If you enjoy smoking herb or tobacco from a glass bong, you probably know how important it is to keep your piece clean and fresh. A dirty bong can ruin your smoking experience by making your hits harsher, dulling the flavor of your smoke, and exposing you to harmful bacteria and mold. That’s why you need to change the water in your bong regularly and deep clean it once in a while. But how often should you do it? And what are the best methods to clean a glass bong? In this blog post, we’ll answer these questions and give you some tips on how to properly clean any type of glass bong.
Why you need to change the water in your glass bong
The water in your glass bong serves two main purposes: it filters out some of the tar and toxins from the smoke, and it cools down the smoke to make it smoother for your lungs. However, this also means that the water gets dirty and contaminated with every smoke session. The water can become brown, cloudy, and smelly, affecting the quality and taste of your smoke. Moreover, the water can harbor bacteria and mold that can cause respiratory infections and other health problems if you inhale them.
Therefore, you need to change the water in your glass bong after every smoke session, or at least once a day if you use it frequently. This will ensure that you get the best possible smoking experience every time, and that you avoid any potential health risks from dirty water.
How to deep clean your glass bong
Changing the water in your glass bong is not enough to keep it clean and fresh. You also need to deep clean your glass bong roughly once a week, or more often if you notice a lot of resin buildup or stains on your piece. Deep cleaning your glass bong will remove any stubborn tar and resin that may clog up your piece, affect its performance, and make it harder to clean in the future.
There are different methods to deep clean a glass bong, using various ingredients and tools. Some common ingredients are alcohol, salt, vinegar, baking soda, and lemon juice. Some common tools are bottle brush, pipe cleaner, and saucepan. The basic steps are to fill the bong with the chosen ingredient, shake it, and let it soak for some time, then rinse it with warm water and dish soap. Some methods require boiling water, but this could bust the glass if you’re not careful.
Here are some of the most popular methods to deep clean a glass bong:
- Alcohol and salt: This is one of the easiest and most effective methods to deep clean a glass bong. All you need is isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol (preferably 90% or higher) and coarse salt (such as kosher or sea salt). Pour some alcohol and salt into the bong, plug the holes with paper towels or cotton balls, and shake it vigorously for a few minutes. The alcohol will dissolve the resin, while the salt will act as an abrasive to scrub off any stubborn bits. Let the bong soak for an hour or more if needed, then pour out the alcohol/salt mixture and rinse well with warm water and dish soap. You can also use this method for smaller parts like the slide and bowl by putting them in resealable plastic bags with alcohol and salt.
- Vinegar and baking soda: This is another simple and cheap method to deep clean a glass bong. All you need is white vinegar and baking soda. Pour some vinegar into the bong until it covers most of the stains, then add a few tablespoons of baking soda. The vinegar and baking soda will react and create bubbles that will loosen up the resin. Plug the holes with paper towels or cotton balls, and shake it gently for a few minutes. Let the bong soak for an hour or more if needed, then pour out the vinegar/baking soda mixture and rinse well with warm water and dish soap.
- Lemon juice and boiling water: This is a natural and eco-friendly method to deep clean a glass bong. All you need is lemon juice (fresh or bottled) and boiling water (purified or filtered). Boil some water in a saucepan or kettle, then add some lemon juice to it. The lemon juice will add acidity and help break down the resin. Pour the hot water/lemon juice mixture into the bong carefully, making sure not to burn yourself or crack the glass. Plug the holes with paper towels or cotton balls, and let it sit for 15 minutes or more. Pour out the hot water/lemon juice mixture and rinse well with warm water and dish soap.
For any of these methods, you may need to use some tools like a bottle brush or a pipe cleaner to reach and scrub any hard-to-clean areas. You can also freeze your slide or bowl for 30 minutes before cleaning to make the resin easier to knock off. Be sure to dry your bong and its parts thoroughly before using them again.
Conclusion
Keeping your glass bong clean and fresh is not only good for your smoking experience, but also for your health. By changing the water in your glass bong after every smoke session, and deep cleaning it once a week, you can enjoy smooth, flavorful, and safe hits every time. You can use different methods to deep clean your glass bong, depending on your preference and availability of ingredients and tools. The most common methods are alcohol and salt, vinegar and baking soda, and lemon juice and boiling water. Whatever method you choose, make sure to rinse your bong well and dry it thoroughly before using it again.
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