How often should you clean a bong? – Sticky resin builds up on the inner walls, turning your water brown quickly. golddiamondphotography/Getty Images Most experts say you should clean your bong after a few days to a week of use. You must also replace your bong water often, ideally after every smoke session, to avoid mold.
- Any water that sits in a water pipe is at risk of molding.
- You’re literally inhaling through your bong and mold can grow in as quickly as 24 hours,” says Baum.
- If you had mold in your house you’d probably freak out, so why would it be acceptable to inhale it?” In fact, inhaling the bacteria and mold in to lung infections and pneumonia.
What’s more, any resin that accumulates inside the bong can provide an environment for to form, which can play host to harmful bacteria that you certainly don’t want to inhale. The color of your bong water is your best indicator of when to give it a deep clean.
- Isopropyl alcohol: 91% to 99% isopropyl alcohol works best
- Salt such as Morton’s table salt, Epsom salt, rock salt, or Himalayan salt. Salt is coarse enough to scrub away stuck-on resin but soft enough that it won’t scratch the glass.
- A large resealable plastic bag
- Pipe cleaner
- Disposable gloves (optional)
Fill your bong with isopropyl alcohol and salt, shake it up, then let it soak. Lindsey Bartlett This easy and effective method works every time. You can put disposable gloves on before you begin these steps if you want to avoid any sticky residue on your fingers.
- Remove the bowl and stem. The bowl and stem is the part where you place your cannabis. You can pop this piece out, and it makes cleaning the bong much easier. You ideally don’t want to get the bowl wet when you pour the bong water out.
- Pour out the old water. Bong water is sticky and resinous, so it’s not ideal to pour it down the drain if you can avoid it. You can pour it into the trash if you have a properly sealed trash bag or you can pour it into a sealed container to throw away. You can also dispose of your bong water outside — but don’t try to water any plants with it. The same bacteria and mold that can harm you will also harm your plants.
- Place the bong in a zip-top bag. A large gallon-size bag should be large enough and will help contain the mess. If you don’t have a zip-top bag handy, you can do these next steps inside a trash bag or over your sink. Just be careful, because the bong resin may stick to the sides of your sink.
- Add isopropyl alcohol to the inside of the bong, Pour your isopropyl alcohol into the top of the bong. Use about 16 ounces, depending on the size of your bong, or just enough alcohol that the bong is filled about halfway. If you’re using a dedicated bong cleaning isopropyl mixture, pour that into the bong instead. If you don’t want to use isopropyl alcohol, you can also use white vinegar and baking soda — just allow it to soak for longer.
- Add salt to the bong. This salt helps to gently scrub the inside of the bong to remove the resin. The alcohol alone cleans it somewhat well, but the salt removes the build-up from the sides of the bong. Use a healthy amount to ensure the salt can scrub off the resin.
- Close the bag and shake. This part can get messy, so seal the bag in order to shake the alcohol and salt mixture around the inside of the bong. If you have a percolator bong, be sure the mixture enters all the chambers. You may need to tip the bong upside down a few times to permeate all the crevices.
- Let it soak for 30 minutes. Allow the alcohol mixture to sit with the bong for about 30 minutes. This step isn’t always necessary, depending on how dirty you let your bong get, but letting it soak does improve the efficacy of the alcohol in cleaning your glass.
- Remove the bong and dispose of the bag. Here’s why the bag is key: you can simply seal the bag full of dirty bong water and throw it away. This avoids the resin mess in the sink.
- Rinse bong with warm water and soap, It’s best to get all of the alcohol and salt out of the bong before using it — especially because alcohol is flammable. Dish soap and warm water work well to break down any residual oil on the glass.
- Soak the bowl and stem in alcohol to clean them. Use a pipe cleaner to scrub any stuck-on resin out of the stem. Rinse it well with hot water, and let it dry completely before loading it with cannabis to use it.
Contents
- 1 Will soaking a bong in alcohol clean it?
- 2 Can I soak my bong overnight?
- 3 Should I let my bong dry after cleaning?
- 4 Can you get a cold from dirty bong?
- 5 How much alcohol do you need to clean a bong?
- 6 Can I put my bong in the dishwasher?
- 7 Why is 70% alcohol better than 40?
- 8 Can you soak in regular alcohol?
Will soaking a bong in alcohol clean it?
How to Clean a Bong, According to Experts – When it comes to the best ways to clean your bong, Reyna and Navarro maintain that you don’t need fancy solutions. The classic rubbing alcohol and salt mixture is still the best way to keep your piece looking brand-spankin’ new, they say.
