How to Clean A Bong? Step by Step Guide

When enjoying the delightful experience of a bong, we often overlook the cleaning of the bong. However, regular cleaning not only ensures that every puff we inhale is pure but also effectively prevents bacteria growth, maintaining the bong's hygiene and performance. 

The correct methods and steps can significantly improve the cleaning effect. This article will detail how to effectively clean the bong, from disassembly to cleaning, and then to reassembly, every step is crucial.

Why is cleaning bong especially critical?

It's all about safety.

When you smoke cannabis out of a bong, the resin from the cannabis will slowly build up over time. This leads to a sticky residue on the sides of the glass. Eventually, the stickiness will render the bong unusable if it gets too built up. It also discolors the water and dilutes the taste of the cannabis you're smoking.

Because the inside of a bong is damp and prone to dirt accumulation, fungus, and mold tend to thrive there. Everything we smoke goes into our bodies. 

Bacteria, mold, fungi, and viruses can grow quickly inside your bong overnight and cause respiratory issues.

Image and health

Cleanliness is not just a habit; it's a sign of respect for others and a way to maintain one's own image.

Especially when you bring out your dirty bongs at social events, or when your crush comes to your home, seeing a dirty bong makes it hard for people to believe that you are a trustworthy person. 

After all, not being clean really does deduct points from your image.

What to use to clean a bong

Before cleaning your bong, gather the following materials:

1. Plastic bag

Use a plastic bag that is spacious enough to fully enclose your bong.

A bag with a zipper seal is a better option to avoid any spills.

2. Salt

Use coarse salt (such as sea salt or rock salt) for better cleaning power.    The rough surface of coarse salt helps to reduce the amount of effort needed to remove leftover residue. However, any type of salt will work as a substitute.

3. 99% isopropyl alcohol

It is recommended to use 99% pure isopropyl alcohol for its strong cleaning power.

Lower concentrations of alcohol may put some bacteria into a dormant state if not used for an extended.

4. Pointed cotton swabs

Cotton swabs are an effective tool to clean every nook and cranny of your smoking bong.

While pointed cotton swabs are more effective, regular cotton swabs will also suffice.

5. Bottle cleaner or pipe cleaner (optional)

These tools can make cleaning easier, but if you don't have them, you can still clean your smoking bong without them.

6. Dish soap

Any standard dish soap can be effective in cleaning your smoking bong. 

7. Household sponge

8. Cleaning gloves

Always use cleaning gloves when cleaning your bong. Gloves protect your hands from irritation when handling cleaning solutions and scrubbing bong components.

Pro Cleaning Tips

Step 1: Disassemble and rinse

Disassemble your bong. Take it apart to clean the parts. 

pour out the existing bong water and rinse it with hot water. 

let the hot water run through the parts and any holes in the bong.

Step 2: Remove all removable parts (such as the mouthpiece)into a separate plastic bag.

Pour about a tablespoon of coarse salt into the bag and add rubbing alcohol until the bowl and downstem are fully submerged.

Step 3: Pour the salt and isopropyl alcohol into the bong through thehole.

Pour coarse salt into the empty bong, fill it halfway with isopropyl alcohol, and let it sit for around 30 minutes.

The isopropyl alcohol acts as a disinfectant to cut through the oils in the residual sticky resin, and the salt acts as an abrasive.

Step 4: Shake the bong vigorously for about five minutes

seal or plug the opening of the bong tightly with the palm of your hand, fingers, and thumb to allow as much of the solution as possible to work its way through the inside of the bong.

Step 5: Let your bong soak completely

After shaking your bong, soak it for about 10 or 15 minutes, then shake it thoroughly for about 30 seconds. Clean the bong with dish soap and sponge.

Step 6: clean the bong with a bottle brush, pipe cleaner, or cotton swab.

Take a bottle brush or pipe cleaners to scrub the inside of the bong.

Use a tool such as a bottle brush or cotton swab to scrub away stubborn residue from bongs and bong chips. 

Step 7: Rinse the bong with hot water

Rinse the bong, downstem, and bowl with hot water.

Before reassembling, thoroughly rinse each part to ensure no alcohol residue remains.

Step 8: Wipe the bong with a clean sponge and detergent

After rinsing the bong, you need to use a sponge and detergent to remove residual grease to protect your health.

THE DO’S AND DONT’S OF BONG CLEANING 

Steer clear of harmful cleaning chemicals; they pose a risk to both your bongs and your well-being. For dealing with stubborn resin buildup, opt for mild yet effective methods that maintain the structural integrity of your smoking device. Keep in mind, that adopting the correct cleaning practices not only prolongs the lifespan of your bong but also enhances the overall smoking experience.

Is there another way to clean a Bong?

Absolutely! If you don't have isopropyl alcohol and salt at home, you can use white vinegar and rice to clean your bong.

With this cleaning method, vinegar replaces isopropyl alcohol and rice replaces salt as the abrasive material.

However, this method is only suitable for lightly contaminated bongs, and vinegar is significantly less effective at removing dirt than topical alcohol,making it much less effective than alcohol and salt.

In any case, you can follow the same steps with white vinegar and rice as you would with isopropyl alcohol and salt, and for particularly dirty bongs, consider adding a few drops of dishwashing liquid to the mixture.