shape!

Before that, let’s check out key material lists:

• Warm water
• Dish soap
• Soft brush, bottle brush, or sponge,
• Commercial silicon bong cleaner (optional)
• Towel
• Freezer (optional)
• Bowl or basin

Now that you’ve all the necessary items in your hand let’s go through the silicon bong cleaning methods below:

Method 1: Dishwasher method

Take apart your loose pieces of bong and place them in a safe place. After that, use your dishwasher to clean your bong, and use dish soap or detergent to remove residue. Try to wash loose parts separately.

Method 2: Soap and water method

Use mini dish soap and warm water to clean the silicon bong properly. Rinse out your bong with hot water and add a little amount of dish soap to the inside of the bong. You can use a bottle brush to scrub away any debris from hard-to-reach areas or shake it perfectly. Before shaking, bind up the bong pipe with your hands. Now, rinse the bong with warm water and dry it properly

Method 3: Freezer method

Another effective method to remove built-up resin is the freezer method. Start by rinsing the bong with clean water. Place the bong pieces in a freezer-safe plastic bag, ensuring there’s no moisture inside. Seal the bag tightly and wait at least 4 hours or overnight for stubborn residue.

Remove the bag from the freezer and set aside to liquefy. After that, use your fingers or a soft brush to scrape off the debris gently, and rinse the pieces with warm water. Now, dry all the pieces with a clean towel and allow them to air dry.

How Often Should You Clean a Bong at Home?

You can clean a bong once a week at home if you’re a light smoker (smoke only 1-2 bowls a day). On the other hand, bong manufacturers suggest cleaning twice a week who vape frequently (at least 5-10 bowls per day). Also, you must replace your bong water often after every smoke session to avoid mold.

Here, we’ve highlighted the top 5 tips that help you to maintain a clean bong:

Change bong water frequently: Try changing the bong water after each use to prevent bacteria or mold growth. You can use filtered or distilled water rather than stagnant water to reduce mineral buildup.

Rinse after each use: After each smoking session, use hot water to clean your bong. It helps to prevent residue even if you use a bong more frequently.

Use ash catchers or screens: Try to use brass screens or ash catchers that prevent ash and debris from getting into your bong.

Avoid harsh cleaning products: Harsh cleaning products can be harmful when heated and cause health hazards.

Store your bong properly: When not in use, store your bong in a clean and dry area (protective case or bag).

Frequently Asked Question to Cleaning a Bong

What are Common Mistakes You Need to Avoid During the Bong Cleaning Process?

The 5 most common cleaning mistakes you need to avoid during the bong cleaning process:

• Don’t use too much cleaning detergent
• Don’t use harsh chemicals
• Avoid using too much hot water
• Ensure you rinse out all residues of cleaning agents
• Avoid using tap water; rather, use distilled or home-filtered water

Can I use Hydrogen peroxide to Clean a Bong?

Yes, you can use hydrogen peroxide to clean only a glass bong. Whenever you use hydrogen peroxide, you must wear gloves.

Conclusion

Wrapping the article: how to Clean a Bong - isn’t it as simple as it sounds? A clean means means tastier hits and proper airflow across the bong. Don’t forget to keep your bong clean frequently by using the right materials and following our step-by-step.

Feel free to share your thoughts and don’t forget to mention your favorite cleaning process with us!