“Those are two things people have in their homes already. Let’s keep our community inclusive by using accessible products,” suggests Navarro. To clean your bong, first take out all removable pieces (like the mouthpiece and pipe). Pour 91% or 99% isopropyl alcohol into the bong and add some coarse salt, such as Epsom or rock salt, as an abrasive.
Shake your piece for about five minutes, then rinse with water and soap. Vinegar and rice will also work, but Navarro and Reyna prefer the former method. You can also buy commercial pipe cleaners, but Navarro points out that many “aren’t necessarily the best for the earth.
- I find, for the most part, isopropyl alcohol and rock salt always do the trick.
- I love this method, not just because it works,” she says, “but because it supports the idea of conserving the legacy of cannabis, and continuing what has been working for so long.
- But please keep in mind the conservation of our planet and our waterways.
Don’t be wasteful with water you use to clean.”
Can I soak my bong overnight?
Download Article Download Article Keeping a bong clean is a lot easier and cheaper than you might imagine. If you’re willing to set aside 5-10 minutes, once a month, you can keep your bong sparkling and shiny. While regular cleaning makes your life much easier, even those with the nastiest pieces can get them clean again with simple supplies.
- 1 Separate all the moving pieces from the bong. Proper cleaning usually involves shaking and some scrubbing, which can damage delicate glass parts if you’re not careful. Separate each of the parts – the bong, the slide, and the stem, and set them aside to be cleaned separately.
- You may want to wear latex gloves, as the smell of resin can be hard to remove from your hands.
- 2 Rinse out the pieces in hot water. This will loosen up any of the bigger chunks of resin that may be clogging up your bong. The hotter the water the better, so use tongs to grip the piece if you can’t securely hold the piece.
- Do not use hot water on a cold piece, as this can cause it to shatter. If your piece is cold, for whatever reason, start with lukewarm water and slowly raise the temperature.
- For smaller, routine cleanings, you can just rinse out the bong quickly and move on to further cleaning.
Advertisement
- 3 Knock off any big pieces of resin with cotton swabs or pipe cleaners. If there are any large chunks of tar or resin that you can easily reach, simply knock them off with gentle scrubbing. If a chunk resists, that’s fine. You just want to get rid of the big, easily removed chunks now.
- For smaller pieces with tough, thick stains, like your slide or bowl, it can help to freeze the piece for 30 minutes. This loosens up chunks of resin and makes them easier to knock off. Be sure to dry the bowl before freezing.
- 4 Place the smaller parts in resealable plastic bags. Make sure that they can seal effectively. You’ll use the bag to contain your cleaning fluid while you soak the smaller pieces. Though you can do them at the same time, it is safest to put them each in separate bags.
- You can also use cups and bowls, as long as you can fill them with enough liquid to cover the pieces. However, cleaning may leave an unsavory smell to the cookware, making plastic bags the most convenient option more often than not.
Advertisement
- 1 Fill your plastic bags with isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol. Purchase 90% isopropyl instead of 71% whenever available, though both will work. They can be found in the first aid section of your supermarket or pharmacy. Make sure the pieces are fully submerged in the fluid.
- Professional cleaners like Simple Green and Solution 420.
- Hot water and denture tablets.
- 2 Add roughly 1-2 tablespoon of salt to the bags. The bigger the grains of salt the better. Salt won’t dissolve in the alcohol, and is used as abrasive. As you shake the bag of salt and alcohol, the salt will get into to nooks and crannies your couldn’t reach, scrubbing them off.
- 3 Shake the pieces in the bags, trying to get the salt inside the pieces when possible. Get the salt in the pipe and then use your fingers to close off the openings to the pipe. Then shake up the salt to get rid of as much resin as you can. Shake the bag for 1-2 minutes or until the piece is visibly clean.
- 4 Soak the pipe for several hours and repeat to remove persistent stains. If there are parts that are still stuck on firmly, just add a splash of fresh alcohol and let it sit for a few hours. When you return, shake it up again for a deeper clean.
- You can remove the piece and use a cotton swap to wipe away any stains, which should come off easily, before soaking the piece again.
- Some of the salt has likely dissolved since the other 9% of the isopropyl is water. Add more if you need.
- 5 Rinse out the pieces with hot water. Flush out the alcohol and salt with some hot water. You might want to discard the fluid down the toilet, as it can stink up your sink and pipes if left undisturbed.
