Some herb-lovers let their bongs build up a visible black coating before they consider cleaning them, but that’s not the best practice. There are several compelling reasons to keep your bong clean, such as:
- Reducing microbes
- Limiting carcinogens
- Improving flavor
- Eliminating odors
- Keeping your bong beautiful
No matter how much you change the water, you’ll still end up with sticky, black resin after a while. The idea of cleaning a bong can be intimidating, and new bong users often baffle at the logistics.
Keeping your bong clean will be a breeze if you follow some simple procedures. Let’s check out three easy ways to clean your bong.
1. Basic Cleaning: Alcohol and Salt
The most common way to clean a bong is the alcohol and salt method. It’s a simple technique that uses materials you probably already have around the house.
Things you will need:
- 90% isopropyl alcohol
- Salt
- 2 Plastic bags
- Plastic wrap
- Rubber bands
Procedure:
- Remove the stem and bowl from your bong. Place them in separate plastic bags. Add a few tablespoons of salt and enough alcohol to cover them. Give each bag a few good shakes, and set them aside.
- Empty the water from your bong.
- Place 200-400 grams of salt into the bong openings. Adjust the amount of salt according to the size of your bong. Add around one cup of isopropyl alcohol.
- Cover the top opening of your bong with plastic wrap, and secure it with a rubber band. Repeat with the stem opening.
- Shake your bong to distribute the salt and dislodge resin from the inside of the glass.
- Rinse your bong thoroughly with warm water. Rinse the downstem and bowl.
- Gently dry your bong, downstem, and bowl with a soft towel or let them air dry.
- You might need to repeat the process if you started with an especially dirty bong.
2. Remove Stains: Lemon juice
Lemon juice works great for removing stubborn water stains from your bong. The only materials you need are bottled lemon juice concentrate and water or white vinegar.
Procedure: First, clean your bong with the alcohol and salt procedure explained above. Mix several tablespoons of lemon juice with two cups of water or vinegar. Fill your bong with enough lemon-water mixture to cover the stain. Let the bong sit for at least an hour before rinsing it with water.
3. Eliminate Odors: Baking Soda
A smelly bong can destroy the delicate flavors of your herb. You can’t beat baking soda for eliminating odors.
Procedure: Fill the base of your bong with water, and add several tablespoons of baking soda. Let your bong sit for several hours or overnight, swishing the mixture occasionally. Afterward, pour out the baking soda mixture, and rinse your bong thoroughly.
Hopefully, we’ve taken some of the mystery out of bong cleaning. Use these three do-it-yourself methods, and you’ll never ruin your smoking session with a dirty bong again.
