Ever taken a hit from your bong and wondered why it tasted more like resin than your favorite strain?
If this is relatable to you, it might be time to give your piece a thorough cleaning.
Keeping your bong in top condition enhances the flavor of your smoke and ensures a smoother and more enjoyable overall experience.
In this guide, we’ll explain how to clean your bong effectively and share some tips to make the process quick and hassle-free.
What You Need To Clean Your Bong
- Isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol
- Coarse salt or rice
- Cleaning plugs (optional)
- Cleaning brushes or pipe cleaners
- Rubber or latex gloves
- Plastic bags or containers
Step By Step Instructions For Cleaning Your Bong
Step 1. Disassemble
Start by disassembling your bong before cleaning.
For glass bongs, this often just involves removing the downstem (the bowl where you put your ground flower). Some bongs made of other materials, like stainless steel or silicone, may have other parts that can be removed. Read the manual for details.
Step 2. Rinse
Next up, rinse your bong thoroughly. This goes for bongs of all materials.
Step 3. Soak in Alcohol
Once your glass bong is completely disassembled, soak all the parts in alcohol. This helps loosen up the excess debris.
Most stainless steel bongs can be soaked in alcohol. Silicone bongs should not be soaked in alcohol. Instead, soak a silicone bong in warm, soapy water.
Step 4. Shake and Swirl
Bongs are essentially containers. Shake the alcohol or warm, soapy water around the bong and swirl it. This is an excellent way to shake up the residue.
You can use cleaning plugs to keep the liquid in the bong or cover any openings with your hands while you shake.
Step 6. Scrub
Use salt and a pipe scrubber to clean the bong. Read the care instructions on your stainless steel bong before using salt. Silicone bongs should not use salt.
Step 7. Rinse Again
Re-rinse the bong with water to remove any excess residue.
Step 8. Dry
Set your bong out to dry it out.
Step 9. Reassemble
Reassemble your bong for use.
Step 10. Final Rinse
Rinse the bong again to ensure all the cleaner has been removed. Let it dry again, then get to smoking.
How Often Should You Clean Your Bong?
- Regular maintenance: If you regularly use your bong, it’s a good idea to give it a good clean once a week.
- Visual inspection: Regularly check your bong for resin buildup or residue. If you notice significant residue, it’s time for cleaning.
- Preventive maintenance: It’s a lot more work to clean a bong, but there’s no harm in cleaning a glass bong after each use. You may also want to do a quick rinse after each use and save the deep cleaning for a weekly ritual.
Bonus Tips for Bong Maintenance
Change The Water
Don’t let old water sit in your bong. Empty it with each use.
Make Sure Your Device Dries Properly
Be sure all parts of your bong have entirely dried before reassembling or using it again. Any lingering moisture can affect the taste or integrity of your next session.
Invest In Smoking Accessories
Consider purchasing filter screens or accessories with removable parts to simplify cleaning and reduce direct buildup within the main device.
Maintaining Your Bong For Peak Performance
Caring for your bong is a continual commitment – but it’s worth it!
Show your piece the TLC it deserves, and invest a bit of extra time into upkeep to ensure peak performance.
For additional tips, follow us on social media or check out our pipe-cleaning blog for more details.