- 6 Use water and lemon juice to remove any water stains. Wipe off any excess spots, dipping the end of your tool in some clean alcohol to get rid of any persistent stains. Then, to remove any water marks, soak the pipe for 10-15 minutes in a mixture of warm water and lemon juice. Dry the piece thoroughly when done for a shop-level shine.
Advertisement
- 1 Fill the bong with the roughly one cup of rubbing alcohol. This is for a roughly ft bong, so adjust accordingly if yours is bigger or smaller. Like with the smaller pieces, 91% isopropyl is the best option, but you can use professional cleaning products like Simple Green as well. If you have separate percolators or sections, add an extra 1/3 cup or so to each percolator.
- If you’re eyeballing your measurements, simply add as much alcohol, and in all the same places, as you would add water if you were smoking.
- 2 Add 2-3 tablespoons of large-grain salt. You can use fine-grained table salt, but course salt will work better every time. Again add it to every section of the bong, percolators and all, where you added alcohol.
- Don’t worry if you can’t get the salt everywhere just yet – it will be easier when you start shaking.
- 3 Seal up the openings to the bong with your hands. Use your palms and fingers to seal off the openings to the bong, holding it tightly as well. You can hold down old towels as well to prevent water from seeping out. However, you must have a firm grasp of the bong as well. You’ll need to shake it vigorously to clean it, so you must be able to hold on without dropping it.
- 4 Shake the bong to “scrub” it with the salt. The alcohol will loosen the resin and make it easier to remove. The salt will act as a sponge, wiping away the rest of the resin where you can’t reach it.
- For a deep clean, you may have to rotate and turn the bong in order to get the salt to hard to reach areas.
- 5 Soak the bong in the alcohol or cleaning products if you have difficult or hard to scrub stains. If you haven’t cleaned your bong after months of use, you may need to let it soak. This is often where cleaning solutions like Solution 420 come in handy, as they are meant to mix with water and left for longer periods of time. Soak the bong overnight and, when done, re-clean it with salt and isopropyl alcohol.
- 6 Give the bong a nice shine with some water and lemon juice. Use a cotton swab or pipe cleaner to remove any last little stains. To get rid of any water marks, soak the piece for 10-15 minutes warm water and 1/2 a lemon’s worth of juice, or 1/2 a cup of white vinegar. When done, make sure you dry the piece thoroughly.
Advertisement
Ask a Question 200 characters left Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Submit Advertisement
Clean your piece every few weeks to keep it clean. It is much easier to clean the piece regularly for 5-10 minutes than rarely, when it might take an hour to fully clean.
Advertisement
Residue filled water or fluid can leave marks and stains if spilled.
Advertisement
- Isopropyl Alcohol.
- Salt
- Reusable Plastic Bags
Article Summary X To clean a glass bong, start by separating any moving pieces and rinsing everything in hot water. For any tough chunks of resin, knock them off with a pipe cleaner or cotton swabs. Alternatively, if you want to thoroughly clean your bong, fill 2 plastic bags with rubbing alcohol and 1-2 tablespoons of salt.
Will 70% isopropyl alcohol clean a bong?
Why you should use 70% ISO to disinfect – This type of ISO concentration is best used for disinfecting your bong when sharing with a friend.70% ISO kills germs by dissolving the plasma membrane of their cell walls. What is really interesting about 70% ISO is that it acts as a better disinfectant than its purer 99% counterpart.
Does soaking something in alcohol clean it?
10. Make your kitchen sparkle – Alcohol can kill germs and make surfaces squeaky-clean. Because it evaporates quickly, it can shine up chrome fixtures or stainless-steel appliances without leaving water spots. “Just take care on porous surfaces,” Dr. Beers advises, “as alcohol might damage materials like wood or granite.”
Should I let my bong dry after cleaning?
Steps to Clean Your Bong – Once you’ve gathered your marijuana bong cleaning materials, assess the amount of resin buildup in your bong. Then, follow these 11 steps to clean your sticky bong and make it shine just like new. Step 1: Pour out the tainted bong water from your last weed smoke session.
- Put on latex or dish gloves to avoid bacteria from the sitting bong water getting on your skin.
- As an added bonus, the gloves will help protect your hands from getting too dry with all the washing.
- Do not use this old, dirty bong water to clean the bong.
- This used water may have bong mold or a layer of film on it, depending on how long it’s been sitting there.
It most likely is a breeding ground for all sorts of bacteria. Marijuana users recommend dumping the used bong water in the toilet rather than the sink to avoid spreading bacteria. Step 2: Disassemble the bong pieces carefully. The best way to clean a bong is in separate pieces.
