If you enjoy smoking herb or tobacco from a bong, you know how important it is to keep it clean and fresh. A dirty bong can ruin the taste of your smoke, harbor mold and bacteria, and damage your health. Fortunately, cleaning a bong is not too difficult, and you can do it with some simple household items: hot water and salt.
In this blog post, we will show you how to clean a bong with hot water and salt in a few easy steps. You will also learn why this method works, how often you should clean your bong, and what other alternatives you can use if you don’t have salt or hot water handy.
Why Hot Water and Salt?
Hot water and salt are effective for cleaning a bong because they work together to dissolve and scrub away the sticky resin that builds up on the glass over time. Resin is the brownish-black substance that coats the inside of your bong after you smoke. It is composed of tar, ash, cannabinoids, and other compounds that are released when you burn herb or tobacco.
Hot water helps to loosen the resin by melting it and making it easier to rinse off. Salt acts as an abrasive that scrapes off the resin from the glass surface. Salt also dissolves in water, so it won’t leave any residue behind. The coarser the salt, the better it will work as an abrasive. You can use any kind of salt, such as table salt, kosher salt, Epsom salt, rock salt, or Himalayan salt.
How to Clean a Bong with Hot Water and Salt
There are different methods to clean a bong with hot water and salt, but they all involve some common steps: emptying the bong, rinsing it with warm water, adding salt and hot water, and shaking or swirling the bong to remove the resin. You may also need to repeat the process or use some tools to reach the hard-to-clean areas. Here is a detailed guide on how to clean a bong with hot water and salt:
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Empty the bong.
Pour out the old water from your bong and discard any leftover herb or tobacco from the bowl. If your bong has a removable downstem or percolator, take them out as well. -
Rinse the bong with warm water.
Fill your sink or a large container with warm water and submerge your bong in it. Swirl the water around to rinse off any loose resin or debris. You can also run warm water through the mouthpiece and the joint of your bong. Do the same for the downstem, percolator, and bowl if they are detachable. -
Add salt and hot water to the bong.
Pour three or more tablespoons of salt into the bong through the mouthpiece. The amount of salt you need depends on the size of your bong and how dirty it is. Next, fill your bong with hot water until it is just below the shaft line. Be careful not to burn yourself with the hot water. You can use boiling water for better results, but make sure your glass can withstand high temperatures. Alternatively, you can heat up some water in a microwave or a kettle until it is steaming hot. -
Shake or swirl the bong.
Cover the mouthpiece and the joint of your bong with your hands or some plastic wrap and rubber bands. Shake or swirl your bong vigorously for several minutes to make the salt and hot water work their magic on the resin. You should see the resin dissolving and coming off the glass walls. You can also tilt your bong in different directions to reach all areas. -
Rinse the bong again with warm water.
After shaking or swirling your bong, pour out the dirty water and salt mixture from your bong. Rinse your bong again with warm water until it is clear and sparkling. You can also use a pipe cleaner, a cotton swab, or a bottle brush to scrub any stubborn spots that remain. -
Dry and enjoy your clean bong.
Wipe your bong dry with a clean cloth or paper towel. Reassemble your bong if you took apart any pieces. Fill it with fresh water and pack some herb or tobacco in the bowl. Enjoy smoking from your clean and fresh bong!
How Often Should You Clean Your Bong?
How often you should clean your bong depends on how frequently you use it and how dirty it gets. However, a good rule of thumb is to clean your bong at least once a week to prevent resin buildup and mold growth. You should also change the water in your bong after every smoke session to avoid inhaling harmful bacteria and fungi that can cause lung infections and pneumonia.
Cleaning your bong regularly will not only improve the taste and quality of your smoke, but also extend the life and value of your bong over time. A clean bong is also more aesthetically pleasing and shows that you care about your health and hygiene.
What If You Don’t Have Salt or Hot Water?
If you don’t have salt or hot water available, don’t worry. There are other ways to clean your bong that are equally effective. Here are some alternatives you can try:
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Isopropyl alcohol.
Isopropyl alcohol, also known as rubbing alcohol, is a powerful solvent that can dissolve resin and kill germs. You can use 91% to 99% isopropyl alcohol for best results. Simply fill your bong with alcohol and shake it well. You can also add some salt to make it more abrasive. Let your bong soak in alcohol for a few hours or overnight for deeper cleaning. Rinse your bong thoroughly with warm water before using it. -
Vinegar.
Vinegar is another natural solvent that can remove resin and disinfect your bong. You can use white vinegar or apple cider vinegar for this purpose. Fill your bong with vinegar and shake it well. You can also add some salt or lemon juice to make it more abrasive and acidic. Let your bong soak in vinegar for a few hours or overnight for deeper cleaning. Rinse your bong thoroughly with warm water before using it. -
Dish soap.
Dish soap is a mild detergent that can help loosen the resin and make it easier to rinse off. Fill your bong with warm water and add a few drops of dish soap. Shake or swirl your bong well. You can also add some salt or baking soda to make it more abrasive. Let your bong soak in the soapy water for a few minutes or longer for deeper cleaning. Rinse your bong thoroughly with warm water before using it. -
Bong cleaner.
Bong cleaner is a specialized product that is designed to clean bongs effectively and safely. It usually contains natural ingredients that are biodegradable and non-toxic. You can find bong cleaner online or at your local smoke shop. Follow the instructions on the label to use the product correctly. Usually, you just need to fill your bong with the cleaner and shake it well. Rinse your bong thoroughly with warm water before using it.
Conclusion
Cleaning a bong with hot water and salt is a simple and effective way to keep your bong in good shape. It will help you enjoy a smoother and tastier smoke, as well as protect your health from mold and bacteria. All you need are some common household items: hot water, salt, and some elbow grease.
However, if you don’t have salt or hot water handy, you can also use other methods to clean your bong, such as isopropyl alcohol, vinegar, dish soap, or bong cleaner. The important thing is to clean your bong regularly and change the water often to prevent resin buildup and mold growth.
We hope this blog post has helped you learn how to clean a bong with hot water and salt. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them below. Happy smoking!
