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 glass 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 household items or natural products.
Method 1: Alcohol and Salt
One of the most popular and simple methods to clean a glass bong is to use isopropyl alcohol (also known as rubbing alcohol) and coarse salt. Alcohol dissolves the sticky resin and tar that build up in your bong, while salt acts as an abrasive to scrub away the stubborn bits. You can use any type of salt, but kosher salt or sea salt work best because they have larger grains. You can also use table salt if that’s all you have.
To clean a glass bong with alcohol and salt, follow these steps:
- Separate all the moving pieces from the bong, such as the bowl, the stem and the mouthpiece. Rinse them with hot water to remove any loose debris.
- Fill a resealable plastic bag with enough alcohol to submerge each piece. Add some salt to the bag and seal it. Shake the bag gently to coat the pieces with the mixture. Let them soak for at least 15 minutes, or longer if they are very dirty.
- Fill your bong with enough alcohol to cover the inside surface. Add some salt to the bong and plug the holes with paper towels or cotton balls. Shake the bong vigorously for a few minutes to loosen up the resin and tar.
- Pour out the alcohol/salt mixture from the bong and the plastic bags. Rinse everything with warm water and dish soap until no alcohol or salt remains. Use a pipe cleaner or a bottle brush to reach any hard-to-clean spots.
- Let your bong and its pieces dry completely before using them again.
This method works well for most glass bongs, but you should avoid using alcohol on acrylic or plastic bongs, as it can damage them. You should also avoid using hot water on cold glass, as it can cause it to crack. If your glass bong is cold, start with lukewarm water and gradually increase the temperature.
Method 2: Vinegar and Baking Soda
If you don’t have alcohol at home, or you prefer a more natural alternative, you can use vinegar and baking soda to clean your glass bong. Vinegar is a natural acid that can dissolve resin and tar, while baking soda is a mild base that can neutralize odors and create a fizzy reaction that helps dislodge dirt. You can use any type of vinegar, but white vinegar is usually cheaper and more available.
To clean a glass bong with vinegar and baking soda, follow these steps:
- Separate all the moving pieces from the bong and rinse them with hot water.
- Fill a resealable plastic bag with enough vinegar to submerge each piece. Add some baking soda to the bag and seal it. The mixture will start to bubble, so be careful not to overfill the bag. Shake the bag gently to coat the pieces with the mixture. Let them soak for at least 15 minutes, or longer if they are very dirty.
- Fill your bong with enough vinegar to cover the inside surface. Add some baking soda to the bong and plug the holes with paper towels or cotton balls. The mixture will start to bubble, so be careful not to overfill the bong. Shake the bong gently for a few minutes to loosen up the resin and tar.
- Pour out the vinegar/baking soda mixture from the bong and the plastic bags. Rinse everything with warm water and dish soap until no vinegar or baking soda remains. Use a pipe cleaner or a bottle brush to reach any hard-to-clean spots.
- Let your bong and its pieces dry completely before using them again.
This method works well for most glass bongs, but you should avoid using vinegar on metal parts, as it can cause corrosion. You should also avoid using hot water on cold glass, as it can cause it to crack. If your glass bong is cold, start with lukewarm water and gradually increase the temperature.
Method 3: Lemon Juice and Boiling Water
If you want to clean your glass bong with the most natural and eco-friendly method, you can use lemon juice and boiling water. Lemon juice is a natural citrus acid that can dissolve resin and tar, while boiling water can sanitize and remove odors. You can use any type of lemon juice, but fresh lemon juice is usually more potent and effective.
To clean a glass bong with lemon juice and boiling water, follow these steps:
- Separate all the moving pieces from the bong and rinse them with hot water.
- Squeeze some lemon juice into a saucepan and bring it to a boil. Carefully submerge each piece in the boiling lemon juice and let them simmer for a few minutes. Use tongs to flip them over and make sure they are fully covered.
- Squeeze some lemon juice into your bong and swirl it around to coat the inside surface. Carefully pour boiling water into the bong until it is full. Plug the holes with paper towels or cotton balls and let the bong sit for a few minutes.
- Pour out the lemon juice/water mixture from the bong and the saucepan. Rinse everything with warm water and dish soap until no lemon juice or residue remains. Use a pipe cleaner or a bottle brush to reach any hard-to-clean spots.
- Let your bong and its pieces dry completely before using them again.
This method works well for most glass bongs, but you should be very careful when handling boiling water, as it can cause burns or breakages. You should also avoid using boiling water on cold glass, as it can cause it to crack. If your glass bong is cold, start with lukewarm water and gradually increase the temperature.
Conclusion
Cleaning your glass bong regularly is essential to enjoy a smooth and flavorful smoke. You don’t need to spend a lot of money or time to do it, as you can use some common household items or natural products that are cheap, effective and eco-friendly. Whether you choose alcohol and salt, vinegar and baking soda, or lemon juice and boiling water, you can easily clean your glass bong with these simple methods. Just remember to rinse everything well, dry everything completely, and change the water in your bong after every smoke session.
Happy smoking!