- Step 3: Place the bong mouthpiece, bowl, and pipe in separate containers or plastic-sealed bags.
- Make sure each piece has its own container so there is less chance of anything breaking.
- Step 4: Add the cleaning solution of your choice to each of the separate containers or bags.
Pour a few tablespoons of the abrasive – coarse salt, rice, or baking soda – into each plastic bag or container. Add the base cleaning solution – rubbing alcohol, vinegar, or lemon juice – and fill each container and bag so the bong pieces are submerged with the combined cleaning agents.
- Step 5: Add the cleaning solution to the base of the bong.
- Follow the same process as above, but for the main part of the bong.
- You’ll want to pour the abrasive cleaning agent in and then add the solution of your choice.
- This will not go in a sealed bag or container, but you can soak it in a sink, basin, large container, or tub.
Step 6: Shake each bag or container and the bong separately for at least five minutes. To ensure that the cleaning solution does not escape, make sure all plastic bags or containers are sealed tightly. When you are cleaning the stem of the bong, you’ll want to plug any holes either with your hands, rubber plugs for bongs, or cotton balls before shaking vigorously.
- Put your favorite song on, pretend you are a fancy cocktail-crafting bartender, and shake away.
- Step 7: Rinse with warm water, and assess the bong and all bong parts for residue that has clung to the pieces.
- At this point, the cleaning process may be enough to remove the water stains and any resin buildup on the bong.
If you are satisfied with the cleanliness of your cannabis bong, feel free to skip to step 10. For a deeper clean, continue with step 8. Step 8: If necessary, repeat steps 4 to 6. Otherwise, a spot cleaning can be done with a spiky pipe cleaner, bottle brush, or q-tip to get in all of the bong’s tiny crevices.
- Step 9: Clean the bong with warm water.
- Give your marijuana bong one last good rinse, and you should have gotten all the stains and residue clean, preventing mold growth.
- Step 10: Air dry or towel dry the bong for quick use.
If you aren’t planning on lighting up your bong right away, let it air dry to make sure all the water dries. If you want to hit the bong instantly after cleaning, make sure you properly towel dry all the pieces to ensure that no mold grows.
- Session
- Step 11: Enjoy a marijuana bong session by yourself or with your fellow stoners.
- Now that your bong is clean, enjoy a relaxing high and taste all of the delicious that were being masked by your dirty bong.
We recommend that you clean your bong frequently to avoid a much more time-consuming deep cleaning or worse have to completely repurchase a new cannabis bong. The more often you clean your bong, the less often you have to spot clean, and you’ll be confident that mold won’t grow.
Plus, as you get used to the process, you’ll be able to clean a bong fast and get right back to toking. You don’t need a disgusting bong that becomes an eyesore in your home. There are plenty of easy ways to clean a bong that you will find online, but it is more important to be thorough and detailed when caring for your cannabis supplies.
When you follow these 11 steps to clean your bong, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that it’s clean and ready to use for an enjoyable stoner sesh anytime the mood hits. How often do you clean your bongs? Hit me up on, and let’s spark up a conversation about it1 : How to Clean A Bong in 11 Simple Steps
Can you get a cold from dirty bong?
Can You Get Sick From Dirty Bong Water? – The short answer to this question is yes, you can get sick from dirty bong water. Like almost any wet, dank environment, stagnant water in bongs and water pipes is prone to bacteria and fungus. Have you ever noticed a pink film or black spots show up on a shower or bathtub? That pink stuff is fungus and some of the same types of fungus can grow in your bong.
Fusarium, for example, is one common fungus that typically grows in damp locations, like bathrooms. This same pathogen is also known to destroy a cannabis plant or two. Fusarium is just one of many water-borne fungi that can potentially cause you to feel sick or get an infection if inhaled. Molds tend to develop around percolators and reclaims, which are the most difficult places to clean.
While molds can vary in color and appearance, the most common include pink, green, black, gray, and white molds. If inhaled, mold spores can cause symptoms of:
AllergyHeadacheCoughing, chest painDizzinessFatigueGeneral malaise, feeling sickRed, itchy eyes, blurred visionLung infection (bronchitis, pneumonia)
Of course, there are some variables to consider, such as your climate, the level of junk in the bong water, and the overall strength of your immune system. For example, if you have been under stress than there is a good chance that your immune system is suppressed.
Is it bad to smoke dirty bong water?
