Cleaning and Maintaining Your Smoking Gear: A Step-by-Step Guide

Wondering why your beloved bong isn’t delivering the best hits? If yes, read on!

Bongs and dab rigs are some of the most loved smoking accessories due to their ability to enhance one’s smoking experience. However, over time, they accumulate dirt and grime, which can ruin your smoking experience or, even worse, expose you to health concerns. Yes, you read that right- According to a 2019 study, a high level of bacteria was found on cannabis pipes, vaporizers, and joints.

That said, using a dirty bong should be the last thing in your mind. But hey! We don’t mean that you toss that dab banger or bong away. All you need to do is show some love to it by cleaning it up. And, of course, we get that cleaning bongs can be overwhelming due to the intricate components. Luckily, we have provided a step-by-step guide to help you achieve a clean bong hassle-free. Keep reading!

Cleaning Your Beloved Smoking Accessories - A Comprehensive Guide

First things first, you need to gather cleaning supplies before starting the cleaning process. You see, residue build-up clogged down stems or percolators, and stubborn stains and odors call for more specialized cleaning supplies. The regular dishwasher on your kitchen skin won’t do it. Here are the cleaning supplies you should stock up.

Pipe cleaners: Bongs and dab rigs have intricate components requiring specialized brushes to reach down there. One or two of these should be enough.

Latex Gloves: This is optional; however, if you are allergic, you might want to buy these as some of the cleaning supplies are mildly acidic.

Isopropyl Alcohol: Get a concentration of 90% or higher to kill bacteria and break down residues.

Formula 420 pipe cleaner: This formula contains coarse salt and resin melting materials that help remove stubborn stains within 5 minutes.

You will also need the following:

• Clean and filtered warm water
• Plastic bag containers
• Dish towels, stoppers, or bungs.
• Bowl, basin, or sink large enough to accommodate all the disassembled parts.

Step By Step Guide to Achieve Clean Smoking Accessories

Empty the Water

While it’s tempting to use the water in the chamber to clean the bong or dab rig, it will only worsen the situation. Remember that smoke passes through this water. Thus, there is filtered resin, which can spread out to other parts of the smoking accessory. To avoid this, ensure you empty the remaining water before starting the cleaning process. Next, partially fill the bong or dab rig with warm water to give it a good rinse.

Disassemble Pieces

If you are cleaning a bong, make sure you disassemble the parts for easier cleaning. Separate the bowl, down stems, extenders, and other removable parts carefully to prevent cracking. Once done, you can put them in separate plastic bags before soaking them in warm water.

For those cleaning dab bangers, ensure you remove the nail and dome for a seamless cleaning experience.

Soak in Isopropyl Alcohol

After you have completely disassembled the removable places and put them in different plastic containers, you want to add enough isopropyl alcohol to fully submerge the pieces. If you don’t have alcohol, vinegar or lemon juice combined with rice and baking soda is another great alternative. While you may need to soak your parts longer, they will help remove the stains. Soaking for 30 minutes to 1 hour will serve you well.

The next step is to seal the openings left in the main part of the bong. Use stoppers, bungs, dish towels, or cotton balls. Partially fill the bong with your desired cleaning solution and let it soak for 30 minutes to an hour.

Give It a Good Shake

Before you empty the cleaning solution, shake your bong vigorously to ensure the solution reaches all parts of the bong or dab rig. You want to shake it for 5 minutes or longer for optimal results.

Here is a bonus tip: Ensure your stoppers or bungs are tight enough to withstand the vigorous shaking.

Scrub With Pipe Cleaners

If you notice stains on the hard-to-reach areas, you can swap the cleaning solution with Formula 420 and give your bong another good shake before using the pipe cleaners to scrub the areas. This method is known to remove stubborn stains in less than 5 minutes.

Rinse Thoroughly

Now comes the exciting step. Remove all the soaked components of your dab rig and bongs, and rinse them thoroughly using clean, purified water. Do the same to your bong and dab rig. There you have it: a clean dab rig and bong.

Here is a bonus tip: Ensure you use purified water to rinse. Unfiltered water has a knack for leaving a foggy, cloudy appearance on the surface of your bong.

Dry Completely

We get that you are in a hurry to use your dab rig or bong again, but not that fast! Reassembling the bong components when not completely dry is risky. Your hands are slippery, and the components may slip out of your hands, resulting in cracking or damage. So, ensure you let the parts dry off completely. If you are in so much of a hurry, use a clean, dry towel to dry it off.

Reassemble the Bong

Carefully reassemble the bong parts. Ensure they are securely and properly attached for the proper functioning of your bong or dab banger.

Test for Residues

Cleaning solutions may not be properly rinsed out, so ensure you test for any leftover residue before using the bong again. Rinse with water if you do find leftovers.

Signs to Help You Know Your Bong Needs Cleaning

Dirty bong water: Over time, the filtered smoke leaves resins and contaminants, causing the water to turn brown.

Residue build-up: A sticky-like residue or tar will start accumulating on the interior of your bong, especially the downstem and percolators.

Ash Build-Up: Ash usually shows up on the interior of your bong as a whitish or blackish coating. If left for some time, they form into chunks which can be inhaled.

Don’t ruin your smoking experience or risk your health because of a dirty bong or dab rig. Follow these steps and revive that badass bong or dab rig to deliver smooth and potent hits. Also, if you realize some of your components are worn out, don’t toss the entire bong. Upgrade and save a few coins by visiting our online head shop Badass Glass. We have a large selection of bongs, pipes, and other accessories - browse now and find some of the best products to elevate your smoking experience.