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If you enjoy smoking herb or tobacco from a glass bong, you know how important it is to keep it clean and fresh. A dirty bong can ruin your smoking experience, making it harsh, unpleasant, and unhealthy. Not to mention, it looks gross and smells bad.
Fortunately, cleaning a glass bong is not hard or expensive. You just need some basic household items and a few minutes of your time. In this blog post, we will show you how to clean a glass bong properly and safely, using different methods and ingredients. Follow these simple steps and you will have a sparkling and smooth bong in no time.
Why You Need to Clean Your Glass Bong
There are many reasons why you should clean your glass bong regularly. Here are some of the main ones:
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Better flavor.
A clean bong will allow you to enjoy the true taste and aroma of your herb or tobacco, without any interference from tar, resin, or mold. You will also be able to appreciate the different strains and qualities of your product better. -
Smoother hits.
A clean bong will deliver smoother and cooler hits, reducing the irritation and coughing that can come from smoking a dirty bong. You will also inhale less harmful substances, such as ash, bacteria, or fungi. -
Longer lifespan.
A clean bong will last longer and perform better than a dirty one. You will prevent clogging, cracking, or staining of your glass piece, and avoid damaging its functionality or appearance. -
Hygiene.
A clean bong will prevent the growth of mold and bacteria in your water and on your glass surface. These microorganisms can cause infections, allergies, or respiratory problems if you inhale them. They can also make your bong smell bad and look unappealing.
How Often You Should Clean Your Glass Bong
The frequency of cleaning your glass bong depends on how often you use it and how dirty it gets. However, as a general rule of thumb, you should follow these guidelines:
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Change the water after every smoke session.
This will prevent the water from becoming stale and contaminated with tar, resin, or mold. It will also improve the flavor and smoothness of your hits. -
Deep clean your bong roughly once a week.
This will remove any buildup of tar, resin, or mold that may have accumulated on your glass surface or inside your stem or bowl. It will also restore the shine and clarity of your glass piece.
How to Clean Your Glass Bong with Alcohol and Salt
One of the most popular and effective methods of cleaning a glass bong is using isopropyl alcohol (also known as rubbing alcohol) and coarse salt. These ingredients work together to dissolve and scrub away the tar and resin from your glass piece. Here is how to do it:
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Separate all the moving pieces from the bong.
This includes the stem, the bowl, and any other attachments that can be removed. This will make it easier to clean each part individually and prevent any damage from shaking or scrubbing. -
Rinse out the pieces in hot water.
This will loosen up any of the bigger chunks of tar or resin that may be clogging up your bong. The hotter the water the better, but be careful not to burn yourself or crack your glass piece. If your piece is cold, start with lukewarm water and slowly raise the temperature. -
Knock off any big pieces of resin with cotton swabs or pipe cleaners.
If there are any large chunks of tar or resin that you can easily reach, simply knock them off with gentle scrubbing. If a chunk resists, that’s fine. You just want to get rid of the big, easily removed chunks now. -
Place the smaller parts in resealable plastic bags.
Make sure that they can seal effectively. You’ll use the bag to contain your cleaning fluid while you soak the smaller pieces. You can also use cups or bowls, but they may leave an unsavory smell after cleaning. -
Fill your plastic bags with isopropyl alcohol and salt.
Purchase 90% isopropyl alcohol instead of 71% whenever available, though both will work. They can be found in the first aid section of your supermarket or pharmacy. Make sure the pieces are fully submerged in the fluid. The alcohol reacts with the tar and resin, making it easier to remove, while the salt acts as an abrasive to scrub away the stubborn stains. -
Fill your bong with isopropyl alcohol and salt.
Use the same ratio as for the smaller parts. You can use a funnel to pour the alcohol into the bong, and a cork or a piece of plastic wrap to plug the holes. -
Shake the bags and the bong vigorously.
This will help the alcohol and salt mixture to reach every corner and crevice of your glass piece, and dislodge any remaining tar or resin. Be careful not to drop or break your piece while shaking. You can also let the pieces soak for a few minutes or hours, depending on how dirty they are. -
Pour out the alcohol/salt mixture and rinse with warm water and dish soap.
This will remove any traces of alcohol, salt, or tar from your glass piece. Make sure to rinse thoroughly, as you don’t want to inhale any of these substances later. You can also use a pipe brush or a cotton swab to clean any hard-to-reach spots. -
Let your glass piece dry completely before using it again.
This will prevent any water from diluting your herb or tobacco, or causing mold growth. You can use a paper towel or a hair dryer to speed up the drying process. Your glass piece should be shiny, clear, and odorless after cleaning.
How to Clean Your Glass Bong with Lemon and Boiling Water
Another standard method of cleaning a glass bong without alcohol is to use lemon along with boiling water. Lemon juice is acidic and can help break down the tar and resin from your glass piece, while boiling water can dissolve and flush away the stains. Here is how to do it:
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Separate all the moving pieces from the bong.
This includes the stem, the bowl, and any other attachments that can be removed. This will make it easier to clean each part individually and prevent any damage from boiling water. -
Rinse out the pieces in hot water.
This will loosen up any of the bigger chunks of tar or resin that may be clogging up your bong. The hotter the water the better, but be careful not to burn yourself or crack your glass piece. If your piece is cold, start with lukewarm water and slowly raise the temperature. -
Knock off any big pieces of resin with cotton swabs or pipe cleaners.
If there are any large chunks of tar or resin that you can easily reach, simply knock them off with gentle scrubbing. If a chunk resists, that’s fine. You just want to get rid of the big, easily removed chunks now. -
Squeeze some lemon juice into a saucepan and bring it to a boil.
You can use fresh or bottled lemon juice, depending on what you have available. The amount of lemon juice you need depends on how dirty your glass piece is, but you can start with half a cup and add more if needed. The lemon juice will help loosen up the tar and resin from your glass piece with its acidity. -
Pour some boiling lemon water into your bong and swirl it around.
Be careful not to burn yourself or spill the hot liquid. You can use a funnel to pour the lemon water into the bong, and a cork or a piece of plastic wrap to plug the holes. The boiling lemon water will help dissolve and flush away the tar and resin from your glass piece with its heat and acidity. -
Pour some boiling lemon water into a bowl or a cup and soak your smaller parts in it.
Make sure they are fully submerged in the liquid. The boiling lemon water will have the same effect as for the bong, but for the smaller parts. -
Let the pieces soak for 10-15 minutes or until they are clean.
You can also use a pipe brush or a cotton swab to scrub away any stubborn stains while soaking. The longer you soak, the cleaner your glass piece will be. -
Pour out the lemon water and rinse with warm water and dish soap.
This will remove any traces of lemon juice, tar, or resin from your glass piece. Make sure to rinse thoroughly, as you don’t want to inhale any of these substances later. -
Let your glass piece dry completely before using it again.