Health Risks of Dirty Bong Water – Let’s put it this way: dirty, stagnant water is not necessarily bad. If you’ve ever been to a pond on a sunny day, you may have noticed that plenty of creatures love it. Look at all the bacteria, mold, pond scum, and algae that are thriving in there.
Clearly, they’re having a blast. And look at all the bugs and amphibians that are eating them up. They don’t think it’s gross at all in there. For humans though, unless you’re dying of thirst, pond water is probably the last thing you would want in your body as odds are it will make you sick. Similar to pond water, dirty bong water can be a breeding ground for bacteria, viruses, and more.
Legionella pneumophilia being one of the household culprits of serious illness in stagnant water. “Wait a minute, are you saying dirty bong water is as bad as pond water?” No, but it’s still closer than you should be comfortable with. The next time you leave your bong water out for more than a day, take a look inside the tube.
- You may see a film that’s formed across the surface of the water.
- This is known as a biofilm, and it’s bad news for your body.
- Basically, what you’re looking at is a tiny biodome.
- Except, instead of creating a tiny bubble for a tiny Paulie Shore to cause some tiny trouble, it’s a protective breeding ground for bacteria, viruses, yeasts, and other microorganisms.
Think about it this way, if you take the time to wash your hands in order to keep pathogens away from your mouth, why would you then give them a direct invitation into your lungs? Bacteria like Strep and E. coli – as well as fungi like black mildew – can thrive in dirty bong water.
How much alcohol do you need to clean a bong?
Make the Bong Cleaning Solution – The two main ingredients in your homemade bong cleaner are salt and alcohol. There are some people who even like to use vinegar and even mouthwash. Alcohol is the most popular of these choices, but it is also the most dangerous.
- Alcohol is highly flammable! Putting a flame to a pipe or glass bong (i.e.
- Right after you clean it) is never a good idea! That being said, the best salt to use is Iodine-free table salt.
- Some smokers prefer rock salt which is generally bigger and may not reach all nooks and crannies in most intricate glass pipe or bongs.
Also, having a bunch of rocks shaken around within your glass bong may not end well (Kryptonite’s cleaner is clay-based and has no debris in it like salt or other abrasives). Once you’ve obtained your salt and alcohol, pour about ½ cup of salt through the top opening.
- If you water pipe or glass bong has percolators, you’ll also want to add about ½ cup of salt into the lower opening.
- This assumes an 18 inch water pipe or glass bong.
- If your pipe bigger or smaller than 18 inches, adjust the amounts appropriately.
- To complete the solution, pour in twice as much isopropyl alcohol (ex.
½ cup of salt, use 1 cup of alcohol. Always use a 2:1 ratio of alcohol:salt).
Can I put my bong in the dishwasher?
Can I put my bong in the dishwasher? – If you have a bong made of anything other than glass, don’t put it in the dishwasher. Plastic doesn’t respond well to the heat and pressure of the water jets. Chances are high that your bong will warp and crack. If you have a thick, high-quality glass bong, you probably shouldn’t put it in the dishwasher.
- But you totally can.
- It’s always better to wash your bong by hand to avoid the risk of shattering delicate glass and to assure the bong is thoroughly clean.
- If you have a simple, sturdy glass bong, you can take a few shortcuts.
- Put some bong cleaning solution (which is a real thing you can buy) in your bong with some warm water.
Cover the openings and shake it up. Let the solution sit for a few minutes. Then, turn your bong upside down and put it in the dishwasher. If you have any concerns about the glass, design, or general fragility of the bong, don’t take the risk. It’s better to spend ten minutes thoroughly cleaning it by hand than it is to replace it due to a dishwasher mishap.
What is the easiest bong to wash?
Silicone bongs are the easiest to wash and clean since they are dishwasher-safe. They are also durable, well-priced, customizable and perform well compared to their comrades.
How long to boil a bong to clean it?
How To Clean A Bong With Boiling Water – This is a more risky method because boiling your glass the wrong way could cause it to shatter. There’s a particular way to do this with the least amount of risk and the instructions should be followed exactly.
- Step 1 Place your bong into a stock pot large enough to fit it.
- If possible, put the bong on a canning rack in the pot to keep it from touching the bottom.
- Step 2 Cover the bong with cool/cold water.
- Do not start with hot water.
- Step 3 Turn the burner on and set it to medium low heat.
- You want to heat the water up slowly so the thermal shock doesn’t crack the glass.
Bring the water up to a simmering boil, not a rolling boil.
