Silicone bongs are becoming more popular among herb and tobacco enthusiasts because of their durability, flexibility, and affordability. Unlike glass bongs, silicone bongs can withstand drops, bends, and twists without breaking or cracking. However, silicone bongs also need regular cleaning to maintain their functionality and appearance. Dirty bongs can harbor bacteria, mold, and unpleasant odors that can ruin your smoking experience.
Fortunately, cleaning a silicone bong is not too difficult or time-consuming. There are different methods you can use to clean a silicone bong, depending on the materials and tools you have available. In this blog post, we will show you how to clean a silicone bong using three easy methods: soap and water, freezer, and alcohol and salt.
Method 1: Soap and Water
This method is the simplest and most convenient way to clean a silicone bong. All you need are some basic household items: a baby bottle brush, your favorite liquid dishwasher soap, and running water. This method works best if you clean your bong soon after use, when the resin is still soft and easy to remove.
Here are the steps to follow:
- Take out the herb slide and put it aside on a secure, safe place. You can clean it separately using the same method or a different one.
- Dump out the used bong water in the sink and let hot water run through the bong for a couple of minutes. Shake the bong to help loosen up the resin.
- Take your liquid soap and pour a generous amount around the inside of the smoke chamber as well as the base.
- Push the bottle brush inside the silicone bong and scrub the bong firmly but not too hard. Make sure to reach inside the deepest part of the bong to clear out the resin. Don’t be afraid to twist and bend your silicone bong as you clean it to ensure that the brush reaches hard-to-reach areas. You can also clean the joint using the same brush. However, do this very carefully. You don’t want to cause a tear on the joint.
- If your bong comes with a silicone downstem, you can use pipe cleaners to scrub the inside thoroughly.
- Rinse off the soap and residue thoroughly with warm water.
- Lay upside down on a dish rack to dry. Make sure there are no other plates beneath the bong in case you weren’t able to get rid of the smell of the resin.
Method 2: Freezer
This method is perfect for those who are too tired at the end of a good session to clean their bong right away. The procedure is pretty simple: you just freeze your bong overnight and then peel off the frozen resin in the morning. This method works because resin becomes brittle when frozen, making it easier to remove from silicone.
Here’s what you need to do:
- Set your fridge on the coldest setting for an hour before popping in the bong.
- Take out the glass slide or downstem and rinse them with warm water. You can clean them separately using another method.
- Rinse the bong thoroughly with warm water to take out any ash and other residue.
- Shake out the water so that it’s wet but not holding in too much water that will solidify into a block of ice. What you need is a good film of water to coat around the inner walls of the bong.
- Place the bong inside a plastic bag or wrap it with plastic wrap to prevent any smells from escaping or entering.
- Put the bong in the freezer overnight or for at least 12 hours.
- Take out the bong from the freezer and unwrap it from the plastic.
- Gently peel off or scrape off the frozen resin from the silicone using your fingers or a plastic tool. Be careful not to damage or puncture the silicone.
- Rinse off any remaining residue with warm water.
- Lay upside down on a dish rack to dry.
Method 3: Alcohol and Salt
This method is similar to how you would clean a glass bong, but with some modifications. You will need some rubbing alcohol (preferably 91% or higher), coarse salt (such as kosher salt or sea salt), ziplock bags, rubber bands, and paper towels. This method works by creating a solvent that dissolves the resin and a scrubbing agent that dislodges the resin from the silicone.
Here are the steps to follow:
- Take out the glass slide or downstem and place them in separate ziplock bags. Pour some alcohol and salt into each bag, enough to cover the glass pieces. Seal the bags and shake them gently. Let them soak for a while.
- Dump out the used bong water in the sink and rinse the bong with warm water.
- Pour some alcohol and salt into the bong, enough to fill about a quarter of the smoke chamber. Cover the mouthpiece and the joint with paper towels and secure them with rubber bands.
- Shake the bong vigorously for a few minutes, making sure that the alcohol and salt mixture reaches all parts of the bong.
- Remove the paper towels and pour out the dirty alcohol and salt mixture into the sink. Rinse the bong with warm water until all traces of alcohol and salt are gone.
- Take out the glass slide and downstem from the ziplock bags and rinse them with warm water as well.
- Lay upside down on a dish rack to dry.
Conclusion
Cleaning a silicone bong is not hard if you know how to do it properly. By using one of these three methods, you can keep your silicone bong clean and fresh for your next smoking session. Remember to clean your bong regularly to avoid buildup of resin, bacteria, and mold that can affect your health and enjoyment. Happy smoking!
