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How to Clean a Water Pipe

How to Clean a Water Pipe

Water pipes or glass bongs should be cleaned as often as possible. The longer you put off the necessary routine, the harder it is going to be to effortlessly or effectively clean the parts. While dirty bong-water should be gotten rid of after every session, a regular user should clean the entire apparatus at least once a week. In this comprehensive guide, we recommend and explain two methods of how to clean a water pipe. Both are effective, so you can choose depending on availability of the essentials.  

Method One

This method requires soap, cotton swab, lemon juice, warm water, plastic zipper bag, a small to medium container, and a pair of latex gloves. You will of course need access to a basin, or sink, and clean tap water. Here are the steps for this method of cleaning a water pipe.

  • Mix soap in some warm water for presoaking the bong. Use very little soap to avoid residual traces. Presoaking for an hour works well for most. Extremely dirty bongs need up to two hours of presoaking.
  • Get the plastic zipper bag, large enough for all the pieces, and put every removal component of the bong inside it. Get sap and pour it slowly into the bag, till all the parts are submerged. Allow five minutes of soaking and then drain out the soap. Exercise caution to not let the parts tumble out of the bag.
  • Take the small to medium container and pour in some soap. Take one disassembled part of the bong at a time, dip it in and clean it using a cotton swab. You can scrub gently but repeatedly to get rid of rigid debris, whether resin or grime. Rinse the parts when done.
  • Repeat the scrubbing for all pieces. Get the lemon juice and add some warm water. Pour this into the base of the bong. Cover all the holes and shake it in a swishing motion. Do this for a while and then rinse. You will need multiple rounds of rinsing.

Method Two

This method requires a cleaning solvent, which could be a premium glass cleaner, or vinegar. You will need an abrasive agent, such as baking soda, rice, or coarse salt. You must have access to a basin or sink, and clean water. Latex gloves are also recommended for this method.

  • Make sure the dirty leftover water is gotten rid of. Try to remove any ash, residual debris, and spare herb that may be inside the bong. Rinse the water pipe using warm water. Repeat to ensure a thorough rinse.
  • Disassemble the water pipe and fill the base with some vinegar and use rice, baking soda or coarse salt for the abrasive cleaning. An effective combination is soap and coarse salt. Cover the open holes with your fingers and shake the base. Shake repeatedly and vigorously to get rid of rigid stains.
  • Removable parts such as stems should be cleaned with the same mixture. You can block one end of the part, pour in some of the soap and salt mixture, block the other hole and shake it. Repeat if necessary so the interiors are truly clean.
  • Always clean the removable parts separately, as they are easier to manage and you will reduce the risk of breaking the entire bong if it accidentally slips or gets banged onto a hard surface. Rinse all the parts thoroughly using warm water. The rinsing process must be repeated to ensure there is no leftover salt or trace of soap.

In both these methods, you can use a glass cleaner for the exteriors. The exteriors don’t get exposed to as much resin and other residues. They remain relatively cleaner, but there will be spots of smudges and other stains. A cotton swab or a soft microfiber cloth and a reliable glass cleaner should get the job done.

Pro Tips

Do not keep parts of a bong in the sink while you are cleaning any particular component. You may accidentally turn on the faucet and the flow of water could damage the parts in the sink.

Take every part, one at a time, attend to it while other components are safely on a table. Presoaking and soaking should happen next to the sink, not inside.

Do not use any cotton swab, plastic bag, or microfiber cloth that is unclean. Avoid using hot water. Only lukewarm water should be used. During summers, water at room temperature can be used.

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