If you enjoy smoking herb or tobacco from a glass bong, you probably know how important it is to keep it clean and fresh. A dirty bong can ruin your smoking experience, affect the flavor and quality of your smoke, and pose health risks. In this blog post, we will explain how often you should change the water in a glass bong and why, as well as how to properly clean your bong using simple ingredients and tools.
Why You Should Change the Water in Your Glass Bong
Changing the water in your glass bong is not only a matter of aesthetics, but also of hygiene and safety. Here are some of the reasons why you should change the water in your glass bong regularly:
- Prevent mold and bacteria growth: Water is a breeding ground for microorganisms, especially when it contains organic matter such as tar and resin from your smoke. If you leave the water in your bong for too long, it can become contaminated with mold and bacteria that can cause infections, allergies, and respiratory problems. Mold and bacteria can also affect the taste and smell of your smoke, making it unpleasant and harsh.
- Preserve the flavor and quality of your smoke: Water is essential for cooling and filtering your smoke, making it smoother and more enjoyable. However, if the water is dirty or stale, it can also alter the flavor and quality of your smoke, making it bitter and stale. Dirty water can also clog your bong, reducing its airflow and efficiency.
- Maintain the appearance and durability of your glass bong: Water can also stain and damage your glass bong over time, especially if it contains minerals or chemicals. Hard water can leave calcium deposits on your glass, making it cloudy and dull. Chlorinated water can corrode your glass, making it brittle and prone to cracks. Dirty water can also leave sticky residue on your glass, making it harder to clean.
How Often Should You Change the Water in Your Glass Bong
The frequency of changing the water in your glass bong depends on several factors, such as how often you use it, how much you smoke, what kind of herb or tobacco you smoke, what kind of water you use, and how well you clean your bong. However, as a general rule of thumb, you should change the water in your glass bong after every smoke session. This will ensure that you always have fresh and clean water for your next session, and that you avoid any potential health risks or unpleasant effects from dirty water.
If you use your glass bong occasionally or infrequently, you should still change the water before and after each use. This will prevent the water from stagnating or evaporating in your bong, which can lead to mold and bacteria growth or mineral buildup. You should also store your glass bong in a cool and dry place when not in use, to prevent any damage or contamination.
How to Properly Clean Your Glass Bong
Changing the water in your glass bong is not enough to keep it clean and fresh. You should also deep clean your glass bong roughly once a week to remove any tar and resin buildup that can affect its performance and appearance. Cleaning a glass bong is easy and cheap, using simple ingredients and tools that you probably already have at home. Here are some of the steps to follow:
- Separate all the moving pieces from the bong: To clean your glass bong thoroughly, you need to disassemble it into its main components: the bong itself, the slide or bowl, and the stem or downstem. This will allow you to access all the parts that need cleaning. You may want to wear latex gloves to avoid getting resin on your hands.
- Rinse out the pieces in hot water: The first step is to rinse out all the pieces in hot water to 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 break your glass piece. If your piece is cold, start with lukewarm water and gradually increase 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. You can use cotton swabs, pipe cleaners, or any other soft and flexible tool that can fit into the holes and curves of your piece. If a chunk resists, don’t force it. You will get rid of it in the next step.
- Fill your bong and plastic bags with isopropyl alcohol and salt: The most effective and common method of cleaning a glass bong is to use isopropyl alcohol and salt. Isopropyl alcohol, also known as rubbing alcohol, reacts with the tar and resin, making it easier to dissolve and remove. Salt acts as an abrasive, helping to scrub off any stubborn residue. You can use any kind of salt, but coarse salt works better. You can find isopropyl alcohol in the first aid section of your supermarket or pharmacy. Make sure to get 90% or higher concentration for best results.
- Shake and soak your bong and plastic bags: Pour enough isopropyl alcohol and salt into your bong to fill it halfway. Then, plug the holes with your fingers, rubber stoppers, or plastic wrap. Shake your bong vigorously for a minute or two, making sure that the alcohol and salt reach all the parts of your piece. You should see the liquid turning brown as it dissolves the tar and resin. Then, let your bong soak for some time, depending on how dirty it is. You can soak it for a few minutes, a few hours, or even overnight.
- Repeat the same process with the slide and stem: Place the slide and stem in separate resealable plastic bags. Fill them with enough isopropyl alcohol and salt to cover them completely. Seal the bags and shake them well for a minute or two. Then, let them soak for some time, along with your bong.
- Rinse with warm water and dish soap: After soaking your bong and its parts, pour out the alcohol and salt mixture and rinse them with warm water. You should see most of the tar and resin gone by now. If there are any remaining spots, you can repeat the previous step or use a bottle brush, a pipe cleaner, or a cotton swab to scrub them off. You can also use dish soap to wash your bong and its parts, to remove any traces of alcohol or salt.
- Let it dry completely: The final step is to let your bong and its parts dry completely before using them again. You can use a paper towel or a cloth to wipe them dry, or let them air dry on a rack or a towel. Make sure that there is no moisture left in your piece, as this can cause mold and bacteria growth or affect the taste of your smoke.
Congratulations! You have successfully cleaned your glass bong and made it ready for your next smoke session. Enjoy!
