Learning to clean your dirty bong is a must if you want to keep it away from harmful bacteria and keep it in prime condition for years of use. Keeping your favourite piece clean is not just about aesthetics; it also affects the taste of each hit, as well as the overall health of your device. So, how do you clean a bong?

Let’s look at the best bong cleaners on the market and what methods work best to ensure that your piece is always good as new.

When Is It Time to Clean Your Bong?

If you’re noticing your bong isn’t working as well as it used to, having a foul taste when inhaling, or smelling bad, it is likely time for a cleaning. Bacteria and mold can quickly grow inside your bong overnight. If you are not careful, the dirty bong can affect your smoking experience and cause many diseases.

Additionally, if the water is starting to become murky or discoloured and there is a buildup of residue on the sides, it is time for a cleaning. It would help if you made it a habit to replace your bong water after a few smoke sessions, as dirty bong water can cause various lung diseases (Kumar AN, Soo CI, Ng BH, Hassan T, Ban AY, Manap RA, 2017).

With regular use, it can be beneficial to give your regular bong maintenance.

The colour of the bong water tells you when it is time to clean your bong. If the water is black or brownish-green it is your hint to start cleaning your bong.

Best Accessories to Clean Bongs

Cleaning a bong can be tricky, but having the right accessories makes it much more manageable. You should avoid using harsh chemicals to clean a bong from the sticky resin buildup, as it can leave a threatening residue in your bong bowl.

The three best accessories to have on hand for this task are a pipe cleaner, rubbing alcohol, and coarse sea salt. Pipe cleaners are excellent for clearing any stubborn residue stuck in the bong’s crevices.

Rubbing alcohol dissolves resin and other oily substances that can build up over time. It is best to avoid abrasive scrubbers, like steel wool, which can damage your acrylic bong. Finally, coarse rock salt works like sandpaper to scrub off tough spots and make your bong sparkle like new again.

PIPE CLEANERS

Unlike glass bongs, latex bongs need special care in the cleaning process. Therefore, using only warm water, a pipe cleaner, or a bottle brush to properly clean your bong is best. You can also use lemon water for a deep clean when using pipe cleaners. Soak the bong in lemon juice and hot water and give it a good rinse with fresh water after a few minutes. Doing this will help you eliminate all the resin buildup in your bong.

Rubbing Alcohol

Rubbing alcohol and salt mixture is the most recommended substance for cleaning a bong. It works to dissolve grime and build-up without leaving any residue behind. When selecting this alcohol, it is best to use a high-proof or high-percentage version – generally at least 90% concentration. Avoid using isopropyl alcohol, as this can erode certain materials. For best results, use pure ethanol or Everclear, specifically formulated for cleaning glassware. You can also use white vinegar and baking soda; you need to keep it longer.

Epson Salt

Epsom salts can be a great addition to your cleaning toolkit for bongs. The granular texture of this salt helps to scrub away residue and hardened build-up without damaging the interior or exterior of your bong. To use Epsom salt, add a few tablespoons to warm water and let soak for 1-2 hours before rinsing with warm water. If necessary, use a pipe cleaner or soft cloth to remove any deposits on the surface.

What Are the Best Cleaning Products for bongs?

Dr Green

Dr green is one of the best bong cleaners, which can help you clean your bong and eliminate any resin build-up on it. If the bong has too much grime, use the product with hot water and a large straw brush.

Helping Friendly bong water

One of the best cleaning solutions for water pipes, which does not require much cleaning and gets rid of the grime build-up with every cleaning session. The product is a better alternative for clean water.

orange chronic bong cleaner

A natural bong cleaner, which is excellent for cleaning your dirty bong. The product consists of isopropyl alcohol and will get your glass bong in a tip top shape. The orange chronic cleaner is easy to use and does not require rinsing much.

Q Tip

These cotton swabs will help you clean your bong effectively and is best for cleaning hard-to-reach places. It will quickly soak up all the residue and clean your bong quickly. Dip these in cleaning solutions or dish soap and start the bong cleaning process.

ResRemover Cleaner

Using this bong cleaning product is extremely easy. Simply fill a bag with hot water, add your dirty smoking accessories, and soak overnight. This water-based product leaves no smell or taste and you can joyfully enjoy your smoke.

Mile high cleaner

A product for heavy use, this cleaner can be used for anything from surfaces to dry pipes. They are an accessory which ensures no cleaning liquid comes out while cleaning the bong in the cleaning process.

Formula 420 Universal Cleaning Caps

The soft caps and plugs are reusable and give you a mess-free cleaning session.

What Is the cleaning process of a bong?

To clean a bong:

• Start by taking out all the removable pieces like pipe, mouthpiece, and other small pieces.
• Pour out the old water in a safe place. Ensure not to water your plants with it as the same bacteria that can harm you can also harm your plants.
• Fill the bowl with isopropyl alcohol and add some coarse salt.
• Shake the bong and let it stay for about five minutes.
• Use a pipe cleaner to scrub the remove dirt.
• Rinse the bong with water and let it air dry.

Whether you use concentrated aqueous cleaner, dish soap, or any other natural product to clean your bong bowl and pipe, cleaning your bong is almost the same.

How to keep your bong clean?

While enjoying smoke from your weed, the last thing you want to consider is the several hours you have wasted cleaning. Therefore, it is best to maintain your bong. Below are some tips that will help you maintain your bong.

Use filtered water

If you live in an area where hard water is common, it is best to use filtered water in your bong.

Discard the dirty water

Do not let the dirty bong water sit in your bong, and clean the bong after each use. Make sure to change the water after every use.

Salt is your friend

While cleaning, use coarse salt as it acts as an abrasive to help remove stuck-on dirt.

Avoid sunlight

Avoid keeping your bong in direct sunlight for long periods. When not in use, keep the bong in a dry safe place.

Conclusion

Keeping your favourite bong clean isn’t just about aesthetics—it also affects taste and performance! Cleaning your bong is essential for the smoking experience and your health.

Whether you prefer using natural ingredients like sea salt or opt for specialized cleaners explicitly designed for this purpose, regular cleaning is key to ensuring that every hit from your favourite piece tastes excellent from now on!

With these tips in hand, you should be able to get started on keeping your bongs as good as new without any trouble at all!

Reference

Kumar AN, Soo CI, Ng BH, Hassan T, Ban AY, Manap RA. Marijuana “bong” pseudomonas lung infection: a detrimental recreational experience. Respirol Case Rep. 2017 Dec 22;6(2):e00293. doi: 10.1002/rcr2.293. PMID: 29321937; PMCID: PMC5756717.