The Best and Easiest Way to Clean a Bong

Move keeping your bong clean to the top of your to-do list. A clean bong isn’t just about looking good—it’s about enhancing your experience and ensuring your favorite weed bong delivers a smooth hit every time. Let’s explore how to clean a bong and how to clean a glass bong without alcohol. 

Why Clean Your Bong Regularly?

Let’s face it: nobody enjoys taking a hit and instantly being overwhelmed by stale, bitter cannabis. Over time, residue can build up in your bong. This is from resin and gunk build up, affecting taste, smell, airflow, and your overall experience. Keeping your bong clean enhances your cannabis or concentrate experience. After all, you’ve invested in quality products—why compromise their full flavor potential with a dirty piece?

Step-By-Step: How to Clean a Glass Bong

1. Gather The Goods

No fancy contraptions are needed here; you likely have most of these at home already:

• Hot water

• Liquid dish soap
• Course Sea Salt
• Baking soda
• Vinegar
• Zip-top bags or small containers for smaller parts
• Paper towels or microfiber cloths
• Pipe cleaners, cotton swabs (yes, Q-tips work), soft toothbrush 

2. Take Your Bong Apart

Start by carefully taking your bong apart. Remove the bowl, downstem, and any other detachable parts. This makes it easier to get into all the crevices and ensures a more thorough clean.

3. Rinse It Out

Use hot water to rinse your bong and parts thoroughly. This step loosens up stubborn resin and makes the actual cleaning process a breeze. Pro tip: Hold it under the faucet at different angles to reach all those hidden spots.

4. Select Your Cleaner

For Glass Bongs

• Salt and Baking Soda Method
  Combine coarse salt and baking soda. This duo works as a gentle but effective abrasive to scrub away stubborn residue. Pour a generous amount into your bong. Baking soda may be a great alternative for not only cleaning your bong but also as a replacement for other household cleaning products. 
• Vinegar Magic
  Add white vinegar to the mix. The acidity helps dissolve buildup and neutralizes odors.

For Silicone Bongs

Silicone is resilient but not invincible. Avoid harsh chemicals like alcohol, as they may degrade the material over time. Instead, use warm soapy water and a dash of baking soda for a gentle yet thorough clean.

5. Shake It Up

Cover the openings of your bong (you can use your hands, stoppers, or plastic wrap) and give it a vigorous shake. The combination of salt, baking soda, and vinegar will break down grime without the need for endless scrubbing.

6. Clean Everything

For the bowl, downstem, and other detachable pieces, soak them in a zip-top bag with warm water, a pinch of salt, and a splash of vinegar. Use pipe cleaners or cotton swabs to get into those tight spots.

7. Rinse & Inspect

Rinse everything with warm water to remove any leftover cleaning solution. Hold each part up to the light to check for lingering residue. If you spot any, repeat the process for those areas.

8. Dry and Reassemble

Use paper towels or a microfiber cloth to dry your bong and parts thoroughly. Letting your bong air-dry can also work, but be sure it’s completely dry before reassembling to avoid any funky odors from moisture.

Maintaining Your Bong for Simplified Cleaning

• Empty and Rinse After Each Use
  It sounds tedious, but a quick rinse right after your session prevents buildup from becoming a nightmare later.

• Use Fresh Water Every Time
  Stale water is a breeding ground for gunk and a fast track to a smelly bong.
• Deep Clean Weekly
  Even with regular rinsing, a weekly deep clean keeps your bong in tip-top shape. 
• Invest in Cleaning Brushes
  A small brush designed for glassware or a soft-bristle toothbrush works wonders for those hard-to-reach spots. Just be sure to set the toothbrush aside and store it separately to avoid any mix-ups!

How to Clean a Silicone Bong

Silicone bongs are flexible, colorful, and nearly indestructible. Cleaning them is a breeze:

1. Fill the bong with warm water and a bit of dish soap.
2. Add baking soda and coarse salt for extra scrubbing power.
3. Shake it up, rinse, and repeat as needed.
4. For stubborn stains, you can freeze the bong and simply peel off the residue once it hardens.

Storing Your Clean Bong

In addition to safely and securely storing your cannabis and cannabis products you want to also safely and securely store your bong. It is important to not only prevent your glass piece from breaking, but you also want to ensure that your bong is kept out of reach of children and pets. Now that your bong is sparkling clean, let’s keep it that way:

• Find a Safe Spot
  Store your bong in a cushioned case, on a dedicated shelf, or in a cabinet away from clumsy hands, and curious children and pets.

• Keep It Upright
  Always store your bong upright to prevent accidental spills and stress on the neck of the bong.
• Avoid Direct Sunlight
  Prolonged exposure to sunlight may weaken some materials, or fade colors or graphics over time.

Bonus: What About Glass Pipes?

Cleaning a glass pipe? The process is nearly identical. Use salt, baking soda, and vinegar to break down resin, and pipe cleaners for those intricate curves. For silicone pipes, the same warm soapy water method works wonders.

Now, go, clean that bong! 
If you’re searching for the perfect cannabis strain to pair with your freshly cleaned bong, contact Doobie. Doobie delivers cannabis and cannabis products directly to your door. For more information on cannabis flower contact the Doobie Concierge at (888) 8Doobie or visit trydoobie.com.

Photo by RDNE Stock project