If there is anything that unites all the bong lovers, it’s would be hating to think about cleaning them. Most of them don’t realise that cleaning a bong, especially a glass bong, wouldn’t take more than 20 mins from their life. So, whenever you are contemplating how to clean a glass bong, you just have to follow a few daily rituals so you don’t end up having any respiratory problems.

First of all, to make this question more serious, let’s talk about why do you even need to clean your bong. Is it unhealthy? Can we die from an unclean bong? All the never-ending thoughts and queries will be answered below.

Why Do You Need to Clean Your Glass Bong?

Before you start to look for ways regarding how to clean a glass bong, it is better if you would understand the need for it. An easier example to make you digest this fact would be car parts. Just as it is necessary to go for the servicing of the car, bong also needs a similar kind of maintenance. 

Just like many other rookie tokers out there, I too wondered about the need, ways, and how to clean a glass bong. But after proper research, I concluded that if we are going to do this, we are going to do this right. 

Whenever you take a hit from your precious bong, the resin from the weed gets stuck on the stem. If you let that thing stick in there for more time, it will start to mould. Now think that by not cleaning your bong, it would be the mould that you’re inhaling. In fact, if you don’t start looking up to remedy it, soon the bong water will discolour and your rips will become distasteful.  

Will it make me sick?

Duh! First of all standing water in itself is very dangerous. All the dengue, gastrointestinal infections, and tetanus stems from these. Secondly, we are talking about mould. They love to infest in damp, moist places. Your bong is actually the best place for it. 

Also just for spreading the general knowledge around, not all mould look green in colour. They can also be in grey, pink, black, brown, white colours. So beware!

How Often Should You Clean a Glass Bong?

You must be thinking that we cannot clean our bong after every hit. So how often do we have to clean a glass bong? This question ranges from expert to expert but my personal recommendation would be once every week. In case, if you’re using it too much, then the frequency of cleaning the bong should be quicker.

The best way of knowing when you need to clean them would be the colour of the water. It is the best indicator along with the foul smell. If the water is black or dark looking, then the time is here. The clean colour of the usual bong water is brownish/greenish. So, look for that.

Also, throwing a heath tip out there, if you’re sharing a bong, please clean it. For God’s Sake! it’s been almost two years since the COVID-19 outbreak. You shouldn’t be doing that now.

| Also Read: Stündenglass Glass Gravity Bong/Hookah - Worth it or not?| 

Things that You Would Need to Clean a Glass Bong

 

Don’t look so worried. You don’t need too many things for cleaning a bong. Most of them, you would find at your home, the other things you could easily buy at any store. So, nothing expensive and fancy. There are a few different ways of doing these so get ready.

For those who are looking for ways of how to clean a glass bong with vinegar and how to clean a glass bong without alcohol, below are the things that you would need.

  1. White Vinegar or Lemon
  2. Baking Soda
  3. Cotton Balls
  4. Hand Towel
  5. Q-Tips
  6. Small Plastic Packets
  7. Bottle Brush
  8. Pipe Cleaners
  9. Straw Cleaning Brush

For those who possess alcohol and are looking for supplies regarding how to clean a glass bong, then gather these:

  1. Isopropyl Alcohol: 91% to 99%
  2. Table/Himalayan/Pink/Epsom Salt
  3. Ziplock or Gallon-sized Plastic Bag
  4. Dish soap
  5. Disposable Gloves

| Also Read: Marley Natural Smoked Glass Water Pipe Review|

How to Clean a Glass Bong?

As mentioned before, there are many ways (how) you can clean a glass bong. From alcohol, lemon, vinegar, water to even an oven, there are 101 ways you can clean ‘em. But we are going to look at the easiest ways of doing so. Let’s get on with the vinegar first.

How to Clean a Glass Bong With Vinegar?

To clean a bong with vinegar, you would also need baking soda. Gather your supplies and line them up for easy access.

Note: This isn't for those bongs that haven't been clean since forever. Baking soda and vinegar are not as aggressive as alcohol. 

As it would be quite messy, you can do this is on a bench or in the kitchen. Place your dirty glass bong, pour half a cup of baking soda into the chamber, through the percolator, or whichever way you prefer. Lastly, pour white vinegar and cover all the remaining holes. Shake it hard and look at the vinegar colour. 

|Also Read: How to Use a Percolator Bong - The Complete Guide|

For deep cleaning, disassemble the bong and take the small plastic bag. Put the separated bowl and pipe in the bag and add a little bit of vinegar and baking soda. Seal and leave it for about half an hour

How to Clean a Glass Bong Without Alcohol?

If you don’t have alcohol, or even baking soda and vinegar, get on with this lemon method. Similar to the above type, lemon is also not for the dirtiest bongs out there. So, instead of using it for cleaning, use lemon as a daily preventive wash. Lemon makes it difficult for the resin to stick on the glass surface. So, around 10 drops of lemon would do your bong good. 

How to Clean a Glass Bong With Alcohol?

Here comes the most effective and easiest way of cleaning a bong. Kick-off the process by wearing disposable gloves so that you don’t get any yucky stuff on your hand. Remove and disassemble the bowl from the stem of the bong. 

Pour about two and a half cups of Isopropyl Alcohol. Remember the quantity of the alcohol will be dependant on the size of your bong. The bigger it is the larger quantity of alcohol would be used. After leaving it for over 30 minutes, carefully take out the parts and rinse them in warm water. 

The taking out part is quite challenging. Don’t spill it all over! You would never hear the end of it if your mom gets to know about it. Also while rinsing, use the dishwasher as well. It will neutralise the flammable aspect of alcohol. Use the pipe cleaner in case there is any stubborn resin sticking on the stem. 

You’re done. That’s it! 

I told you. It’s that easy. Now you don’t have any excuses for not cleaning your bong. For more informative write-ups, keep looking at this space. And remember, once a wise man said smoke the marijuana and get high. Stay above the wicked and fly. You remember who that was? It’s Snoop Dog, ya dummy.

Happy Holidays and keep toking with Olivastu.