Bubblers are handheld smoking devices that utilize a water chamber to filter smoke, which can offer a smoother hit than a standard pipe or joint. Like a bong on the go, bubblers are an efficient way to savor a flavorful hit of your favorite flower, hash, or concentrate. Make the most of a bubbler with regular cleaning.

How to Use a Bubbler

Cleaning your bubbler will prolong its life, prevent the device from clogging, stop mold and bacteria from building up between uses, and more. Smoke can travel through the glass tubes more efficiently, leading to a smoother and tastier hit. 

Read more to learn what you’ll need to clean your bubbler, get a step-by-step guide on how to clean it, and additional tips on bubbler maintenance. 

How to Clean A Bubbler

Here’s a quick step by step on how to clean a bubbler. Don’t worry, we’ll go into each step in more detail later on.

Step 1:Disassemble the bubbler

Step 2: Rinse with warm water

Step 3: Prepare the cleaning solution

Step 4: Clean the main chamber

Step 5: Clean the detachable parts

Step 6:Rinse and dry

Materials Needed to Clean a Bubbler

Before you start cleaning, make sure you have the following items: 

• Isopropyl alcohol (preferably 91% or higher)
• Coarse salt (e.g., sea salt or Epsom salt)
• Cotton swabs or pipe cleaners
• Small brush (e.g., bottle brush)
• Warm water
• Bowl or sink
• Paper towels or clean cloth

Step-by-Step Bubbler Cleaning Process

While it might be tempting to run your bubbler through the dishwasher, this may lead to breakages due to high temperatures, toxins in detergents, and the pressure of the water inside the machine. It also won’t lead to a better clean and may not even remove the residue. 

Instead, you’ll have to get hands-on and take a few minutes to clean your bubbler properly. 

Like with any glass product, be sure to take your time and be careful handling it to avoid dropping it or cracking any of its components. 

Disassemble the Bubbler

First, take your bubbler apart. Remove any detachable parts like the bowl or downstem and separate the main chamber from the rest of the components. 

Rinse with Warm Water

Next, take the collection of parts to your bowl or sink and rinse them with warm water to remove loose debris and any larger pieces of resin that may be clinging to the chambers. Take each piece and check that water flows freely through all the nooks and crannies. 

Prepare Cleaning Solution

Combine your isopropyl alcohol with coarse salt in a bowl or container. This combination will break down residue and make it easier to scrub away. 

Clean the Main Chamber

First, clean the main chamber of your bubbler with the isopropyl alcohol and salt solution. Pour it into the chamber and swirl it gently to dislodge and dissolve the buildup. If you find that residue in your bubbler is clinging on, take a small brush like a bottle brush and scrub it. The alcohol should break the resin down sufficiently to brush it off. 

Clean Detachable Parts

Now, take the remaining parts (that you removed earlier) and submerge them inside the same solution. Cotton swabs or pipe cleaners should help you clean hard-to-reach areas in the smaller parts like the downstem. For very dirty areas, let the parts soak for a few minutes before scrubbing. 

Rinse and Dry

Finally, it’s time to rinse all the components with warm water to remove any leftover alcohol or salt solution. Then, dry each part with paper towels or a clean cloth or leave to air dry. Before you reassemble and use the bubbler again, make sure all parts are completely dry to prevent any mold or bacteria from building up. 

Additional Tips

While you may not have the time or energy to clean your bubbler after every use, daily smokers should aim to rinse the individual components with warm water every time and do a deep clean once a week to get rid of the weekly residue and prevent too much buildup.

If you don’t use your bubbler much, aim to clean it every few uses instead. It’s essential to handle the bubblers’ small glass components during cleaning. Take it apart carefully with dry hands to avoid dropping or breaking any of them. 

Isopropyl alcohol and coarse salt aren’t the only cleaning solutions you can use to restore your bubbler to its former glory. White vinegar mixed with baking soda is a more natural alternative that reacts when combined to break down residue, but it will require more elbow grease to remove the residue. 

Alternatively, you can use an ultrasonic cleaning device and cleaning solution to get into the crevices and gently clean your glass with less effort. Or, head to your local smoke shop and ask them for a bottle of specialized pipe cleaner, which takes the hassle of combining the two main ingredients of your DIY solution.

If you don’t want to buy even more hardware to clean your bubbler, you may want to try using a screen filter or gauze instead to lower the amount of residue in the main chamber. 

Troubleshooting

Even regular cleaning can’t stop specific problems arising with your bubbler. 

• Avoid a smelly bubbler by emptying water after every use, cleaning it regularly, using purified water, and using activated charcoal to soak up any remaining water to keep it completely dry. 
• If hitting your bubbler feels harsher than usual or it doesn’t taste as good, it’s probably time for a clean. Another giveaway is if the bubbler smells, looks discolored, or the water is cloudy when you first pour it inside the water chamber. 

Conclusion

If you want a clean and tasty high, keep your bubbler clean. Regular cleaning will help your bubbler last longer, improve the taste, make smoking more accessible, and stop mold and bacteria from building up between uses.

Be sure to rinse your bubbler after each use with warm water and add a weekly deep clean to your routine. Remember, it doesn’t take long to clean when you add it to your routine, and it will improve the quality of every hit.