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 expose you to harmful bacteria and mold. 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 of the best methods to clean a glass bong with items 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 of alcohol and evaporates quickly. You can use any kind of salt, but coarse salt is better because it acts as an abrasive and scrubs the inside of your bong.
To use this method, follow these steps:
- Separate all the moving parts from the bong, such as the slide, the bowl and the stem.
- 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.
- Place the smaller parts in resealable plastic bags and fill them with enough alcohol to submerge them completely.
- Fill your bong with alcohol and add some salt. The amount of salt depends on the size of your bong, but a few tablespoons should be enough.
- Plug the holes of your bong with paper towels, cotton balls or rubber stoppers.
- Shake your bong vigorously for a minute or two, then let it soak for at least 15 minutes. You can also shake the plastic bags with the smaller parts.
- Pour out the alcohol/salt mixture and rinse everything with warm water and dish soap. You can use a bottle brush, a pipe cleaner or a cotton swab to reach any hard-to-clean spots.
- Let your bong and its parts dry completely before using them again.
This method is very effective for removing most of the dirt from your bong, but if you have some stubborn stains, you may need to repeat it or try another method.
Method 2: Vinegar and Baking Soda
This is another natural and safe method to clean a glass bong. Vinegar and baking soda create a fizzy reaction that helps loosen and remove the tar and resin from your bong. Vinegar is acidic and baking soda is alkaline, so they balance each other out and don’t leave any residue or smell on your bong. You can use any kind of vinegar, but white vinegar is the cheapest and most widely available option. You can also add some lemon juice to enhance the cleaning power and add a fresh scent.
To use this method, follow these steps:
- Separate all the moving parts from the bong, such as the slide, the bowl and the stem.
- 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.
- Place the smaller parts in resealable plastic bags and fill them with enough vinegar to submerge them completely. You can also add some lemon juice if you want.
- Fill your bong with vinegar and add some baking soda. The amount of baking soda depends on the size of your bong, but a few teaspoons should be enough.
- Plug the holes of your bong with paper towels, cotton balls or rubber stoppers.
- Watch as the vinegar and baking soda create bubbles that lift up the dirt from your bong. Let it sit for at least 15 minutes.
- Pour out the vinegar/baking soda mixture and rinse everything with warm water and dish soap. You can use a bottle brush, a pipe cleaner or a cotton swab to reach any hard-to-clean spots.
- Let your bong and its parts dry completely before using them again.
This method is gentle and safe for your bong, but it may not be as effective as the alcohol and salt method for removing heavy stains. You may need to repeat it or try another method if your bong is very dirty.
Method 3: Boiling Water and Lemon Juice
This is another simple and natural method to clean a glass bong. Boiling water and lemon juice help dissolve and remove the tar and resin from your bong with heat and acidity. Boiling water also kills any bacteria or mold that may be growing in your bong. Lemon juice adds a fresh scent and helps prevent mineral deposits from forming on your bong. You can use any kind of lemon juice, but fresh lemon juice is the best choice because it has more enzymes and antioxidants that help clean your bong.
To use this method, follow these steps:
- Separate all the moving parts from the bong, such as the slide, the bowl and the stem.
- 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.
- Place the smaller parts in a saucepan and fill it with enough water to cover them completely. You can also add some lemon juice if you want.
- Bring the water to a boil and let it simmer for at least 15 minutes. You can use a spoon or a fork to stir the pieces occasionally.
- Fill your bong with boiling water and add some lemon juice. The amount of lemon juice depends on the size of your bong, but a few tablespoons should be enough.
- Plug the holes of your bong with paper towels, cotton balls or rubber stoppers.
- Let your bong sit for at least 15 minutes, then pour out the water and rinse everything with warm water and dish soap. You can use a bottle brush, a pipe cleaner or a cotton swab to reach any hard-to-clean spots.
- Let your bong and its parts dry completely before using them again.
This method is very effective for killing germs and removing most of the dirt from your bong, but it may not be suitable for some types of glass that can crack under high temperatures. You should also be careful not to burn yourself with the boiling water or steam. If you are unsure about the quality of your glass, you may want to try another method.
Conclusion
Cleaning a glass bong is not a difficult task if you have some household items or natural products at hand. You can use alcohol and salt, vinegar and baking soda, or boiling water and lemon juice to clean your bong without spending much money or time. These methods are safe, effective and eco-friendly, and they will make your bong look shiny and new. By cleaning your bong regularly, you will enjoy a better smoking experience and avoid health risks associated with dirty bongs.
References
The following sources were used to write this blog post: