If you enjoy smoking herb or tobacco from a bong, you probably know how important it is to keep it clean and fresh. A dirty bong can ruin the taste of your smoke, harbor harmful bacteria and fungi, and damage your health. But how often should you clean your bong, and what are the best ways to do it? In this blog post, we will answer these questions and give you some tips on how to properly clean any type of bong.
Why You Need to Clean Your Bong Regularly
There are several reasons why you should clean your bong regularly, such as:
- Improving the flavor and quality of your smoke. A clean bong will deliver a smoother, cooler, and more enjoyable smoke than a dirty one. The water in the bong filters out some of the tar, ash, and other impurities from the smoke, but if the water is dirty or stale, it will also affect the flavor and quality of your smoke. You don’t want to inhale old bong water or resin buildup, which can make your smoke harsh, bitter, and unpleasant.
- Preventing the growth of bacteria and fungi. The water in the bong can become a breeding ground for microorganisms, especially if you don’t change it frequently enough. These microorganisms can form a layer of biofilm on the surface of the water, which can contain harmful pathogens such as E. coli, Strep, or black mildew. When you inhale from a dirty bong, you risk exposing yourself to these pathogens, which can cause infections, illnesses, or allergies.
- Protecting your health and lungs. Smoking from a dirty bong can also expose you to potentially carcinogenic substances that the water has filtered out from the smoke. These substances can accumulate in the bong over time and increase your risk of developing respiratory problems or cancer. By cleaning your bong regularly, you can reduce your exposure to these substances and protect your health and lungs.
As a general rule of thumb, you should change the water in your bong after every smoking session, or at least once a day if you smoke frequently. This will prevent the water from becoming stagnant and contaminated with microorganisms or toxins. You should also deep clean your bong at least once a week, or more often if you notice any signs of dirtiness or odor.
How to Clean Your Bong Properly
Cleaning your bong properly is not difficult, but it does require some materials and time. Depending on the type of bong you have (glass, ceramic, metal, plastic, etc.), you may need different cleaning methods and products. However, one of the most common and effective ways to clean any type of bong is to use isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) and coarse salt as an abrasive. Here are the steps to follow:
- Gather your materials. You will need: a sink or basin; isopropyl alcohol (preferably 91% or 99%); coarse salt (such as Epsom or rock salt); two large zipper storage bags; rubber stoppers or bong plugs; a towel; and optionally some dish soap.
- Disassemble your bong. Take apart your bong and remove any removable pieces, such as the bowl, the downstem, the mouthpiece, etc. Check for any damage or cracks on your bong and replace any broken parts before using it again.
- Rinse and fill your bong with warm water. Empty out any old water or herb from your bong and give it a good rinse with warm water to remove any loose particles. Then fill it up with some warm water again.
- Add isopropyl alcohol and coarse salt to your bong. Pour some isopropyl alcohol into your bong until it covers most of the inside surface. Then add some coarse salt to act as an abrasive that will help scrub away the resin buildup. You can also use vinegar and rice or baking soda instead of alcohol and salt if you prefer.
- Plug the holes and shake it up. Use rubber stoppers or bong plugs to seal the openings of your bong so that the cleaning solution doesn’t spill out. Then shake it vigorously for about five minutes to let the alcohol and salt work their magic.
- Rinse and repeat. Pour out the dirty cleaning solution into the sink and rinse your bong thoroughly with clean water. Repeat the cleaning process as many times as needed until your bong is sparkling clean and odor-free.
- Clean the removable pieces. Place the removable pieces (such as the bowl, the downstem, etc.) into a zipper storage bag and fill it with some isopropyl alcohol and coarse salt. Seal the bag and shake it for a few minutes, then rinse the pieces with water. You can also use a pipe cleaner or a small brush to reach any hard-to-clean areas.
- Dry your bong. Use a towel to dry your bong and its parts, or let them air dry completely before reassembling and using your bong again.
That’s it! You have successfully cleaned your bong and made it ready for your next smoking session. Enjoy!
Sources
This blog post was written based on the following sources:
