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 even cause respiratory infections. Fortunately, you don’t need to buy expensive or specialized products to clean your bong. You can use some common household items that you probably already have in your kitchen or bathroom. Here are some easy steps to clean your bong with household items.
What You’ll Need
- A bong
- Warm water
- Coarse salt, rice, or baking soda
- Isopropyl alcohol, vinegar, or dish soap
- Cotton swabs, pipe cleaners, bottle brushes, paper towels, dry cloths, or earbuds
- Lemon juice or white vinegar (optional)
Step 1: Disassemble Your Bong
The first thing you need to do is to take apart your bong as much as possible. Remove all the removable pieces, such as the mouthpiece, the pipe, the bowl, and the downstem. Check for any damage or cracks on your bong and replace any broken parts before using it again. Empty out any old water and herb residue from your bong and rinse it with warm water to get rid of any loose particles.
Step 2: Add an Abrasive and a Cleaner to Your Bong
Next, you need to add something abrasive and something cleaner to your bong base. The abrasive will help scrub away any stubborn stains and residue, while the cleaner will help dissolve and sanitize your bong. You can use coarse salt, rice, or baking soda as an abrasive, and isopropyl alcohol, vinegar, or dish soap as a cleaner. The stronger the alcohol or vinegar, the better.
Pour enough of your chosen abrasive and cleaner into your bong base to fill it about halfway. You can also add some lemon juice or white vinegar for extra shine and freshness. Swirl the mixture around to coat the inside of your bong.
Step 3: Plug the Holes and Shake It Up
Now comes the fun part. You need to plug or block the open holes of your bong with your hands, fingers, thumbs, or some paper towels. This will prevent the cleaning solution from spilling out and making a mess. Then, shake your bong vigorously for about five minutes or until you see the inside getting cleaner. You can also use a bottle brush or a pipe cleaner to reach any hard-to-clean areas.
Step 4: Rinse and Repeat
Once you’re done shaking your bong, empty the cleaning solution into a sink and rinse it thoroughly with warm water and soap. Make sure there’s no trace of salt, alcohol, vinegar, or dish soap left in your bong. Repeat the cleaning process as many times as you need until your bong is sparkling clean.
Step 5: Clean the Other Parts
Don’t forget to clean the other parts of your bong as well. You can use the same cleaning solution that you used for the base, or make a new one if needed. Put the smaller parts like the bowl and the downstem in a ziplock bag or a container with some abrasive and cleaner and shake them well. Then use cotton swabs, earbuds, or pipe cleaners to remove any remaining residue from the holes and crevices.
Step 6: Dry Your Bong
The final step is to dry your bong completely before using it again. You can use paper towels, dry cloths, or air drying to get rid of any moisture from your bong. Moisture can promote mold growth and affect the taste of your smoke. You can also give your bong a final polish with some lemon juice or white vinegar to make it shine.
Congratulations! You Have a Clean Bong!
You’ve just learned how to clean a bong with household items in six easy steps. Now you can enjoy smoking herb or tobacco from a fresh and sanitary bong that will enhance your experience. Remember to clean your bong regularly to prevent buildup of dirt and bacteria. Happy smoking!
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