Step 4 Once it’s simmering, let it stay that way for 25-35 minutes. Step 5
Once that time has passed, very carefully remove the bong from the water and place it aside somewhere safe to cool off. Whatever you do at this point, do NOT rinse your bong with water from your sink at this point. Others say don’t rinse it with cold water, but we’ll say not to rinse it until it’s cooled off completely.
How do you clean a bong that’s been sitting?
Download Article Download Article Nothing ruins the taste of a good smoke like a dirty bong. Fortunately, there are some pretty easy and reliable ways to clean your bong both generally and extensively. To make and keep your bong clean, do a basic cleaning, get those tough areas and stains, and take good care of your bong.
- 1 Gather supplies. Before cleaning your bong, you’ll need to round up some supplies, including: a sink or basin; coarse salt, rice, or baking soda ; rubbing alcohol, vinegar, or another cleaner; clean water; and latex gloves.
- Glass cleaners work great as well. You could use Aqua Glass Works Cleaner or Wellcann Glass Cleaner,
- You can also buy cleaning solutions specifically made for bongs from Headshop. Options include Pink Formula.
- 2 Empty the bong and rinse and fill it with warm water. While wearing your latex gloves, empty out your bong as well as you can. Pour out old bong water and remove any spent herb. Then give it a good rinse with warm water to remove any remaining solid particles. Finally, fill the bong part way with some of the warm water you’re using. Advertisement
- 3 Disassemble your bong. Take it apart so that the individual pieces can be cleaned. Remove all movable parts, including the pipe and mouthpiece. As you take your bong apart, check for any damage such as chips or cracks. You’ll need to replace any damaged pieces before using your bong again.
- 4 Add coarse salt and rubbing alcohol to your bong. Next, you’ll need to add an abrasive and a cleaner into the base of the bong so that they can work together to clean the inside. Coarse salt and isopropyl alcohol typically work best for this, but you can also use vinegar and rice or baking soda. The stronger the rubbing alcohol, the better. Ideally, you would use one over 90%.
- Alternatively, you can use something like Formula 420, in which case skip the salt. Pour it in and proceed as normal.
- 5 Plug the holes and shake it up. Use your hands, fingers, and thumbs to plug or block the open holes of the bong so that your abrasive and cleaner don’t cause a big mess. Shake it for about five minutes to get the best possible result.
- 6 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, but once is usually enough.
Advertisement
- 1 Presoak your bong in warm water and dish soap, If your bong is especially dirty, it might be best to soak it in a sink, basin, or bathtub full of warm water and just a squirt of dish soap. Let your bong soak for about an hour or two before you start the cleaning process.
- Be very conservative with the dish soap. If you use too much, your bong might produce an unpleasant soapy aftertaste the next several times you smoke.
- 2 Soak small pieces in plastic bags, Put all of the small pieces of your bong into resealable bags with about a tablespoon of coarse salt. Fill the resealable bag with enough rubbing alcohol to completely submerge the pieces. Shake the bags for a few seconds and then let the pieces soak for several minutes. Then, rinse them off with clean water.
- 3 Use a cotton swab or pipe cleaner. Use either plastic cotton swabs or pipe cleaners to scrub around the nooks and crannies of your bong, where resin and water stains are harder to reach and remove. Dip them in a little bit of rubbing alcohol before scrubbing.
- 4 Get rid of water stains with lemon juice. To easily remove water stains in your bong, put some warm water and lemon juice in the base and swish it around. Then, rinse your bong out with cold water.
Advertisement
- 1 Use filtered water in your bong. The minerals in tap water and unfiltered spring water can cause water stains to form in your bong. To prevent this, always use filtered water when you smoke. It’s also a good idea to use filtered water when cleaning your bong, or at least rinse it with filtered water after cleaning.
- 2 Change out the water in your bong daily. If you change out your bong water each day, your bong will stay much cleaner. When old water sits in your bong, mold can form. This is pretty gross on its own, but mold also means mold stains, which can make cleaning your bong a more extensive process.
- 3 Clean your bong once a week. This is another way to keep mold from forming and ultimately avoid getting mold stains. Try to do at least a brief cleaning weekly to keep your bong squeaky clean.
- 4 Store your bong in a bong bag or hard case. Since your bong is made of glass, it’s susceptible to cracking and breaking if you aren’t careful. When storing and traveling with your bong, consider keeping it in a protective bag or case to keep anything from happening to it.
