How to Clean a Glass Bong with Household Items or Natural Products

Posted on by Brian Bernstein

If you enjoy smoking herb or tobacco from a glass bong, you know how important it is to keep it clean and fresh. A dirty bong can ruin your smoking experience, making it harsh, unpleasant and unhealthy. However, you don’t need to buy expensive or harsh chemicals to clean your bong. You can use some common household items or natural products that are cheap, effective and eco-friendly. Here are some methods to clean your glass bong using ingredients you probably have at home.

Method 1: Alcohol and Salt

This is one of the most popular and easy methods to clean a glass bong. Alcohol and salt work together to dissolve and dislodge the tar and resin that build up in your bong over time. You can use any kind of alcohol, but isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) is the best choice because it has a high concentration and evaporates quickly. You can use any kind of salt, but coarse salt is better because it acts as an abrasive and helps scrub away the stubborn stains.

To use this method, follow these steps:

  • Separate all the moving pieces from the bong, such as the slide, the stem and the bowl.
  • Rinse out the pieces in hot water to loosen up any large chunks of tar or resin. Be careful not to use boiling water on a cold piece, as this can cause it to shatter.
  • Knock off any big pieces of tar or resin with cotton swabs or pipe cleaners. If they are hard to remove, you can freeze the piece for 30 minutes to make them easier to knock off.
  • Place the smaller pieces in resealable plastic bags and fill them with enough alcohol to cover them completely. Add some salt to each bag and seal them tightly.
  • Fill the bong with alcohol and salt as well. Plug the holes with paper towels or rubber stoppers.
  • Shake the bags and the bong vigorously for a minute or two. You should see the alcohol turning brown as it dissolves the tar and resin.
  • Let the bags and the bong soak for some time, depending on how dirty they are. You can leave them overnight for best results.
  • Pour out the alcohol/salt mixture and rinse the pieces with warm water and dish soap. Make sure no alcohol or salt are left behind.
  • Let the pieces dry completely before reassembling and using your bong.

Method 2: Vinegar and Baking Soda

This is another natural and effective method to clean a glass bong. Vinegar and baking soda create a fizzy reaction that helps break down and remove the tar and resin from your bong. Vinegar is acidic and baking soda is alkaline, so they balance each other out and leave no residue behind. You can use any kind of vinegar, but white vinegar is preferred because it has no color or smell.

To use this method, follow these steps:

  • Separate all the moving pieces from the bong, such as the slide, the stem and the bowl.
  • Rinse out the pieces in hot water to loosen up any large chunks of tar or resin. Be careful not to use boiling water on a cold piece, as this can cause it to shatter.
  • Knock off any big pieces of tar or resin with cotton swabs or pipe cleaners. If they are hard to remove, you can freeze the piece for 30 minutes to make them easier to knock off.
  • Place the smaller pieces in resealable plastic bags and fill them with enough vinegar to cover them completely. Add some baking soda to each bag and seal them tightly. You should hear some fizzing as the vinegar reacts with the baking soda.
  • Fill the bong with vinegar and baking soda as well. Plug the holes with paper towels or rubber stoppers.
  • Shake the bags and the bong gently for a minute or two. You should see some bubbles forming as the vinegar reacts with the baking soda.
  • Let the bags and the bong soak for some time, depending on how dirty they are. You can leave them overnight for best results.
  • Pour out the vinegar/baking soda mixture and rinse the pieces with warm water and dish soap. Make sure no vinegar or baking soda are left behind.
  • Let the pieces dry completely before reassembling and using your bong.

Method 3: Lemon and Boiling Water

This is another natural and simple method to clean a glass bong. Lemon and boiling water help loosen and remove the tar and resin from your bong with their heat and acidity. Lemon also has a pleasant smell and flavor that can mask the odor of the tar and resin. You can use any kind of lemon, but fresh lemon juice is better than bottled lemon juice because it has more enzymes and antioxidants.

To use this method, follow these steps:

  • Separate all the moving pieces from the bong, such as the slide, the stem and the bowl.
  • Rinse out the pieces in hot water to loosen up any large chunks of tar or resin. Be careful not to use boiling water on a cold piece, as this can cause it to shatter.
  • Knock off any big pieces of tar or resin with cotton swabs or pipe cleaners. If they are hard to remove, you can freeze the piece for 30 minutes to make them easier to knock off.
  • Place the smaller pieces in a saucepan and fill it with enough water to cover them completely. Add some lemon juice to the water and bring it to a boil.
  • Fill the bong with boiling water and lemon juice as well. Plug the holes with paper towels or rubber stoppers.
  • Let the saucepan and the bong simmer for some time, depending on how dirty they are. You can leave them for an hour or more for best results.
  • Pour out the water/lemon juice mixture and rinse the pieces with warm water and dish soap. Make sure no water or lemon juice are left behind.
  • Let the pieces dry completely before reassembling and using your bong.

Tips and Warnings

  • Change the water in your bong after every smoke session to avoid inhaling mold and bacteria.
  • Clean your bong roughly once a week to ensure you get the safest, best tasting smoke.
  • If you don’t have any of the ingredients mentioned above, you can also use denture tablets, hydrogen peroxide, bleach, or commercial bong cleaners. However, these may be more expensive, harsher, or less eco-friendly than the natural methods.
  • Do not use abrasive materials like steel wool or sandpaper to clean your glass bong, as they can scratch or damage it.
  • Do not use hot water on a cold piece, as this can cause it to shatter. If your piece is cold, start with lukewarm water and slowly raise the temperature.
  • Do not use alcohol on acrylic or plastic bongs, as it can damage them. Use vinegar or lemon instead.

References

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