The bong—also known as a water pipe—is a time-honored device, with roots dating back thousands of years. This popular tool is made to consume cannabis smoke through a water chamber, which results in a cooler, smoother smoking experience.
It’s a simple enough idea, but it introduces a dilemma: The constant mix of smoke, water, and tubing means that a bong needs to be kept clean to function well, impart the best smoking experience possible, and inhibit the growth of potentially harmful (and definitely unpleasant-tasting) microbes, especially for medical cannabis patients and flavor-conscious consumers.
Sound scary? Don’t fear: We’re here to help with three easy cleaning methods for the freshest, safest hits. Your route to a clean bong includes the tried-and-true alcohol and salt combo, the vinegar or baking soda approach, and one method that skips these ingredients entirely.
Ready for a sparkling piece? Let’s get scrubbing!
Why Clean Your Bong?
Sure, having nice-looking stuff is great, but does it really matter whether or not your bong is clean? In short, yes—both for your health and for the quality of your cannabis experience.
While few independently confirmed instances of bong-related sicknesses exist, they’re not a myth, and they have actually happened. In 2017, a 23-year-old male was admitted to the hospital with a fever, difficulty breathing, and coughing up blood. Eventually, it was determined that he had contracted pneumonia through the contaminated water in his bong. A photo of the device in question indicates that it was a far-from-clean machine.
That’s an extreme example and, fortunately, a rare one. But stagnant water is a breeding ground for all sorts of pathogenic microbes, fungi, and yeasts—none of which you want inside your lungs.
Then there’s the issue of what old, stale bong water can do to your overall smoking experience. Why go through the trouble of sourcing the most flavorful, potent, and exciting cannabis strains available if those delicate aromas are filtered through a brown, resinous, or ashy-tasting liquid? The whole point of a bong is that it’s meant to filter out any potential harshness from the smoke. Keeping a clean bong means you get to enjoy a rich and flavorful smoke each and every time.
How to Clean a Bong with Alcohol and Salt
For many fans of this classic device, the best way to clean a bong is the simplest, using two easy-to-source ingredients: rubbing alcohol and coarse salt.
What You’ll Need
- Sealable plastic baggies
- Cup coarse salt
- 99% isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol)
- Cloth towel or paper towel
- Optional: rubber stoppers or bong plugs
- Optional: Pipe or brush cleaners
Part I: Empty and Disassemble
- Step 1: Pour out the old bong water from your bong.
- Step 2: Remove the bowl and downstem and place them into their own plastic baggies.
Part II: Add Alcohol and Salt
- Step 3: Add ¼ cup coarse salt to each bag. Sea salt or kosher salt is preferred, as the larger crystals act as gentle abrasives to help scrub away resin and gunk. You can use regular table salt, but those finer grains are generally less effective.
- Step 4: Add enough rubbing alcohol to the bags to submerge the pieces in the solution fully.
- Step 5: Pour ¼ cup of coarse salt and an equal amount of rubbing alcohol into the base of the bong—you might need more if the grime in your chamber reaches beyond the level of liquid. Let it sit for roughly 30 minutes and up to a couple of hours, depending on the resin build-up.
Part III: Soak and Shake
- Step 6: After enough time has elapsed, plug the holes in your bong with purpose-made stoppers or seal them with plastic wrap and a rubber band.
- Step 7: Shake the bong vigorously so that the salt and alcohol can slosh around to every crevice. You know you’re doing it right if you see dirty bits of resin floating in the solution.
- Step 8: Turn your attention to the bowl and downstem in the baggies. Using your fingertips, lightly work the salt and alcohol solution around the parts for a scrubbing effect.
Part IV: Rinse and Dry
- Step 9: Pour the alcohol and salt mixture into the drain and rinse all the parts with warm water. If the bong and its parts don’t look as clean as you’d like, you may have to repeat these steps or use pipe and brush cleaners, especially if they haven’t been cleaned in a long time.
- Step 10: Allow all parts to air dry and reassemble them. If you’d like to use them immediately, dry them thoroughly before pouring in new bong water and firing up your freshly cleaned bong.
Extra Tips For a Cleaner Bong
If you can’t find (or would prefer not to use) rubbing alcohol, you can substitute hot water instead. But keep in mind that this is a less efficient route to dissolving resin and other caked-on residues, and may in turn necessitate multiple cleanings.
We strongly recommend sourcing 99% isopropyl alcohol over 70%. Why? That caked-on resin is non-polar, and the higher-grade alcohol is a far more effective solvent than the lower ones. And don’t neglect the proper rinse and drying stage. Those alcohol vapors aren’t meant to be inhaled—nor used around open flame.
