The complete guide to cleaning your cannabis bongs, pipes, dab rigs and vaporizers

There’s nothing worse than doing a gentle rip only to be greeted by the taste of resin and dust. Unkempt herbal gear will not only stain even the highest levels of flowers, it will also spoil your home and clothes. Avoid hard knocks and bad smells by sticking to the habit of cleaning all of your favorite items.

Keeping your smoking accessories clean is an essential step in a skilled stoner’s routine. Some smokers choose to rinse the rig out after each session, while others commit to a thorough cleaning from time to time. Whichever method you choose, cleaning your accessories involves a few important tools and steps. Consider this complete guide to cleaning your cannabis equipment.

How to clean a dab rig

Wax concentrates build up quickly in the complicated percolators of a dab rig. There are a few things you can use to loosen up the herbal glue. First, bring water to a boil and let it cool for a few minutes before adding to the piece. Cover the nail space and mouthpiece with a paper towel or plastic wrap and shake for a few minutes. Once the resin is dissolved, pour out the solution and wipe it clean.

If your rig calls for a more powerful method, replace the hot water with isopropyl alcohol at room temperature. Add a little salt to remove stubborn wax and shake it until the rig is cleaned. By cleaning your piece regularly, you can keep hand-blown rigs like those from MJ Arsenal looking like new.

How to clean vape pens

Pieces of glass are best combined with liquid solutions and salt, but you should take a different approach to cleaning when handling a vape pen. Instead, arm yourself with a reliable paintbrush and work on the spots where dirt builds up. Break the pen down into as many pieces as you can and focus on dusting each one thoroughly. For demanding areas, dip a cotton swab in acetone and rub it gently over it.

If you don’t implement cleaning rituals in your rotation, your vaporizer will work harder (not smarter) during your daily smoking sessions. In the worst case scenario, a neglected vape pen increases your risk of inhaling harmful bacteria and sabotaging your high.

How do I clean a pipe?

If you’re a regular cannabis circle, give your toking tool some much-needed TLC. First select your cleaning solution of your choice or make your own mixture of rubbing alcohol, table salt and washing-up liquid. Once this step is complete, fill a reusable plastic bag with this solution as this container allows for complete immersion of the tubes. If this pipe-friendly soaking bath pops your cleansing ritual bubble, try alternative methods.

Instead of a saline solution made from Epsom salts and rubbing alcohol, get creative and opt for a salt-vinegar solution, a bubbly baking powder-vinegar combination or the dynamic duo of sand and water. For best results, freeze your piece of glass first to allow the resin to harden.

If a baking soda and vinegar bath proves to be a failure, stick with the tried and true: boiling water. Once your water has reached boiling point, let the piece soak for about 30 minutes before removing the bath. After a quick towel drying, your pipe is ready for your next session.

But how often should you bathe your glass pipe? Surprisingly, experts recommend that bulk consumers clean their pipes every day or two. If regular salt and alcohol baths don’t fit into your tight schedule, cotton swabs are a must. Otherwise, germs stick to the stem and a slimy biofilm can develop, which increases the risk of infection.

How do you clean a bong?

Similar to cleaning a pipe, isopropyl alcohol is a must when cleaning a bong. To set harmful bacteria on fire, make a mixture of alcohol that is diluted with hot water. Then pour the solution into the popular bong of your choice. For flawless results, be sure to shake up the stain-resistant mixture. To do this, ball up a crumpled paper towel to seal the headpiece and mouthpiece. If your DIY fix results in below-average and spill-prone cleaning, invest in rubber caps for your bong. This way, you can mix up your cannabis equipment maintenance routine – without turning your bathroom or kitchen into a makeshift bulkhead.

Note that in a pinch, vinegar and coarse salt are viable substitutes for rubbing alcohol. Whichever solution you choose before smoking, you should clean your bong at least once a week. Bong cleaning, however, welcomes a more cheerful approach. If you can’t go through a day without a reliable bong rip, you should clean your bong once a day.

Why? For one, you will feel the effect of the flower faster and the hit will be worlds smoother. Your clog-free bong not only increases your high, it also helps you conserve weed – music to the ears of the seasoned smoker.

Use household items

Forego the expensive cleaning solutions and use the goods lying around in your bathroom cabinet. Isopropyl alcohol is of course a proven cleaning solution for glass. Combine the liquid with salt and leave it in your bar overnight for best results. To fight stubborn water stains both inside and out, white vinegar is a strong opponent. As for the tools, you’d be surprised how efficiently cotton swabs and the average toothbrush remove accumulated resin. Gently twist them on stems and percolators to remove hard-to-reach stains.

Don’t forget accessories

Be sure to pay close attention to cleaning up heavily used herbal accessories. Keep your trusty grinder in tip-top shape by disassembling each piece and submerging it in boiling water. After a few minutes, remove from heat and let rest for about thirty minutes. Once the grinder is dry, scrub it with a toothbrush and let it dry. Don’t forget your smoker’s bag, which can quickly become cluttered with herb crumbs and dead lighters. Every few months, go through your kit and reorganize the essentials.

Green and clean

Make the most of your smoking session by maintaining a well-groomed cannabis kit. Fortunately, cleaning your favorite items is easy with the right cleaning tools and solutions.

CLEANING YOUR EQUIPMENT, READ MORE …

CLEANING YOUR CANNABIS EQUIPMENT, READ THESE TIPS!

OR..

BIOFILM – WHY YOU ALWAYS HAVE TO CLEAN YOUR BONG!