Germs love warm, wet places. So the mouthpiece of your bong is one of their favorite residences. And if you fail on how to clean your glass bong, you could be giving a home to thousands upon thousands of germ colonies.
The first stereotype that comes to mind about marijuana users is a foul smell and bad hygiene. Don't give them any reason to believe that. Cleaning a glass bong is easy to do and well worth the effort.
If you don't know how to clean a bong, you've come to the right place. We'll discuss all the cleaning tricks, so your next toke is germ-free.
WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU DON'T CLEAN YOUR GLASS BONG?
Cleaning your bong isn't just about getting rid of nasty bacteria. Marijuana and tobacco have tar and resin that will accumulate on the glass. This leaves ugly black stains that are hard to remove after multiple sessions.
Further, these stains can make for an unpleasant toke during your next sesh. The stale scent will linger and won't be enjoyable when it gets into your lungs. Believe it or not, this can lead to respiratory issues in the future, too.
Plus, you want your bong to last for a long time. Keeping the glass in good condition keeps you from having to replace it in the future. And your friends won't enjoy being passed glass that looks like it's done prison time.
WHAT MATERIALS DO YOU NEED?
You want to disinfect your bong between each use. You only need cleaning products to do so:
- Isopropyl alcohol solution
- Iodine-free table salt
It goes without saying you should not clean your bong with live herb embers. Alcohol is flammable, and the last thing you want is to burn yourself or worse. So make sure your bong is cool, and you don't clean it near any open flame source.
Be gentle, as this is glass. Fingers wet with alcohol will get slippery. Trust us, the last thing you want to do is spend an hour hunting glass shards in the tile or carpet.
Also, note that salt is abrasive and may degrade the surface of an acrylic bong. You may need to consider alternative cleaning solutions that give a gentle, shake-free clean.
Even in a glass bong, the salt may leave microscopic grooves behind. Your bong may become more difficult to clean over time. Consider using a non-abrasive bong cleaner.
HOW TO CLEAN A BONG
You've got the ingredients and prefer to put your mouth on clean things. Now let's go step by step through how to keep your bong sparkling fresh.
STEP 1: MAKE A SOLUTION
Pour approximately one-half cup of salt into your bong. If you have a fancy bong with percolators, slip in another half cup in that lower opening.
All of this assumes you have the average-length bong, somewhere around 18 inches. For a smaller bong, use less, depending on how much smaller it is. (Of course, size doesn't matter!)
Finally, pour in double the amount of alcohol. Maintain a 2:1 ratio of alcohol to salt, no matter what size your bong is.
STEP 2: CLEAN YOUR BONG
Cleaning a bong is a lot like cleaning a water bottle. You just need to cap any openings and shake them until clean.
Use your hands to cover the lower and upper openings. Your palm should be good for the mouthpiece, and your thumb, in most cases, should close off the stem.
Now shake your bong up and down. Don't shake it too hard or apply too much pressure. Just let the alcohol and salt slosh around inside for as long as necessary.
Shake until all the tar and resin appears to be gone. The salt should take care of this nicely, with the alcohol to de-adhere the residue from the surfaces.
Again, be careful! If you have a glass bong, you do not want it to shatter on the counter or the floor. Go gentle and slow for as long as it takes to remove buildup.
STEP 3: RINSE YOUR BONG
Dump the alcohol and salt mixture into the sink--or, preferably, the toilet. Now rinse your bong with warm water.
Do a thorough job, ensuring all the alcohol and salt are gone. As we mentioned earlier, the flame of your lighter won't get along well with a glass bong covered in alcohol.
If you fail to clean your bong, you may get a blue flash the next time you light up. This is when all that leftover alcohol ignites. This might scare you and make you drop the bong--in other words, not a good idea!
OTHER GLASS BONG CLEANING TIPS TO KEEP IN MIND
Resin and tar-like to collect on the inside of your bong. That means they'll also love to collect on your sink. You should clean your sink of dirty bong water immediately as soon as you clean your bong.
Get some abrasive pads and a cleaner like Comet. Scrub your sink until you've removed all traces of the residue and smell. This is especially true if you wash it at a friend or in-law's home.
Avoid using all-purpose cleaners or cleaners that contain a scent. The harsh chemicals can leave a lingering aroma and may cause you to inhale something you shouldn't. Alcohol is ideal since it is easy to remove and leaves only a minimal smell.
If you have a removable bowl, clean that as well. Store your bong in a dry place where it won't accumulate dust or grime. You don't want your toke to taste like a dusty cabinet!
GET YOUR BONGS FROM GIGGLE GLASS
Now that you know how to clean a bong make it a habit. Sanitize your bong with these methods after every use and rinse it thoroughly. Be aware that dirty bong water may leave residue and a lingering scent.
Giggle Glass makes bongs that will serve for life. Head on over to their website and check out their selection of top-notch pipes and bongs.
