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 your smoking experience, making it harsh, unpleasant, and unhealthy. Not to mention, it can also make your bong look unsightly and smell bad.
Fortunately, cleaning a glass bong is not a difficult task. All you need are some household items and a little bit of time. In this guide, we will show you how to clean a glass bong using different methods and ingredients, as well as some tips on how to maintain your bong in good condition.
Why You Need to Clean Your Glass Bong
There are several reasons why you should clean your glass bong regularly. Here are some of the main ones:
- Better flavor. A clean bong will allow you to enjoy the true taste and aroma of your herb or tobacco, without any interference from the old tar or resin that accumulates in the bong over time.
- Smoother hits. A clean bong will also provide smoother and cooler hits, as the water will filter out more of the toxins and irritants from the smoke. A dirty bong, on the other hand, will make the smoke harsher and hotter, which can irritate your throat and lungs.
- Healthier smoking. A clean bong will also reduce the risk of inhaling mold, bacteria, or other harmful microorganisms that can grow in the stagnant water or the sticky residue inside the bong. These can cause infections, allergies, or other health problems.
- Nicer appearance. A clean bong will also look more appealing and inviting, as it will shine and sparkle with clarity. A dirty bong, on the other hand, will look dull and murky, with brown or black stains and spots.
How Often You Should Clean Your Glass Bong
The frequency of cleaning your glass bong depends on how often you use it and how dirty it gets. However, as a general rule of thumb, you should follow these guidelines:
- Change the water after every smoke session. This will prevent the water from becoming stale and contaminated with tar, resin, or microbes. It will also improve the flavor and smoothness of your hits.
- Deep clean your bong roughly once a week. This will remove any stubborn buildup of tar or resin that may clog the airflow or affect the taste of your smoke. It will also keep your bong looking shiny and new.
How to Clean a Glass Bong with Alcohol and Salt
One of the most popular and effective methods of cleaning a glass bong is to use isopropyl alcohol (also known as rubbing alcohol) and coarse salt. These ingredients work together to dissolve and scrub away the tar or resin from the glass surface. Here are the steps to follow:
- Detach the smaller parts and rinse them with hot water. Separate any removable pieces from the bong, such as the bowl, the slide, and the stem. Run each of them under hot water for 1-2 minutes to loosen any debris or residue. You can also use a cotton swab to scrub away any large chunks of tar or resin.
- Place the parts in a plastic bag with isopropyl alcohol and salt. Gently put the bowl, slide, stem, and any other small parts into a resealable plastic bag or a food storage container. Then, add enough 91% isopropyl alcohol to cover the parts, and spoon in 1-2 tablespoons (17-34 grams) of coarse salt. The alcohol will help break down the tar or resin, while the salt will act as an abrasive to scrub it away.
- Shake the pieces in the bag gently, then let them soak for 4-5 hours. Carefully shake the bag for 2-3 minutes, distributing the salt into the nooks and crannies of the small parts. Be gentle to avoid damaging the glass pieces. Then, set the bag aside and let the parts soak for 4-5 hours to let the alcohol work its way into the gunk.
- Rinse the parts with warm water and dish soap. After the soaking time, pour out the alcohol and salt mixture and rinse the parts with warm water and dish soap. You can also use a pipe cleaner or a bottle brush to scrub any remaining tar or resin from the inside of the parts. Make sure to rinse them well to remove any traces of alcohol or soap.
- Fill the bong halfway with isopropyl alcohol and salt, then shake it over the sink. Next, pour some isopropyl alcohol and salt into the bong, filling it about halfway. Plug the holes with your fingers or some paper towels, and shake the bong vigorously over the sink for 4-5 minutes. The alcohol and salt will do the same job as they did for the small parts, dissolving and scrubbing away the tar or resin from the inside of the bong.
- Scrub the inside of the bong with a bong brush or a sponge, then rinse it out with hot water and dish soap. After shaking the bong, pour out the alcohol and salt mixture and use a bong brush or a sponge to scrub the inside of the bong. Pay special attention to any hard-to-reach areas, such as the corners or curves. Then, rinse the bong with hot water and dish soap, making sure to remove any residue or bubbles.
- Let the parts and the bong air dry for about an hour. Finally, let the parts and the bong air dry on a towel or a rack for about an hour, or until they don’t smell like alcohol anymore. You can also wipe them with a clean cloth to speed up the process. Once they are dry, reassemble your bong and enjoy a fresh and clean smoke session.
How to Clean a Glass Bong with Lemon and Boiling Water
Another common method of cleaning a glass bong without alcohol is to use lemon juice and boiling water. These ingredients are natural and eco-friendly, and they can also help deodorize your bong. The lemon juice will act as an acid to break down the tar or resin, while the boiling water will help loosen it up. Here are the steps to follow:
- Detach the smaller parts and rinse them with hot water. As before, separate any removable pieces from the bong, such as the bowl, the slide, and the stem. Run each of them under hot water for 1-2 minutes to loosen any debris or residue. You can also use a cotton swab to scrub away any large chunks of tar or resin.
- Place the parts in a saucepan with lemon juice and water, then bring it to a boil. Gently put the bowl, slide, stem, and any other small parts into a large saucepan. Then, add enough water to cover them, and squeeze in some lemon juice. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat, then lower the heat and let it simmer for 15-20 minutes. The lemon juice and water will help dissolve and loosen the tar or resin from the glass pieces.
- Rinse the parts with warm water and dish soap. After simmering, carefully remove the parts from the saucepan using tongs or a slotted spoon. Rinse them with warm water and dish soap, using a pipe cleaner or a bottle brush to scrub any remaining tar or resin from the inside of the parts. Make sure to rinse them well to remove any traces of lemon juice or soap.
- Pour some lemon juice into the bong, then fill it with boiling water. Next, pour some lemon juice into the bong, filling it about one-fourth of the way. Then, carefully fill it with boiling water from a kettle or another saucepan, filling it about three-fourths of the way. Plug the holes with your fingers or some paper towels, and swirl the bong gently for 2-3 minutes. The lemon juice and boiling water will do
