How to Clean a Bong: 3 Methods for A Sparkling Clean

The bong—also known as a water pipe—is a time-honored device dating back thousands of years. This popular tool is made to channel 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 and impart the best smoking experience possible.

So, we’re here to help you keep your bong squeaky clean and deliver the freshest hits. Learn three different methods for deep cleaning your bong, including the tried-and-true alcohol and salt combo, the use of vinegar or baking soda, and one method that skips these ingredients entirely.

Are you 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 it clean means you get to enjoy a rich and flavorful smoke each and every time.

How Often Should You Clean Your Bong?

The ideal frequency of cleaning your bong will depend on how often you use it. Most experts suggest at least once a week, if not every few days if it’s in heavy rotation. Once you learn the basic methods, you can decide the optimal cleaning schedule for yourself.

However, one thing isn’t debatable: How often to change the water in your bong. As mentioned earlier, stagnant water is an ideal breeding ground for some nasty bugs. You should change your water at least every session to keep things clean and safe.

When it’s time to clean your bong, you have options. While there are many opinions on how to best clean a bong, we’ve got three proven and sure-fire methods to keep your piece totally clear and squeaky clean using simple household items you’re likely to have on hand.

How to Clean a Bong with Alcohol and Salt

First things first: We’ll start with one of the most popular methods, which only uses two simple and time-honored ingredients: rubbing alcohol and salt.

What You Need:

• Sealable plastic baggies
• Coarse salt
• 99% Isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol)
• Cloth towel or paper towel
• Optional: rubber stoppers or bong plugs
• Optional: Pipe or brush cleaners

Instructions:

• 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.
• Step 3: Add 1/4 cup or so of 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 1/4 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 sit for roughly 30 minutes and up to a couple of hours, depending on the resin build-up.
• 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.
• 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—mainly if they haven’t been cleaned in a long time.
• Step 10: Allow all parts to air dry. If you’d like to use them immediately, dry them thoroughly before pouring in new bong water and firing up your freshly cleaned bong.

Variation With Hot Water and Salt: If you can’t find or would prefer not to use rubbing alcohol, you can substitute hot water instead. 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.

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, but you can 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

1. Disassemble and isolate the bong pieces as described above.
2. Add roughly 1/4 cup of baking soda to each baggie.
3. Instead of vinegar or alcohol, use enough warm water to make a thick solution (very hot water might inadvertently damage your bong, especially if it’s made out of plastic).
4. Let the solution sit—preferably for an hour or two or overnight.
5. Use a pipe or brush cleaner—or even an old toothbrush—to scrub any stubborn bits of residue away.
6. Rinse and allow your bong to air-dry.

Fill Up Your Clean Bong With Quality Bud From Mission

We hope today’s post has inspired you to get the most out of your next bong session. In our experience, keeping accessories like pipes and bongs clean and working at their best is a great way to enhance the all-natural pleasures of our favorite leafy green.

If you’re ready to try out your recently cleaned bong, we’re here for you! Start by choosing the Mission dispensary closest to you, and you’ll find a vast selection of fresh cannabis flower in every possible strain and cannabinoid ratio.

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—we’re always here to help.