If you enjoy smoking herb or tobacco from a bong, you know how important it is to keep your device clean and fresh. A dirty bong can ruin the taste of your smoke, harbor bacteria and mold, and even pose health risks. Fortunately, you don’t need to buy expensive or harsh chemicals to clean your bong. You can use a simple and natural ingredient that you probably have in your kitchen: baking soda.
Baking soda is a great cleaner for bongs because it is abrasive, which helps to scrub off the sticky resin and tar that accumulates in the chamber, bowl, and downstem. It is also alkaline, which neutralizes the acidic and smelly bong water. Baking soda is also cheap, eco-friendly, and easy to use. Here are the steps to follow to clean your bong with baking soda.
Step 1: Gather the supplies
To clean your bong with baking soda, you will need the following supplies:
- A sink or basin
- Warm water
- Baking soda
- Vinegar
- A cleaning brush or pipe cleaner
- Microporous tape or rubber bands and plastic wrap
- A sandwich bag
- Latex gloves (optional)
Step 2: Disassemble and rinse your bong
Before you start cleaning your bong, you need to take it apart and rinse it with warm water. Remove the bowl and downstem and place them in a separate sandwich bag. Pour out the old bong water and any leftover herb or tobacco. Rinse the main piece of your bong with warm water and shake it to remove some of the loose buildup. You can also use a cleaning brush to scrape off some of the stubborn residue.
Step 3: Add baking soda and vinegar to your bong
Next, you need to add baking soda and vinegar to your bong to create a fizzy reaction that will help loosen and dissolve the resin and tar. Fill the bong with warm water and add a spoonful of baking soda inside the mouthpiece. Cover the downstem hole with microporous tape or a rubber band and plastic wrap. Shake the bong well to distribute the baking soda inside the chamber.
Then, pour a spoonful of vinegar into the mouthpiece and watch the bubbles form. The vinegar will react with the baking soda and create carbon dioxide gas, which will expand and push out some of the gunk from your bong. Fill up the chamber with more warm water, cover the holes, and shake well again.
Step 4: Add baking soda and vinegar to your bowl and downstem
You also need to clean your bowl and downstem with baking soda and vinegar. Add some warm water, baking soda, and vinegar to the sandwich bag that contains your bowl and downstem. Seal the bag and shake it well. You can also use a pipe cleaner to poke through the holes and remove any clogs.
Step 5: Rinse and dry your bong
The final step is to rinse and dry your bong thoroughly. Pour out the baking soda and vinegar solution from your bong, bowl, and downstem. Rinse them well with warm water until there is no trace of baking soda or vinegar left. Use a cleaning brush or pipe cleaner to remove any remaining residue.
Dry your bong, bowl, and downstem with a clean cloth or paper towel. You can also let them air dry on a rack or towel. Make sure they are completely dry before you reassemble your bong or store it away.
Conclusion
Cleaning your bong with baking soda is an easy and effective way to keep it in good shape. Baking soda helps to remove resin, tar, odor, and stains from your bong without damaging it or leaving any harmful residues. By cleaning your bong regularly with baking soda, you can enjoy smooth and flavorful hits every time.
