Ultimate Guide To Cleaning Your Bong

If you’ve ever smoked cannabis, then you’re probably familiar with a bong. Generally, bongs are used to enhance the overall sensation of smoking cannabis and they help cool down any smoke that may be inhaled. They come in a variety of shapes, materials, and sizes. They can be made from ceramic, wood, bamboo, clay, and even acrylic. No matter their consistency or their design, bongs all work the same.

Like any other piece of paraphernalia that emits smoke, bongs can become very dirty over time. They can also begin to smell. The inside builds up nasty resin, which is terribly hard to clean. It’s like tar that has settled in and refuses to come out.  It’s important to clean your bong on a regular basis. There are plenty of methods on how to clean a bong without alcohol. You just need to buy the right cleaning supplies so your smoking isn’t ruined by harsh chemicals or products, such as alcohol.

What Happens If Your Bong Is Dirty?

Without cleaning your bong regularly, you’ll notice a difference in the taste and smell of your cannabis.

Although the taste may not be immediate, you’ll gradually notice a decline in your enjoyment. Your taste buds will interact with the chemical reaction from your degenerated weed. The filthy bong water will be filled with slime and resin and the adulterated taste will creep into your smoking, giving your cannabis a whole different flavor. It’ll taste a lot like eating a rotten vegetable. The longer the bong stays dirty, the more unpleasant your experience will be.

Along with an uncleaned bong comes a nasty smell that will permeate your nostrils. Actually, you’ll be able to smell when your bong needs cleaning first. With all the stagnant water that builds up on the wall of your bong comes the ripe stench of swamp water mixed with old, raunchy ashes. This scent can permeate your clothes, your carpets, your furniture, and even remain on your walls. It’s an easy enough thing to avoid, if you clean your bong.

How To Clean Your Bong

So, what’s the easiest method to clean your bong and avoid all these pitfalls? The system is comprised of 9 steps. With the proper tools and cleaning supplies, your bong can be refreshed and back in working order in no time.

1. Empty Out The Dirty Water

Get rid of that old swamp water that you’ve been using for such a long time. That’ll help eliminate the smell too.

2. Take Your Bong Apart

Separate the stem and the bowl from your bong. Take apart any removable sections of your bong. Each item will need a thorough cleaning.

3. Rinse, Rinse, Rinse

Clean all the different pieces with hot running water. This will help disengage any resin that attached itself to the surface of your bong and dissolve any gunk that might have become stuck.

If possible, heat the water to the highest temperature that you can stand. Put on dish-washing gloves to keep your hands protected. The hotter the water, the faster the cleaning process. While your rinsing everything out, make sure to fill up from the top, then empty the water from the slide opening to prevent any residue from getting stuck.

4. Stash Your Pieces

Every loose piece of your bong should be put inside its own container. You can use plastic containers, like Tupperware, or you can use clean Ziploc baggies. The choice is yours, just remember to pack them all separately.

Once the loose pieces are contained, pour in the cleaning solution. Use according to the directions or from your research. There are great bong cleaning solutions on the market that use friendly and sustainable ingredients that don’t include alcohol or salt. These are healthier for you as well.

5. Shake It Up

The next step is to shake every container holding each of those pieces. Shake them well, and shake them hard. This enables the cleaning solution to maneuver its way through all the crevices and cracks to dissolve any resin that’s left. Do this for at least 5 minutes.

Allow them to sit for 10 minutes. Then go back and shake them even more. Once these parts are thoroughly cleaned, put them aside to clean the actual bong itself.

6. Add A Cleaning Solution

If you’re using a special cleaning solution, check the directions for the amount needed. Depending on the size and dimension of the bong, this amount may be different. Also check for any deep cleaning instructions, if that applies.

7. Plug Up Those Holes

With either hand towels or cotton balls, plug up the holes in your bong. Seal them up using rubber bands or plastic wrap. Keep one hand over the mouth of the bong and cover the stem hole with the other hand. Keep the cleaning solution from spilling all over the place. Also, remember to plug up the carburetor hole.

8. Shake Some More

Now it’s time to shake up the bong. Shake it vigorously for at least 5 minutes and get rid of all that residue.

9. Rinse And Dry

Dump the solution from your bong and rinse with hot water. Take out the little pieces from their containers and rinse them too. Get the cleaning solution off everything.

Once all the parts have been rinsed, let them air dry before you use them again. When you’re ready, put the bong back. Now your bong is clean and your experience should be enjoyable once more.

Conclusion

People are smoking more and more cannabis using a bong for a variety of reasons. However, their experiences can vary depending on how clean their bong is. Don’t ruin your enjoyment by letting your bong sit for days, or weeks, or months, or even years without cleaning it. With these simple 9 steps, the job may not be the disgruntled chore you thought it might be.