Bongs require regular cleaning to prevent the user from inhaling bacteria and mold and provide a smoother hit with a cleaner taste. Maintaining your bong can also help increase its lifespan.

While it’s tempting to ditch your bong next to your couch after using it (especially when you’re hitting Indica strains), you’ll thank yourself for cleaning it the next time you reach for it, and it won’t take as long as you think. 

Why Clean Your Bong?

Health Considerations

Cleaning your bong isn’t just about taste. Taking the time to clean it between uses can also be a good move for your health. Bongs utilize water to filter and cool smoke before you take a hit into your lungs, so they will always be quite moist inside.

If you don’t empty the bong water and clean out the remaining liquid inside, there’s a chance mold and bacteria can grow in your bong. Burning cannabis can also leave a resin inside the bong, which is super sticky. If you don’t clean it immediately, it may feel like you’ll never get it off as it layers up inside and can trap bacteria inside the bong. 

Better Smoking Experience

Cannabis connoisseurs who know all about terpenes and want to savor the flavor of every hit will want to keep their bong even cleaner than anybody else. When you clean out the contaminants inside, like tar and resin, you’re no longer burning it repeatedly and contributing to a burnt or bitter taste.

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Changing the water in your bong allows the terpenes to flow freely to your taste buds and removes that stale smell that can also affect the enjoyment of each hit. Clean water should also contribute to smoother and less harsh hits. 

Prolongs Bong Life

Cleaning your bong will not only make it more desirable to hit, but it’ll also get rid of the sticky resin inside, which can be a nightmare to remove if left too long. Resin can cause cracks and chips when you finally get around to cleaning it and have to use too much force. 

What You Need to Clean Your Bong

Basic Supplies

• Isopropyl alcohol (90% or higher)
• Coarse salt (Epsom salt or kosher salt works best)
• Pipe cleaners or cotton swabs
• Warm water
• Cleaning brush or sponge (optional)

Optional Cleaning Tools

• Bong cleaning solution (store-bought)
• Rubber gloves (for handling dirty water and resin)

Step-by-Step Guide to Cleaning Your Bong

1. Disassemble Your Bong

• Remove the bowl and downstem.
• Empty any remaining water.

2. Pre-Cleaning: Rinse with Warm Water

• Run warm water through the bong to loosen up any loose resin or debris.

3. Cleaning the Bowl and Downstem

• Soak the bowl and downstem in a container of warm water and isopropyl alcohol for 15-20 minutes.
• Use pipe cleaners or cotton swabs to remove stubborn build-up.
• Rinse thoroughly with warm water.

4. Cleaning the Bong

• Pour isopropyl alcohol and a generous amount of coarse salt into the bong.
• Cover all openings (using your hands or plugs if necessary) and shake gently to dislodge resin and grime.
• For particularly dirty bongs, let it sit for 20-30 minutes before shaking.

5. Rinse and Repeat

• Empty the alcohol and salt solution, and rinse the bong thoroughly with warm water.
• Repeat the alcohol-and-salt treatment if the bong is very dirty or has stubborn spots.

6. Final Touches

• Use a cleaning brush or sponge to scrub the inner walls of the bong.
• Clean the mouthpiece and any other hard-to-reach areas with pipe cleaners or cotton swabs.

Special Tips for Hard-to-Clean Areas

For Thick Resin Build-Up

• Soak the bong overnight in alcohol and salt.
• Use a more abrasive brush for tough spots.

For Stubborn Odors

• Use a combination of vinegar and baking soda as a natural cleaner.
• After cleaning, air-dry the bong or use a clean cloth to wipe it down.

How Often Should You Clean Your Bong?

• Regular Use: Clean your bong at least once a week for optimal performance.
• Heavy Use: If you smoke daily, you may need to clean it more often (every 2-3 days).
• Signs Your Bong Needs Cleaning: Foul smell, cloudy water, or a noticeable build-up of resin.

Alternative Cleaning Methods

Using a Commercial Bong Cleaner

Commercial bong cleaners like Formula 420 and Grunge Off can make cleaning your bong easier as they contain all the ingredients needed to remove stubborn stains. However, they can be more pricey than gathering these ingredients yourself. To use, simply disassemble your bong and follow the instructions on the bottle. 

Using Natural Cleaners

Natural cleaners are an alternative to commercial bong cleaners and alcohol. People concerned with their environmental impact or those who don’t want to risk inhaling any chemical residue that a commercial bong cleaner can leave behind can utilize the cleaning properties of vinegar, lemon juice, and baking soda instead.

These ingredients will break down light or moderate bong residue but may struggle with more stubborn stains. If you’re interested in keeping it natural, combine ½ cup of vinegar with three tablespoons of baking soda and apply it to the bong, or mix the juice of 1 lemon with two tablespoons of baking soda and apply. 

Preventing Build-Up: Tips for Keeping Your Bong Clean Longer

To prevent build-up in your bong, change the water after each session. Be sure to clean all components regularly, including the bowl and downstem. Ice in your bong water is a great way to reduce the amount of accumulated resin. Or, you can use a bong filter or screen to prevent as much resin from reaching the bong itself. 

Conclusion

Cleaning your bong will prevent you from inhaling nasty mold or bacteria, prolong your bong's life, and ensure a better taste from every hit. Change the water in your bong after every use and clean it regularly for optimal performance. If you’re not happy with natural cleaners, try using a commercial cleaner, but don’t settle for anything less than a sparkling bong.