A bong is a popular device for smoking herbs or tobacco, using water to cool and filter the smoke. Bongs come in different shapes, sizes, and materials, but they all have one thing in common: they need to be cleaned regularly. Cleaning your bong not only improves the taste and quality of your smoke, but also prevents the growth of harmful bacteria, fungi, and mold that can cause health problems. In this blog post, we will explain why you should clean your bong, how often you should do it, and what are the best methods and products to use.
Why you should clean your bong
There are many reasons why you should clean your bong on a regular basis, such as:
- Preventing infections: Stagnant bong water can harbor various microorganisms that can cause respiratory infections, throat irritation, coughing, and even pneumonia. Some of these pathogens include E. coli, Strep, black mildew, and yeast. You can tell if your bong water is contaminated by looking for a slimy layer on the surface, known as biofilm. If you see it, change the water immediately and disinfect your bong.
- Improving flavor: Dirty bong water can also affect the taste of your smoke, making it harsher and less enjoyable. Resin buildup can also clog the airflow and reduce the efficiency of your bong. By cleaning your bong regularly, you can ensure a smoother and more flavorful experience.
- Removing toxins: One of the benefits of using a bong is that it filters out some of the harmful substances from the smoke, such as tar and ash. However, these substances can accumulate in the bong water and the glass over time, creating a toxic sludge that can leach back into your smoke. By changing the water frequently and cleaning the glass thoroughly, you can avoid inhaling these toxins.
- Extending lifespan: Cleaning your bong also helps to preserve its quality and durability. Dirty bongs can develop cracks, leaks, or rust that can damage them beyond repair. By keeping your bong clean and dry, you can prevent these issues and enjoy your bong for longer.
How often should you clean your bong
The frequency of cleaning your bong depends on several factors, such as how often you use it, what type of herb or tobacco you smoke, what type of water you use, and how dirty it gets. However, as a general rule of thumb, you should follow these guidelines:
- Change the water after every session: This is the most basic and important step to keep your bong clean and safe. Changing the water after every use prevents bacteria and mold from growing in it, as well as removes any leftover ash or debris from the smoke. You should also rinse the glass with warm water to remove any residue.
- Clean the glass once a week: Even if you change the water regularly, some resin and tar will still stick to the glass over time, creating a sticky and smelly film that can affect the performance and appearance of your bong. To remove this film, you should clean the glass with a solvent and an abrasive at least once a week.
- Deep clean once a month: If you want to keep your bong in pristine condition, you should also give it a deep cleaning once a month or more often if needed. This involves soaking the glass in a cleaning solution for several hours or overnight to dissolve any stubborn stains or deposits.
How to clean your bong
Cleaning your bong is not a difficult task if you have the right tools and products. Here are some of the most common methods and products to clean your bong:
The alcohol and salt method
This is one of the most popular and effective methods to clean a glass bong. It involves using isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) as a solvent and coarse salt (such as Epsom or rock salt) as an abrasive to scrub away resin and tar from the glass. Here are the steps to follow:
- Disassemble your bong and remove any removable parts, such as the bowl and the downstem. Check for any damage or cracks and replace any broken pieces.
- Rinse your bong and the parts with warm water to remove any loose debris.
- Fill a large zipper bag with alcohol and salt and place the bowl and the downstem inside. Seal the bag and shake it gently to coat the parts with the mixture.
- Pour some alcohol and salt into the base of the bong. Use enough to cover the bottom and the sides of the glass. You can also use rubber stoppers or bong plugs to seal the openings of the bong.
- Shake your bong vigorously for about five minutes, or until you see the resin and tar coming off the glass. You can also use a pipe cleaner or a brush to reach any hard-to-clean areas.
- Empty the alcohol and salt mixture into a sink and rinse your bong and the parts with warm water. Repeat the process if needed until the glass is completely clean.
- Dry your bong and the parts with a towel or let them air dry before reassembling and using your bong.
The vinegar and baking soda method
This is another natural and effective method to clean a glass bong. It involves using vinegar as a solvent and baking soda as an abrasive to remove resin and tar from the glass. Here are the steps to follow:
- Disassemble your bong and remove any removable parts, such as the bowl and the downstem. Check for any damage or cracks and replace any broken pieces.
- Rinse your bong and the parts with warm water to remove any loose debris.
- Fill a large zipper bag with vinegar and baking soda and place the bowl and the downstem inside. Seal the bag and shake it gently to coat the parts with the mixture.
- Pour some vinegar into the base of the bong. Use enough to cover the bottom and the sides of the glass. You can also use rubber stoppers or bong plugs to seal the openings of the bong.
- Add some baking soda into the bong. You will see a fizzing reaction as the vinegar and baking soda combine. This will help loosen and dissolve resin and tar from the glass.
- Shake your bong gently for about five minutes, or until you see the resin and tar coming off the glass. You can also use a pipe cleaner or a brush to reach any hard-to-clean areas.
- Empty the vinegar and baking soda mixture into a sink and rinse your bong and the parts with warm water. Repeat the process if needed until the glass is completely clean.
- Dry your bong and the parts with a towel or let them air dry before reassembling and using your bong.
The commercial cleaning products method
If you don’t want to use household products, you can also buy commercial cleaning products that are specially designed for cleaning bongs. These products usually contain powerful solvents that can dissolve resin and tar quickly and easily. Some of these products include:
- Formula 420: This is one of the most popular cleaning products for bongs. It claims to clean your bong in one minute without scrubbing or soaking. It contains alcohol, salt, acetone, non-ionic surfactants, fragrance, dye, D-limonene, sodium hydroxide, sodium metasilicate, sodium hypochlorite, sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, sodium sulfate, sodium chloride, water.
- Aqua Glass Works Cleaner: This is another cleaning product for bongs that claims to be eco-friendly, biodegradable, non-toxic, non-flammable, non-corrosive, non-abrasive, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-viral, anti-microbial, anti-odor. It contains water, citric acid, sodium citrate, sodium lauryl sulfate.
- Wellcann Glass Cleaner: This is another cleaning product for bongs that claims to be natural, organic, vegan, cruelty-free, gluten-free, GMO-free, paraben-free, sulfate-free, phthalate-free. It contains water, organic alcohol (ethanol), organic glycerin (vegetable), organic acetic acid (vinegar), organic citrus limon (lemon) peel oil.
To use these products, follow these steps:
- Disassemble your bong and remove any removable parts, such as the bowl and the downstem. Check for any damage or cracks and replace any broken
