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If you enjoy smoking herb or tobacco from a bong, you know how important it is to keep it clean and fresh. A dirty bong can ruin the taste of your smoke, harbor bacteria and mold, and look unsightly. 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 away the sticky resin and tar that build up in the chamber, bowl and downstem. It is also alkaline, which helps to neutralize the acidic smoke and water that can corrode your glass. Baking soda is also cheap, eco-friendly and easy to use.
In this blog post, we will show you how to clean a bong with baking soda in a few simple steps. You will need:
- A dirty bong
- Baking soda
- Warm water
- A kettle or pot
- A plastic bag or container
- A long cleaning brush or pipe cleaner
- Some paper towels or cloth
Step 1: Disassemble your bong
The first thing you need to do is to take apart your bong so that you can clean each piece separately. Remove the bowl and downstem from the main chamber and place them in a plastic bag or container. If your bong has any other removable parts, such as a percolator or an ice catcher, take them out as well.
As you disassemble your bong, check for any damage such as chips or cracks. You will need to replace any broken pieces before using your bong again.
Step 2: Pre-rinse your bong
Before you use baking soda, you need to rinse your bong with warm water to remove any loose dirt and debris. Pour out the old bong water and any spent herb from the chamber and the bowl. Then rinse them with warm water from the faucet or a kettle. Swirl the water around the chamber and shake the bowl and downstem to dislodge any particles.
Empty the water and repeat until the water runs clear. You can also use a long cleaning brush or pipe cleaner to scrub the inside of the chamber, bowl and downstem if they are very dirty.
Step 3: Add baking soda and hot water
Now it’s time to use baking soda to clean your bong. Add a spoonful of baking soda into the chamber of your bong. You can also add some baking soda into the plastic bag or container with your bowl and downstem.
Then add some hot water into the chamber and the bag or container. The water should be hot but not boiling, as boiling water can crack your glass. The baking soda will react with the hot water and create bubbles that will help to lift off the resin and tar.
Pour enough water to fill the chamber halfway and cover the bowl and downstem completely. You can also add some vinegar to boost the cleaning power of baking soda, but be careful as this will create more foam.
Step 4: Shake it up
The next step is to shake your bong and your bag or container vigorously to distribute the baking soda and water mixture evenly. Cover the holes of your bong with your hands, fingers or thumbs so that the solution doesn’t spill out. Shake it for about five minutes or until you see the water turn brownish.
You can also use a long cleaning brush or pipe cleaner to scrub the inside of the chamber, bowl and downstem while shaking them. This will help to loosen up any stubborn stains and residue.
Step 5: Wait
After shaking your bong and your bag or container, let them sit for an hour or two or overnight, depending on how dirty they are. This will allow the baking soda and water solution to soak into the resin and tar and dissolve them further.
Step 6: Rinse and dry
The final step is to rinse your bong and your bowl and downstem with warm water until all the baking soda and dirt are washed away. You can also use a long cleaning brush or pipe cleaner to remove any remaining residue. Make sure to rinse them thoroughly so that there is no baking soda left in your bong.
Then dry your bong and your bowl and downstem with some paper towels or cloth. You can also let them air dry on a rack or a towel. Once they are completely dry, reassemble your bong and enjoy a clean and smooth smoke.
Conclusion
Cleaning your bong with baking soda is a simple and effective way to keep it in good shape. Baking soda is a natural and cheap cleaner that can remove resin and tar from your glass without damaging it. By following these steps, you can clean your bong with baking soda in no time and enjoy a fresh and tasty smoke.
Do you have any other tips or tricks for cleaning your bong with baking soda? Let us know in the comments below!
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