Advertisement
Ask a Question 200 characters left Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Submit Advertisement
Also try using baby bottle brushes, nipple brushes, or cotton swabs to get resin out of hard-to-reach places.
Advertisement
- Be careful if you’re cleaning it in a sink. The resin can coat the sink and it can be hard to clean.
- Most cleaners are flammable, so never use them when you’re smoking.
Advertisement
- Latex gloves
- Clean water
- Plastic resealable bags
- Cleaner: Isopropyl alcohol, vinegar, or Formula 420
- Abrasive: coarse salt, uncooked rice, or baking soda
- Dish towel
- Pipe cleaners or plastic q-tips
- Liquid dish soap
- Bowl, basin, or sink large enough to submerge all parts
Article Summary X To clean a bong, start by emptying it and rinsing it out with warm water to remove any solid particles. Once the old bong water and any spent herb is gone, fill the bong part way with some warm water. Next, take your bong apart and add an abrasive, like coarse salt or rice, and a cleaner, like isopropyl alcohol or vinegar, to the base of your bong.
Then, plug the holes and shake it, allowing the abrasive and cleaner to scrub away any grime. After 5 minutes, rinse the bong out and repeat the cleaning process if necessary. To learn how to clean stains on your bong, keep reading! Did this summary help you? Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 2,563,040 times.
If you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission.
Why is 70% alcohol better than 40?
Medically Reviewed by Carmelita Swiner, MD on November 30, 2022 You can buy rubbing alcohol with a concentration of 70% or 99% isopropyl alcohol. Even though you may think the higher concentration is more effective, experts say 70% is actually better for disinfecting. It has more water, which helps it to dissolve more slowly, penetrate cells, and kill bacteria. The disinfecting power of rubbing alcohol drops at concentrations higher than 80%-85%.
Rubbing alcohol works as a natural, less toxic way to get rid of pests on your houseplants. Wipe the insect with a cotton swab dipped in it to stop small outbreaks of mealybugs, aphids, whiteflies, and scale crawlers.
It’s common to feel sick to your stomach or throw up after surgery. It’s a side effect of the medicine that helps you to sleep (anesthesia). Some research studies show that breathing in rubbing alcohol on alcohol pads can help to soothe your stomach after surgery. It may work faster than standard anti-nausea medicines, but the effects are short-term.
For years, doctors and parents sponged rubbing alcohol onto kids’ skin to treat fevers. It does make skin cooler to the touch, but today, science shows that alcohol is dangerous because it can soak into the skin and cause alcohol poisoning, coma, and even death, especially for babies and small children. Instead, bring down your child’s fever with medicine that has acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
Spilled ink on your shirt and don’t have any stain remover? Try rubbing alcohol. The key is to act quickly before the stain dries – older ones are harder to get out. Cover the stain with a pad dampened with rubbing alcohol. Continue to change the pad as it soaks up the ink stain.
You can use rubbing alcohol to clean some surfaces. For a DIY glass and window cleaner, mix 1 pint rubbing alcohol with ½ cup ammonia and ½ teaspoon liquid dish detergent. Add enough water to make a gallon and pour into spray bottles. To get bugs and tree sap off of your car, first wash your car and then dab some rubbing alcohol on leftover spots with a cloth.
To make a cheap cold pack, pour a 1-1 solution of rubbing alcohol (70%) and water into a reusable storage bag, then pop it into the freezer. You can even add blue food coloring to make it look like a store-bought ice pack. It won’t get hard in the freezer. You can use it on minor sprains and strains.
Mix a 1-to-1 solution of rubbing alcohol and white vinegar. Pour a little into each ear, then let it drain out. The mixture helps to restore your ear’s pH levels after an ear infection and dry them out after a long day at the pool.
Never combine bleach with rubbing alcohol. It can release dangerous gases that may damage your lungs. Symptoms of chlorine gas exposure include burning in your eyes, throat, and lungs.
You can mix a 50/50 solution of water and rubbing alcohol to disinfect your hard-surface countertops, like granite and quartz. Hospitals also sometimes use alcohol towelettes to get rid of germs on small surfaces like stethoscopes, scissors, and thermometers.
You can make your own hand sanitizer at home with a few ingredients. Mix ⅔ cup of rubbing alcohol and ⅓ cup of aloe vera gel in a bowl until blended. You can add a few drops of essential oil, in a fragrance you like, to mask the alcohol smell if you want.
You can use rubbing alcohol on some surfaces like marble, limestone, or terrazzo, but not on wood. The chemical will damage a wood finish. And while it’s safe to use in a pinch on coated leather, like in your car, over time, it will damage and discolor the leather. Use special cleaners made for leather and wood instead.
