You use it regularly. It brings you good times. But how often do you think about your bong’s cleanliness? Very often all we do is blow the shooter, change the water and give it an occasional rinse. But is that enough? Here, in Jonnybaba’s Guide to Bong Cleaning, we’re gonna dive deep into bong hygiene and find the truth burbling beneath like a fat bong rip!
WHY DO I NEED TO CLEAN MY BONG?
Keeping your bong clean isn’t just so it looks good. An unclean bong can harm you in multiple ways, which shouldn’t be taken for granted.
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Contamination:
Unclean bongs accumulate bacteria, mold and other pollutants that can be inhaled while you smoke. This can lead to respiratory problems and other health problems.
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Resin Buildup:
Bongs can also accumulate resin, a sticky, tar-like substance that builds up over time. This resin can contain toxins that can be harmful when inhaled. It also clogs up your bong and makes it harder to inhale.
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Taste:
Dirty bongs produce a harsh and unpleasant taste in the smoke you inhale. Cleaning your bong regularly can remove the impurities and leave the bong smelling and tasting fresh.
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Health Effects:
As mentioned above, there’s long lasting health issues linked to contaminated bong smoke including respiratory and allergic reactions.
ESSENTIALS FOR BONG CLEANING
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Isopropyl Alcohol (91% or higher)
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Coarse Salt (like Epsom salt or sea salt)
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Cotton Swabs or Pipe Cleaners
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Clean Water (distilled or tap)
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Bong Cleaning Brushes
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Plastic Resealable Bags (for cleaning smaller parts like downstems and bowls)
HOW OFTEN SHOULD I CLEAN MY BONG?
Cleaning frequency depends on how often you use your bong. Regular smokes should give their bongs a thorough cleaning every week and a quick rinse after every smoke sesh. If you’re an occasional smoker, a monthly clean should work for you. If you notice a strong smell, choked airflow or a different taste, it's ideal to clean your bong right then and there.
WHAT KIND OF ALCOHOL TO CLEAN A BONG?
There are a number of different bong cleaning products to use but most experts recommend a simple mixture of isopropyl alcohol. Just empty your bong of the dirty bong water, remove the bowl, rinse it with warm water and then add 91% isopropyl alcohol and some coarse salt inside the bong.
CAN YOU USE 70% ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL FOR CLEANING?
You can use 70% for a lighter cleaning but to get those rough resin residues out, 91% or higher percentage is required. That is the best solution to clean a bong with.
IS 91 OR 99% ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL BETTER FOR CLEANING BONGS?
99% isopropyl alcohol means the mixture has 1% water. This is the highest concentration of alcohol, making it the optimum way to dissolve that difficult resin and buildup.
WHAT KIND OF SALT TO CLEAN A BONG?
You should use a coarse salt - Epsom or sea salt. Empty and rinse your bong or pipe with warm water to clear out as much debris as you can. Fill the bong or pipe with about as much Isopropyl alcohol as you would water, then add a handful of salt. Cover the openings of the glass to avoid spillage.
CLEANING DIFFERENT TYPES OF BONGS
Different types of bongs have slightly different cleaning procedures. It’s important, that in your quest to clean your bong, you don't damage it unknowingly. So, let’s break down how to clean different kinds of bongs.
GLASS BONGS
Glass bongs are relatively easy to clean without much hassle, thanks to their smooth, non porous surface.
STEP 1: Disassemble all the removable parts of the bong.
STEP 2: Pour isopropyl alcohol into the bong, followed by coarse salt.
STEP 3: Plug the mouth and the downstem and shake vigorously.
STEP 4: Thoroughly rinse the bong with hot water to remove the solution.
STEP 5: Place the bowl and downstem in a plastic bag with alcohol and salt and shake to clean, and rinse with hot water.
SILICONE BONGS
The Isopropyl alcohol method might not be best suited for Silicone bongs as alcohol degrades silicone over time. You must either use a soap-water solution or freeze the bong. Either way, silicone bongs are flexible, thus making it easy to fully clean. Let’s dive deeper:
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Soap-Water Solution Method
Step 1: Separate all the removable parts of the bong.
Step 2: Make a hot water and soap solution in a bucket with a few drops of dish soap.
Step 3: Scrub the bong with a soft brush, paying special attention to the bowl and downstem.
Step 4: Rinse the bong to remove all soap residue and dry it well.
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Freezing Method
Step 1: Place your silicone bong in the freezer for a few hours.
Step 2: Once the bong is frozen, bend and twist the bong to crack and break free the residue stuck inside.
Step 3: Rinse to remove remaining particles.
ACRYLIC BONGS
Alcohol can make Acrylic bongs cloudy and cracked over time. So, soap-water solution is the ideal way to go.
STEP 1: Remove all the detachable parts.
STEP 2: Let the bong sit in a warm soap-water solution for 30 minutes.
STEP 3: Use a bottle brush to scrub inside the bong.
STEP 4: Rinse the bong well and dry.
BONG CLEANING KITS
Now that you know how to clean your bong, let’s get you the hook up for the tools you need! Here’s Jonnybaba’s top picks for bong cleaning tools.
Watch the walk through video here.
The JB Glass Bong Rescue Kit helps you maintain the purity of your smoking sessions. It is thoughtfully designed for those passionate about maintaining their bong’s cleanliness. With the power of the cleaning solution and coarse salt, it cuts through grime like magic.
Here’s what’s included in the kit:
1 x 250ml Bong Cleaner Liquid (90% Isopropyl Alcohol): to cut through difficult-to-deal-with resin with ease
1 x Pack of Coarse Salt 50g: to deal with stubborn resin residue for a deeper clean
1 x Shooter/ Pipe Cleaning Brush: to reach those trickier areas with ease and flexibility
1 x Pair of Gloves: to keep your hands clean and protected
1 x Disposable Mask: to stay safe from powerful fumes
The JB Glass Bong Rescue Kit is available for ₹499 only.
Available in four colors, this brush is a versatile tool perfect for all your cleaning needs. Made from durable silicone, it is designed to tackle even the toughest cleaning tasks, making it an essential tool for any cleaning arsenal.
Its silicone build ensures scratch-free scrubbing, and heat resistance when dealing with hot water. The non-slip, curved handle provides easy and stable cleaning and its bristles bend to reach tight spots but keep their shape over time.
The Silicone Bong Cleaning Brush is available at ₹499 only.
Available in three colors, the Magnetic Bong Cleaner is a must have for any glass bong enthusiast. Its 2 part magnetic design makes cleaning a breeze, while the metal handle helps with a firm grip. The gentle rubber bristles protect your glassware while achieving a sparkling clean.
All you have to do is attach the magnetic brush to the interior of your glassware, use the handle to maneuver to tricky spots no other brush can tackle and rinse thoroughly! It's compact and efficient and completely hassle free.
The Magnetic Bong Cleaner is available at ₹499 only.
CONCLUSION
Bongs are the perfect partner for your smoking sessions, so why not treat your partner to a proper clean? No more black stains on your crystal clear bongs, give your bongs the attention they deserve with Jonnybaba’s range of bong cleaning tools, today!