How To Clean a Bong with Vinegar or Lemon Juice
This method is nearly identical to the one mentioned above, but it takes advantage of the fact that vinegar and lemon juice are mild acids that can gently eat away at caked-on resin.
The steps are the same as above, but you can simply substitute distilled white vinegar or bottled lemon juice for the rubbing alcohol.
How To Clean a Bong with Baking Soda
If you’d prefer to clean your bong without alcohol or vinegar, or you don’t have either on hand, you can turn to one more common household ingredient to get the job done. Follow these steps for a deep clean with baking soda:
- Disassemble and isolate the bong pieces as described above.
- Add roughly ¼ cup of baking soda to each baggie.
- Instead of vinegar or alcohol, use enough warm water to make a thick solution. Note that very hot water might inadvertently damage your bong, especially if it’s made out of plastic.
- Let the solution sit—preferably for an hour or two or overnight.
- Use a pipe or brush cleaner—or even an old toothbrush—to scrub any stubborn bits of residue away.
- Rinse and allow your bong to air-dry.
How Often Should You Clean Your Bong?
The ideal frequency of cleaning your bong will depend on how often you use it. It’s usually recommended to clean your bong at least once a week, if not every couple of days, if it’s in heavy rotation. Once you learn the basic methods, you can decide the optimal cleaning schedule for yourself.
One thing that isn’t debatable is how often to change the water in your bong. Stagnant water is an ideal breeding ground for some nasty bugs, so you should change your water every session to keep things clean, clear, and safe.
Quick Tips for Keeping Your Bong Clean Between Sessions
Regular deep cleans are important, but day-to-day upkeep goes a long way in keeping your bong performing its best. These five quick tips can help you maintain your water pipe with minimal effort:
- Always use fresh, filtered water to reduce any buildup in the bong
- Empty and rinse your bong after each session
- Store the bong in a cool, dry place to avoid moisture or condensation
- Keep essential tools such as plugs, brushes, fresh isopropyl alcohol and salt on hand so they’re there when you need them
- Clean your bong regularly, depending on how often you use it
Bonus tip: Some bong designs include features that make them inherently easy to maintain, such as wider openings and ports, and fewer percolators/bubblers. While bongs are highly personal devices by nature, you may find that ease of maintenance is a feature worth having.
Ready to Use Your Clean Bong? Head to Mission Dispensaries
Everyone’s tastes are a bit different, but if there’s one thing all cannabis fans can agree on, it’s that fresh flavor and aroma are always worth it. In our experience, keeping accessories like pipes and bongs clean and in good condition is a great way to enhance the sensory delights of our favorite leafy green.
If you’re ready to put your squeaky-clean bong to the test, we’d like to help! Start by choosing the Mission dispensary closest to you, where you’ll find a vast selection of fresh cannabis flower in every possible strain and cannabinoid profile.
Have more questions about cleaning a bong, safe cleansers, or any other cannabis-related questions? Ask our staff or check out our blog for expert tips and information on all things cannabis. If you need to get up to speed on other consumption techniques, don’t miss our related guides, including How to Clean a Pipe Step-by-Step.
How to Clean a Bong: FAQs
Can I clean my bong with dish soap?
While you can wash your glass with a gentle dish soap and a soft sponge, it’s not generally regarded as the best way to clean a bong. Bong tubes are often made of acrylic, which can easily be scratched. We suggest you attempt the tried-and-true vinegar and coarse salt method first, and then use dish soap only if needed.
Is boiling water safe for bongs?
Although warm or hot tap water is generally safe to put into a bong, we recommend that our customers not pour boiling water directly into a bong, especially if it’s made of glass. The sudden temperature change can cause the glass to shatter or crack due to thermal shock.
What’s the easiest bong to clean?
For an easy-to-clean glass bong experience, try finding one with large, accessible openings and few (or no) percolators or bubblers. These designs allow pipe cleaners and other implements to reach any areas in need of extra cleaning more easily.
Can I clean a bong with hydrogen peroxide?
While you can use hydrogen peroxide as a bong cleaner, it’s more commonly recommended for a lighter clean and sanitizing. In our experience, the tried-and-true vinegar or coarse salt method remains the most effective way to ensure a clean bong or water pipe.
How do I clean a silicone bong?
Any of the bong cleaning approaches mentioned above will work on a silicone bong. Just be sure not to use a harsh abrasive pad, as silicone can easily get scratched and lose its shiny appearance.