How long should you soak something in alcohol?
Should I disinfect surfaces with alcohol? – You can disinfect hard objects and items in your home using regular rubbing alcohol. Found in stores or online, bottled rubbing alcohol is most commonly made using isopropyl alcohol, a colorless solution that often has a very strong odor.
- Mixtures that contain at least 70% alcohol are best if they can be sourced, and these mixtures can neutralize viruses and other bacteria on a surface if left wet for at least 30 seconds.
- But you shouldn’t consider cleaning your entire home using rubbing alcohol, because these mixtures can be hard to use effectively when covering large surface areas.
Why? Mixtures that contain more alcohol, while stronger, can evaporate off surfaces too quickly to actually neutralize the germs on that surface. While smaller items with non-porous surfaces, like house keys or even the surface of a toilet handle, can often be kept wet for long enough by reapplying rubbing alcohol, it would be much harder to do on a broader surface, let alone the whole house.
The best way to disinfect your entire house would involve using an EPA-approved disinfectant, but if you can’t find these products, bleach might be your best next bet, Per advice from the CDC, an easy way to disinfect non-porous surfaces is to combine 1/3 cup of regular chlorine bleach (sodium hypochlorite) bleach per gallon of water.
For smaller batches, use 4 teaspoons of regular chlorine bleach and 1 quart of water. You’ll need to let the surface remain wet for at least five minutes, letting it air dry, before you rinse down all surfaces with warm water afterwards. Be careful not to splash the bleach solution on your clothes or in your eyes, and use it sparingly on stainless steel sinks and surfaces.
Can you soak in regular alcohol?
1. Bathing – People should avoid adding rubbing alcohol to their bathwater. Prolonged exposure to rubbing alcohol can cause the skin to absorb the alcohol, which can lead to toxicity in both children and adults.
How much rubbing alcohol do I need to clean my bong?
How to Clean a Glass Bong – There are a number of different bong cleaning products on the market but most experts recommend a simple mixture of isopropyl alcohol, Just empty out your bong, remove the bowl, and rinse it out with warm water. Then, add some 90% isopropyl alcohol and some coarse salt inside the bong.
Plug the holes and shake it all up to get that grime loose on the inside. Shake it for about 5 minutes for best results. After, just dump out the mixture and rinse the bong out real well with warm water. If there’s still buildup remaining on the inside of the unit then you may have to repeat the process.
Wondering how to clean a glass bong without alcohol? There are multiple bong cleaning solutions you can use instead that you should be able to find online or at your local head shop or dispensary. You also shouldn’t use alcohol to clean latex, acrylic or silicone bongs since the liquid can strip the material.
Can I clean my bowl with isopropyl alcohol?
Isopropyl Alcohol Solution – Some smokers prefer to clean their glass with isopropyl alcohol, which is often paired with salt. This is a faster option than using vinegar and baking soda, but it is slightly harsher and must be handled with care. You can purchase this type of alcohol from your neighborhood pharmacy or supermarket.
- It should be labeled at least 71% alcohol, though using 91% is ideal for killing germs.
- Eep in mind, the higher the percentage of alcohol, the faster the cleaning process will be.
- Adding iodine-free table salt will help remove any tar or difficult buildup.
- The risk of using alcohol to clean your glass is that it is somewhat dangerous.
It is not ideal to inhale and can be highly flammable when the strength is over 70%. Make sure to thoroughly rinse off the alcohol to prevent inhalation or any fire hazard.
Is acetone better than alcohol to clean bong?
Use Rubbing Alcohol and Salt – Instead of buying expensive bong cleaners (or those loaded with chemicals), consider making your own with rubbing alcohol and salt. The salt and alcohol solution works as an abrasive to the resin and residue, removing debris without risking chips, scratches, or breaks.
Empty and rinse your bong or pipe with warm water to clear out as much debris as you can. Fill the bong or pipe with about as much Isopropyl alcohol as you would water, then add a handful of salt. Cover the openings of the glass to avoid spillage. You can use cotton balls, towels, saran wrap and rubber bands, or even specially designed, Give the alcohol and salt a moment to soak, then shake for about one minute. Hold the glass carefully while you’re shaking so you don’t drop it! Empty the bong and rinse again with warm water.
If you don’t have rubbing alcohol, you can use a warm water and salt solution for a lighter cleaning. Just make the water a bit warmer or add a bit more salt.