How to Clean a Pipe, Bong or Dab Rig: Glass, Wood and Silicone

How you clean a pipe, bong or dab rig depends on what it's made of: glass gets isopropyl alcohol and coarse salt (or vinegar and baking soda if you'd rather skip alcohol), wood gets warm water and a mild cleaner like vinegar, and silicone just needs the gunk scraped out and a warm rinse. Left dirty, any piece builds up tar and resin that wreck the flavor and quality of your hits. Below you'll find the method for each material plus a few tips to keep your gear in top shape.

Why you should keep your smoking gear clean

1. Looks: A clean glass bong or water pipe looks way better and is a lot nicer to use.

2. Flavor: Cleaning your pieces regularly improves the taste of every hit, so you actually get the terpene flavors of your weed.

3. Experience: A clean bong or pipe delivers smooth, thick hits for a more enjoyable session.

How often should you clean your pieces?

It depends on how much you use them. The general recommendation is to clean them after every session or two to keep them in prime condition. Let the gunk build up and cleaning becomes a much bigger job.

How to clean different types of pieces

How to clean glass pipes and bongs

Glass pipes and bongs are beautiful but fragile. Don't boil them, or you risk cracking them.

Alcohol-free method: vinegar and baking soda

1. Clear the residue out of the bowl with a cotton swab.
2. Rinse the piece with warm water.
3. Soak the bowl in a zip-top bag with vinegar, baking soda and warm water.
4. Clean the inside with baking soda and vinegar.
5. Rinse with warm water.

Isopropyl alcohol method:

1. Clean out the bowl.
2. Shake the bong with coarse salt and isopropyl alcohol.
3. Clean the bowl and downstem with alcohol.
4. Rinse thoroughly.

How to clean a wooden pipe

Wooden pipes can be cleaned carefully with hot water and mild cleaning agents.

1. Clear out the residue with a cotton swab and rinse with hot water.
2. Use a gentle cleaner like vinegar to clean the inside of the pipe.
3. Rinse thoroughly.

How to clean a silicone bong

Silicone bongs are easy to clean because they're so tough.

1. Clear the residue out of the bowl.
2. Rinse with warm water.

How to clean hard-to-reach spots

Take your piece apart if you can before cleaning it. Use brushes and pipe cleaners to make sure you get it completely clean.

Extra tips

• Clean regularly: Clean after every use to avoid buildup that's tough to remove.
• Use pipe cleaners and brushes: They're great for reaching tight spots.
• Skip harsh chemicals: Don't use products that could damage your gear.
• Stop sticky resin before it starts: Rinse your pieces with hot water after each use so resin doesn't stick.

Keeping your pipes, bongs and rigs clean doesn't just make for a better smoke, it also makes your gear last longer. Enjoy smooth, tasty hits every time you light up!

How do you clean a glass bong?

Cleaning a glass bong is key to keeping it in good shape and getting the best possible hits. Here's a step-by-step method:

You'll need:

• Isopropyl alcohol (the higher the concentration, the better)
• Coarse salt
• A large zip-top plastic bag
• A cleaning brush or pipe cleaners
• Warm water

Instructions:

1. Take the bong apart: If your bong comes apart into several pieces, like the bowl and downstem, take it apart to make cleaning easier. That also gives you access to every part of the bong.
2. Clean the bowl and downstem: Use a cleaning brush or pipe cleaner to remove any sticky residue from the bowl and downstem. You can rinse them with warm water afterward to wash away anything loose.
3. Mix the cleaning solution: In a large zip-top plastic bag, add enough coarse salt to cover all the inner parts of the bong. Then pour in isopropyl alcohol until every piece is submerged.
4. Add the glass: Put the glass pieces of the bong in the bag with the cleaning solution. Make sure they're fully submerged.
5. Shake and soak: Seal the bag and shake it gently so the salt and alcohol reach every part of the bong. Then let it soak in the solution for at least 30 minutes. This lets the mix dissolve the built-up tar and resin on the glass.
6. Clean the hard-to-reach spots: While it soaks, you can use a cleaning brush or pipe cleaner to scrub hard-to-reach areas, like the inside of the neck and the percolator tubes.
7. Rinse with warm water: After soaking, take the glass pieces out of the bag and rinse them carefully under warm running water. This washes away any leftover cleaning solution and leaves your bong clean and free of any alcohol smell.
8. Final inspection: Once you've rinsed every piece, check your bong to make sure it's completely clean, with no salt or alcohol left behind.
9. Let it dry: Let every part of the bong air-dry completely before you put it back together and use it again. This matters, because it keeps any alcohol smell from lingering.