A glass bong is a great way to enjoy your favorite herb or tobacco, but it can also get dirty and clogged over time. The tar and resin that build up inside the bong can affect the taste, smell, and smoothness of your smoke, as well as harbor mold and bacteria that can harm your health. That’s why it’s important to clean your glass bong regularly and properly, using safe and effective methods.
In this blog post, we will show you how to clean a glass bong using various ingredients and tools that you can easily find at home or at a nearby store. We will also give you some tips on how to maintain your bong and prevent it from getting too dirty in the first place. By following these simple steps, you can keep your glass bong sparkling and shiny, and enjoy a better smoking experience.
What You Will Need
To clean a glass bong, you will need the following items:
- A glass bong
- Isopropyl alcohol (90% or higher is preferred)
- Coarse salt (such as kosher or sea salt)
- Resealable plastic bags (large enough to fit the smaller parts of the bong)
- Cotton swabs or pipe cleaners
- Dish soap and warm water
- Tongs or gloves (optional)
These are the basic ingredients and tools that you will need for most methods of cleaning a glass bong. However, depending on the type and size of your bong, you may also need some additional items, such as:
- A bottle brush or a wire hanger (to scrub the inside of the bong)
- A saucepan or a microwave-safe container (to heat up the alcohol)
- Vinegar, baking soda, or lemon juice (to use as alternatives or supplements to alcohol)
How to Clean a Glass Bong in 5 Easy Steps
Now that you have gathered all the necessary items, you are ready to start cleaning your glass bong. Here are the five easy steps that you need to follow:
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Separate all the moving parts from the bong.
This includes the slide, the bowl, the stem, and any other removable pieces. You will clean them separately from the main body of the bong. You may want to wear gloves or use tongs to handle them, as they may be sticky and smelly from the resin. -
Rinse out the pieces in hot water.
This will loosen up any of the bigger chunks of resin that may be clogging up your bong. The hotter the water the better, but be careful not to burn yourself or crack the glass. If your piece is cold, start with lukewarm water and slowly raise the temperature. For smaller, routine cleanings, you can just rinse out the bong quickly and move on to further cleaning. -
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. For smaller pieces with tough, thick stains, like your slide or bowl, it can help to freeze the piece for 30 minutes. This loosens up chunks of resin and makes them easier to knock off. Be sure to dry the bowl before freezing. -
Fill your plastic bags with isopropyl alcohol and salt.
Place each of the smaller parts in a separate bag and make sure they are fully submerged in the liquid. Alcohol reacts with the tar and resin, making it easier to remove. Salt acts as an abrasive agent that helps scrub away the stubborn stains. You can also add some vinegar, baking soda, or lemon juice to enhance the cleaning power of alcohol. Seal the bags tightly and shake them vigorously for a minute or two. Then let them soak for at least 15 minutes, or longer if they are very dirty. -
Clean the main body of the bong.
Pour some alcohol and salt into the bong and cover all the holes with your fingers or some plastic wrap. Shake it well for a minute or two, then let it soak for at least 15 minutes, or longer if it is very dirty. You can also heat up the alcohol in a saucepan or a microwave-safe container before pouring it into the bong, but be careful not to boil it or overheat it, as this could bust the glass. Alternatively, you can use vinegar, baking soda, or lemon juice instead of or along with alcohol.
How to Rinse and Dry Your Glass Bong
After soaking and shaking your glass bong and its parts, you need to rinse and dry them properly. Here’s how:
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Pour out the alcohol/salt mixture.
Dispose of the liquid in a safe and environmentally friendly way. Do not pour it down the drain, as it may clog your pipes or harm your septic system. You can reuse the alcohol for future cleanings if you filter out the salt and debris. -
Rinse with warm water and dish soap.
Rinse each piece thoroughly with warm water to make sure no alcohol or salt are left. You can also use some dish soap to remove any remaining residue or odor. Scrub the inside of the bong with a bottle brush or a wire hanger if needed. Use cotton swabs or pipe cleaners to clean the smaller parts. -
Let it dry completely.
Place each piece on a towel or a rack and let it air dry until it doesn’t smell like alcohol (usually an hour or so). You can also use a hair dryer or a fan to speed up the process, but be careful not to overheat the glass. Do not use your bong until it is completely dry, as this could affect the taste and quality of your smoke.
How to Maintain Your Glass Bong
Cleaning your glass bong regularly and properly will ensure that you get the best smoking experience possible. However, there are also some things that you can do to prevent your bong from getting too dirty in the first place. Here are some tips on how to maintain your glass bong:
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Change the water in your bong after every smoke session.
This will prevent the water from getting stale and full of tar and debris. Stale water can affect the taste and smell of your smoke, as well as harbor mold and bacteria that can harm your health. Use fresh, filtered water for the best results. -
Empty and rinse your bong when not in use.
This will prevent the water from evaporating and leaving behind a crusty layer of resin on the glass. It will also prevent dust and dirt from accumulating inside the bong. Store your bong in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat sources. -
Deep clean your bong roughly once a week.
Depending on how often and how much you smoke, you may need to deep clean your bong more or less frequently. A good rule of thumb is to deep clean your bong when it starts to look brown and full of tar, or when you can’t see through the glass. Use the methods described above to deep clean your bong and keep it sparkling and shiny.
Conclusion
Cleaning a glass bong is not a difficult or expensive task. All you need are some common household items and some time and patience. By following these simple steps, you can clean your glass bong properly and safely, and enjoy a better smoking experience with your favorite herb or tobacco.
