A bong is a device that allows you to smoke herb or tobacco through water filtration, which cools and smooths the smoke. However, over time, the bong can get dirty and clogged with resin, which affects the taste, smell, and quality of the smoke. Moreover, dirty bong water can harbor mold and bacteria, which can pose health risks if inhaled.
Therefore, it is important to clean your bong regularly to maintain its functionality and hygiene. There are different methods to clean a water bong, but one of the simplest and most effective ones involves using 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.
What You Need
To clean your bong with hot water and salt, you will need the following items:
- A dirty bong
- Hot water
- Salt (coarse salt works better)
- A large ziplock bag or a container
- Isopropyl alcohol (91% to 99% works best)
- Paper towels or cotton swabs
- A pipe cleaner or a brush
Step 1: Empty and Rinse the Bong
The first step is to empty the bong and rinse it out well with warm water. This will help to remove any loose debris and dirt from the inside of the bong. You should also take apart the bong as much as possible, such as removing the bowl, the downstem, and the mouthpiece. Rinse these parts separately with warm water as well.
Step 2: Fill the Bong with Hot Water and Salt
The next step is to fill the bong halfway with hot water. The water should be hot but not boiling, as boiling water can damage some glass bongs. Then, add three or more tablespoons of salt into the bong via the mouthpiece. The salt will act as an abrasive that will help to scrub off the resin from the walls of the bong.
Step 3: Shake the Bong Vigorously
Now comes the fun part: shaking the bong vigorously. You should cover the openings of the bong with your hands or some plastic wrap to prevent any spills. Then, shake the bong for several minutes, making sure that the salt and water mixture reaches every corner of the bong. You should see the water turning brown as it dissolves the resin.
Step 4: Repeat with Isopropyl Alcohol
After shaking the bong with hot water and salt, you should empty it and rinse it again with warm water. Then, repeat the same process with isopropyl alcohol instead of water. Isopropyl alcohol is a solvent that will help to dissolve any remaining resin that the salt could not remove. You should also add some more salt to increase the abrasiveness.
Step 5: Clean the Bowl and Downstem
While you are shaking the bong with isopropyl alcohol and salt, you should also clean the bowl and downstem separately. To do this, place them in a large ziplock bag or a container and fill it with enough isopropyl alcohol to submerge them. Then, add some hot water and salt to the bag or container and shake it well.
You can also use a pipe cleaner or a brush to scrub off any stubborn resin from the bowl and downstem. Alternatively, you can soak them overnight in isopropyl alcohol for a deeper clean.
Step 6: Rinse Everything Thoroughly
The final step is to rinse everything thoroughly with warm water until there is no trace of salt or alcohol left. You should also use paper towels or cotton swabs to dry off any excess moisture from the bong and its parts. This will prevent any mold or bacteria growth in your bong.
Congratulations! You Have Successfully Cleaned Your Bong!
You have just learned how to clean a bong with hot water and salt in six easy steps. This method is simple, cheap, and effective for removing resin and dirt from your bong. By cleaning your bong regularly, you will enjoy better tasting smoke, cleaner hits, and longer lasting bongs.
If you want to learn more about bongs and how to use them, you can check out these resources:
- How to Use a Bong | 420 Science
- How to Choose the Right Bong | Vessel Brand
- Best Bongs of 2021 – WayofLeaf
Happy smoking!
