If you enjoy smoking herb or tobacco from a bong, you know how important it is to keep it clean and fresh. A dirty bong can ruin the taste of your smoke, harbor mold and bacteria, and even pose a health risk. Fortunately, cleaning a bong is not too difficult, and you can do it with some simple household items: hot water and salt.
In this blog post, we will show you how to clean a bong with hot water and salt in a few easy steps. You will also learn why this method works, how often you should clean your bong, and what to do if your bong has tough stains or residue. Let’s get started!
Why Hot Water and Salt?
Hot water and salt are a great combination for cleaning a bong because they work as a solvent and an abrasive. The hot water helps to loosen up the sticky resin that builds up on the glass over time, while the salt acts as a scrubber that removes the residue without scratching the surface. Together, they can dissolve and dislodge the dirt and grime that make your bong look and smell bad.
Some people also add rubbing alcohol, vinegar, or dish soap to their cleaning solution, but these are not necessary if you use hot water and salt. However, if your bong is very dirty or has hard-to-reach areas, you may want to use one of these additives to boost the cleaning power. Just make sure to rinse your bong well after using them to avoid any unpleasant aftertaste.
How to Clean a Bong with Hot Water and Salt
Cleaning a bong with hot water and salt is a simple process that only takes a few minutes. Here are the steps you need to follow:
- Empty the bong and rinse it with warm water. Pour out the old bong water and any spent herb or tobacco from the bowl and downstem. Give your bong a good rinse with warm water to remove any loose particles. Fill your bong halfway with warm water and set it aside.
- Disassemble your bong. Take apart your bong so that you can clean each piece separately. Remove the bowl and downstem from the base and place them in a ziplock bag or a small container. Check for any damage such as chips or cracks on your bong pieces and replace them if needed.
- Add salt and hot water to your bong. Pour three or more tablespoons of coarse salt into the base of your bong through the mouthpiece. The coarser the salt, the better, as it will act as a more effective abrasive. Then add some hot water (not boiling) until it reaches just below the shaft line. You can also add some rubbing alcohol, vinegar, or dish soap if you want, but they are not essential.
- Plug the holes and shake it up. Use your hands, fingers, or thumbs to plug or block the open holes of your bong, such as the mouthpiece, the carb hole, and the downstem hole. Shake your bong vigorously for about five minutes, making sure that the salt and water mixture reaches every part of the glass. You should see the water turning brown as it dissolves the resin.
- Rinse and repeat. Empty the dirty water from your bong into a sink or a bucket and rinse it thoroughly with clean water. Repeat the cleaning process as many times as necessary until your bong looks sparkling clean. You can also use a pipe cleaner or a cotton swab to reach any stubborn spots or corners.
To clean the bowl and downstem, follow these steps:
- Add salt and hot water to your ziplock bag or container. Pour enough salt to cover the bottom of your bag or container and then add some hot water (not boiling) until it submerges the bowl and downstem. You can also add some rubbing alcohol, vinegar, or dish soap if you want.
- Shake it up. Seal your bag or container tightly and shake it vigorously for about five minutes, making sure that the salt and water mixture reaches every part of the bowl and downstem. You should see the water turning brown as it dissolves the resin.
- Rinse and repeat. Empty the dirty water from your bag or container into a sink or a bucket and rinse the bowl and downstem thoroughly with clean water. Repeat the cleaning process as many times as necessary until they look sparkling clean. You can also use a pipe cleaner or a cotton swab to reach any stubborn spots or corners.
How Often Should You Clean Your Bong?
The frequency of cleaning your bong depends on how often you use it and how dirty it gets. However, as a general rule, you should clean your bong at least once a week to ensure that you get the best possible smoke quality and avoid any health risks. You should also change the water in your bong after every smoke session to prevent mold and bacteria from growing in it.
The color of your bong water is a good indicator of when to clean your bong. If it looks clear or slightly yellow, you are good to go. If it looks brown or black, it is time to give your bong a thorough cleaning. A dirty bong not only looks and smells bad, but it also dilutes the flavor of your herb or tobacco and exposes you to harmful contaminants.
What to Do If Your Bong Has Tough Stains or Residue?
If your bong has tough stains or residue that are hard to remove with hot water and salt, you may need to use some stronger cleaning agents or methods. Here are some tips to help you deal with stubborn dirt and grime:
- Presoak your bong in warm water and dish soap. If your bong is very dirty, you may want to soak it in a sink, basin, or bathtub full of warm water and a squirt of dish soap for an hour or two before you start the cleaning process. This will help to loosen up the resin and make it easier to remove.
- Use boiling water. Another way to loosen up the resin is to run boiling water through your bong before adding the salt and water mixture. Be careful not to burn yourself or crack the glass when doing this. You can also boil the bowl and downstem in a pot of water for a few minutes, but make sure they are fully submerged and not touching the bottom or sides of the pot.
- Use stronger solvents. If hot water and salt are not enough, you can try using stronger solvents such as isopropyl alcohol, vinegar, lemon juice, or specialized bong cleaners. These solvents can dissolve the resin more effectively, but they may also leave a strong odor or taste in your bong. Make sure to rinse your bong well after using them and let it air dry completely before using it again.
- Use stronger abrasives. If salt is not enough, you can try using stronger abrasives such as rice, baking soda, or coarse sand. These abrasives can scrub the residue more effectively, but they may also scratch the glass if used too roughly. Be gentle when shaking your bong with these abrasives and rinse it well after using them.
Conclusion
Cleaning a bong with hot water and salt is an easy and effective way to keep your bong in good shape and enjoy a smooth smoke every time. All you need are some basic household items and a few minutes of your time. By following the steps we outlined above, you can make your bong look and smell like new again.
Remember to clean your bong regularly and change the water often to prevent mold and bacteria from growing in it. Also, check for any damage on your bong pieces and replace them if needed. A clean and well-maintained bong will last longer and provide you with a better smoking experience.
We hope this blog post was helpful and informative. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them below. Happy smoking!
