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 the taste and quality of your smoke, as well as pose health risks from mold and bacteria. Fortunately, 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 with ease.

Method 1: Alcohol and Salt

This is one of the most popular and simple methods to clean a glass bong. All you need is some isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol and coarse salt, such as kosher or sea salt. Alcohol dissolves the tar and resin, while salt acts as an abrasive to scrub away the stubborn stains.

  1. Separate all the moving pieces from the bong, such as the slide and the stem. Rinse them in hot water to loosen up any large chunks of resin. You can also use cotton swabs or pipe cleaners to knock off any easily removed pieces.
  2. Place the smaller parts in resealable plastic bags. Fill the bags with enough alcohol to submerge the parts completely. Add some salt to each bag and seal them securely.
  3. Fill your bong with alcohol and salt as well. Make sure there is enough liquid to cover all the dirty areas.
  4. Plug the holes of your bong with your fingers, rubber stoppers, or plastic wrap. Shake it vigorously for a minute or two, then let it soak for 10-15 minutes.
  5. Shake the bags with the smaller parts as well, then let them soak for the same amount of time.
  6. Pour out the alcohol/salt mixture from your bong and the bags. Rinse everything with warm water and dish soap until no alcohol or salt remains.
  7. Let your bong and its parts dry completely before using them again.

If your bong is very dirty, you may need to repeat this process or let it soak for longer. You can also use a bottle brush or a pipe cleaner to scrub any hard-to-reach spots.

Method 2: Vinegar and Baking Soda

If you don’t have alcohol at home, you can use vinegar and baking soda instead. Vinegar is acidic and can help break down the resin, while baking soda is alkaline and can help neutralize odors and remove stains.

  1. Follow the same steps as method 1 to separate, rinse, and place your bong parts in plastic bags.
  2. Fill your bong with white vinegar until all the dirty areas are covered. Add some baking soda slowly and carefully, as it will fizz up when it reacts with vinegar.
  3. Add vinegar and baking soda to each bag with the smaller parts as well. Seal them tightly.
  4. Plug the holes of your bong and shake it gently for a few seconds, then let it sit for 15-20 minutes.
  5. Shake the bags with the smaller parts too, then let them sit for the same amount of time.
  6. Pour out the vinegar/baking soda mixture from your bong and the bags. Rinse everything with warm water and dish soap until no vinegar or baking soda remains.
  7. Let your bong and its parts dry completely before using them again.

This method may not be as effective as alcohol and salt, but it can still help clean your bong if it’s not too dirty. You can also use a bottle brush or a pipe cleaner to scrub any hard-to-reach spots.

Method 3: Lemon Juice and Boiling Water

If you want to use a natural product that is safe and eco-friendly, you can use lemon juice and boiling water. Lemon juice is acidic and can help dissolve the resin, while boiling water can help loosen up any stuck-on debris.

  1. Follow the same steps as method 1 to separate, rinse, and place your bong parts in plastic bags.
  2. Boil some water in a kettle or a saucepan. Be careful not to burn yourself with the hot water.
  3. Add some lemon juice to your bong until all the dirty areas are covered. You can also add some lemon juice to each bag with the smaller parts.
  4. Pour the boiling water into your bong slowly and carefully, until it is almost full. The water will mix with the lemon juice and create a hot and acidic solution.
  5. Pour some boiling water into each bag with the smaller parts as well. Seal them securely.
  6. Plug the holes of your bong and shake it gently for a few seconds, then let it sit for 15-20 minutes.
  7. Shake the bags with the smaller parts too, then let them sit for the same amount of time.
  8. Pour out the lemon juice/water mixture from your bong and the bags. Rinse everything with warm water and dish soap until no lemon juice or water remains.
  9. Let your bong and its parts dry completely before using them again.

This method is natural and safe, but it may not be as effective as alcohol and salt or vinegar and baking soda. You can also use a bottle brush or a pipe cleaner to scrub any hard-to-reach spots.

Tips and Warnings

  • Change the water in your bong after every smoke session to avoid inhaling mold and bacteria.
  • Deep clean your bong roughly once a week to ensure you get the safest, best tasting smoke.
  • 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 boil your bong or its parts in water, as this can also cause them to crack or break.
  • Do not use bleach, ammonia, or other harsh chemicals to clean your bong, as they can damage the glass and leave harmful residues.

Conclusion

Cleaning your glass bong is easy and cheap if you use some common household items or natural products. You can use alcohol and salt, vinegar and baking soda, or lemon juice and boiling water to dissolve and remove the tar and resin from your bong. By keeping your bong clean, you can enjoy a smoother, tastier, and healthier smoke every time.

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