How to Properly Clean Your Glass Bong
One of the most important aspects of owning a rad piece of glass is keeping it clean and pristine. You’ve most likely dropped a big chunk of change on the perfect water pipe, so you’ll probably want to keep it looking amazing for more than just the very first session. Not only do you want to preserve the aesthetics of your piece, but a clean pipe always produces the purest flavor for each and every session. Cleaning a water pipe can be intimidating at first, so here are a few tips from the experts on how to properly clean your glass.
Cleaning Solutions
To deep clean the really stuck-on gunk on the inside of your pipe, you’re going to need an abrasive cleaning solution. You can try the tried and true water pipe cleaner and bong cleaner like Formula 420 cleaner, or you can use a simple isopropyl alcohol and salt solution if you happen to have those ingredients lying around the house. Use a 2:1 alcohol to salt ratio to create a gritty enough solution to scrape the residue off of the glass. You can let it soak for awhile depending on how much residue is on your glass, or you can get right to swishing. If your pipe has a downstem or other removable parts, make sure to separate those into a small plastic bag with cleaning solution before cleaning the rest of the pipe.
Some of the solution may slosh out during cleaning, so it’s best to clean over a sink or somewhere else that you don’t mind spills. Your glass may get slippery while cleaning as well, so you can put a mat or a soft plastic tub in the sink to prevent breakage if you accidentally drop it. After the residue has loosened, simply rinse your piece with water until all of the cleaning solution has been removed. Then, let it dry completely before your next smoking session.
Cleaning Percolators
If your water pipe includes percolators, getting a cleaning solution to reach every part may be tricky. The best way to clean a percolator bong is to fill the bottom of the water pipe with the cleaning solution, cover the top with your hand or use Res Caps and flip it upside-down so all of the solution drips through, and then shake vigorously again until all of the solution has come through to the top. Lastly, remove the cover and drain. Make sure all parts (most importantly the bowl piece) are rinsed thoroughly before using again, as cleaning solution stuck in the middle of your perc can greatly affect flavor.
For Non-Glass Parts
If your piece includes ceramic or titanium pieces, besides using the cleaning solutions like Formula 710 on these parts, you can also try heating them up to remove the stuck-on resin. As the parts heat up, the resin will liquify and can be gently wiped away. Use caution with hot objects to avoid accidental burns. If your pipe has wooden parts to it, avoid getting the wood wet as it can swell, warp, and split if exposed to too much water. It’s best practice to use pipe cleaners to clean around wooden parts.
What to Avoid
Glass pipes are usually too delicate to stick in the dishwasher for cleaning. Plus, the water may not reach the inside of the pipe very well and the high temperatures may cause the glass to break. If you’re looking for a shortcut to cleaning your glass, you’re not going to find it in with the dishwasher. Also, avoid using alcohols that aren’t isopropyl or acetone. Not all alcohols are the same, and alcoholic beverages are not going to produce the same effects as rubbing alcohol. Lastly, avoid waiting to clean your pipe until you can’t handle the dirtiness any longer. To truly ensure you have the best experience every time, take it from us and clean your pipes after every use!
- SMOKEA Blog