Many of you have likely experienced using a filthy, uncleaned bong. The resin and ash buildup is so thick, you can carve it with a knife. What should be a trusty smoking device has turned into a grimy piece of equipment that everyone else would likely avoid like the plague.

Just like any piece of equipment that comes into contact with your mouth, your bong should be regularly cleaned. And it’s not only for hygiene purposes; cleaning and maintaining your bong also makes for a much better smoking experience.

Thankfully, if you’re looking for the most effective way to clean a bong, this article should give you some insight, and, at the very least, implore you to take action if you haven’t yet.

Why Is It Important to Clean Your Bong?

The thought of putting an unclean device in your mouth is both unhygienic and straight-up unappealing. But there are other reasons a bong should be kept clean. As mentioned, a dirty bong adversely affects the overall smoking experience. A clean bong will give you a smoother smoke with better-tasting hits. Also, by cleansing your bong bowl and downstem, it will be easier to take large, uninhibited hits, and will also prevent coughing from inhaling burnt resin or debris.

But the most important reason you should keep your bong clean is for your own health. All of that buildup, alongside stagnant water, creates the perfect environment for fungus and other pathogens to thrive. Of course, coming into contact with these pathogens, especially when inhaled, can be harmful to your health and cause respiratory conditions like bronchitis—never a pleasant experience.

When Should You Clean Your Bong?

The answer to this question depends on how often you use your bong. If you only have one water pipe in your arsenal, and use it every day, you should clean it after every session. If you don’t have the time to do so, do it every other day. The bottom line: don’t let a week go by without cleaning it.

Now, if you’re the type who goes through life eyeballing things, here’s a good indicator: once you see a ring begin to form on the waterline, go ahead and clean it. No questions asked.

If you’re wondering where that unpleasant smell is coming from, that’s all thanks to mildew and bacteria buildup. Mildew should only exist on your bathroom floor (and be cleaned right away), not in a device that you inhale from.

How to Clean Your Bong

The key to keeping a bong clean without much hassle is to do it regularly. It’s the same reason it isn't wise to leave a pile of dirty dishes in the sink: the cleanup tends to become more of a headache the longer things are left to persist.

With the cleaning solution, you can keep it simple. All you need is three ingredients: water, salt, and some rubbing alcohol. Use equal parts of each.

Now, here’s a brief step-by-step guide to help you through the process:

• Rid the bong of any remaining stagnant water. Follow that up with a rinse of hot water to get rid of residual impurities.

• Remove any small parts, such as the bowl and downstem, and let them soak in the mixture you prepared.

• Now, fill the bong chamber with the solution. Using some cotton buds, cover all the holes to prevent your homemade solution from spilling out. Next, give the bong a vigorous shake to make sure all of those dark spots are cleansed off. Do it for as long as needed.

• Rinse the bong thoroughly with warm water, and allow it to air-dry completely. You don’t want any alcohol residue remaining when you go to smoke.

At this point, your bong is ready to use again, so feel free to fill the chamber with clean water. And remember, if you prefer not to deal with that annoying buildup, clean the device regularly.

Products You Can Use to Clean Your Bong

Now, if you want specific products to make the process of cleaning your bong even easier, here are some good examples to start with—all of which are available at the Zamnesia store.

Bong Shine Cleaning Concentrate

If you don’t have the time, ingredients, or desire to make a cleaning concentrate, this is your next best option (or even better!). Bong Shine cleaning concentrate is very easy to use: add up to two tablespoons of this product into your bong, followed by some hot water. Leave it to sit for five minutes before rinsing the bong. You don’t even need to shake or scrub it. The Bong Shine cleaning concentrate will do it for you!

Salt Rox

As the name suggests, Salt Rox is made from salt rock crystals that are abrasive enough to scrape out that built-up tar and grime. The best part is it is also gentle enough to not scratch the glass surface of your bong.

But unlike the previous item, this one requires some shaking. For best results, add a dash of isopropyl alcohol, then shake away.

Tube Tops

Tube Tops are there to make cleaning your bong’s hard-to-reach areas easier. Simply fill your device with your cleaning solution of choice, and use the tube tops to cover the bong's openings and ensure that each crevice gets its due cleaning.

Cleaning a Bong Isn’t As Difficult as You May Think

Cleaning a bong is a necessary chore, and there’s no getting past it. The cleaning process itself requires a few simple steps that won't eat up too much of your time. Think of it as a maintenance procedure to ensure not only an optimal bong-smoking experience, but also a more hygienic one!