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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 harmful bacteria and mold, and damage your health. Fortunately, you don’t need to buy expensive or specialized products to clean your bong. You can use some common household items that you probably already have in your kitchen or bathroom. Here are some easy and effective ways to clean your bong with household items.
What You’ll Need
To clean your bong, you’ll need the following items:
- A sink or basin
- Warm water
- A cleaning agent (such as rubbing alcohol, vinegar, dish soap, or bleach)
- An abrasive (such as coarse salt, rice, or baking soda)
- Cotton swabs, pipe cleaners, bottle brushes, paper towels, dry cloths, or earbuds
- Latex gloves (optional)
How to Clean Your Bong
The exact steps may vary depending on the type and shape of your bong, but the general process is as follows:
- Empty the bong and rinse it with warm water. Pour out the old water and any spent herb or tobacco from the bong. Then give it a good rinse with warm water to remove any remaining solid particles. You may need to use a pipe cleaner or a bottle brush to reach some areas.
- Disassemble your bong. Take apart any removable parts, such as the mouthpiece, the bowl, the downstem, and the percolator. Check for any damage, such as chips or cracks, and replace any broken pieces before using your bong again.
- Add an abrasive and a cleaning agent to your bong. Next, you’ll need to add something that can scrub the inside of your bong and something that can dissolve the resin and tar. Coarse salt and rubbing alcohol are a popular combination for this purpose, but you can also use vinegar and rice or baking soda. The stronger the rubbing alcohol or vinegar, the better. Ideally, you would use one over 90%. Fill the bong part way with your chosen mixture.
- Plug the holes and shake it up. Use your hands, fingers, thumbs, or some plastic wrap to plug or block the open holes of the bong so that your abrasive and cleaner don’t spill out. Shake it vigorously for about five minutes to get the best possible result. You should see the water turning brown as the dirt comes off.
- Rinse and repeat. Empty the cleaning solution into a sink and rinse it out completely with clean water. Repeat the cleaning process as many times as you need to until the water runs clear and there is no visible residue left.
- Clean the other parts of your bong. Use the same abrasive and cleaning agent to clean the other parts of your bong that you removed earlier. You can soak them in a ziplock bag or a container filled with the mixture for a few minutes, then scrub them with cotton swabs, pipe cleaners, bottle brushes, paper towels, dry cloths, or earbuds.
- Rinse everything again and let it dry. Rinse all the parts of your bong thoroughly with clean water and soap to remove any traces of the cleaning agent. Then let them air dry on a towel or a rack before reassembling your bong.
How to Polish Your Bong
If you want to give your bong a nice shine and get rid of any water marks or stains, you can use some water and lemon juice or white vinegar. Soak your bong for 10-15 minutes in warm water mixed with half a lemon’s worth of juice or half a cup of vinegar. Then wipe it down with a dry cloth or paper towel.
How to Clean Different Types of Bongs
The above method works well for most glass bongs, but if you have a different type of material, such as latex, plastic, or acrylic, you may need to take some extra care. Avoid using alcohol or bleach on these materials as they can break down and strip them over time. Use only hot water and dish soap instead. Fill the bong with hot water and rinse it out over the sink. Then use a pipe cleaner or a large straw brush to scrub the inside. Rinse again and let it dry.
How to Maintain Your Bong
The best way to keep your bong clean is to prevent it from getting too dirty in the first place. Here are some tips to maintain your bong and extend the time between cleaning sessions:
- Change the water after every use. This will prevent the water from becoming stagnant and breeding bacteria and mold.
- Empty the bowl and ashtray after every use. This will prevent the ash from clogging the pipe and the bowl.
- Store your bong in a cool and dry place. This will prevent moisture from accumulating and causing rust or corrosion.
- Clean your bong regularly. Depending on how often you use your bong, you may need to clean it every few days, every week, or every month. Don’t wait until it becomes too dirty or smelly to clean it.
Conclusion
Cleaning your bong is not a difficult or expensive task. You can use some common household items to get your bong sparkling clean and fresh in no time. A clean bong will enhance your smoking experience and protect your health. So don’t neglect your bong and treat it with care. Happy smoking!
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