What You’ll Need
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70% or higher Isopropyl Alcohol (Rubbing Alcohol)
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Cooking Salt or Epsom Salt
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Paper Towels
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Ziplock Baggies
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Rubber Bands (Optional)
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Pipe Cleaners (Optional)
Step 1
Take your setup apart. Put your downstem, bowl, and ashcatchers into their own zip-lock bags. If you own one of those heavy thick bongs with extra glass features, keep the parts separate so nothing bangs together while you work.
Step 2
Run some hot water through the main piece and your glass slides. This is a vital part of how to clean a glass bong properly because the heat starts to melt the sticky resin. This makes the salt and alcohol scrub much more effective later.
Step 3
Add salt into the base of the piece and into your bags. For standard glass bongs, about half a cup should do. Whether you are working with mini bongs or big & tall bongs, do not be afraid to use a lot of salt. It acts as a scrub brush that won't scratch the glass. Just make sure the salt isn't filling more than a quarter of the chamber.
Step 4
Pour in your alcohol. Higher percentages work faster to break down the grime. Fill the base about halfway. You need some air in there so the salt can move around when you shake it. You can plug the holes with paper towels or specialized caps. If the mess of DIY cleaning is getting old, you might want to look into silicone bongs for easier maintenance or buy a dedicated bong cleaner that does the heavy lifting for you.
Step 5
Now for the workout. Shake the piece in circles and move it up and down. Be firm but careful. You do not want to be the person who drops one of their cool bongs because they were shaking too hard. If you have percolator bongs with tight spots where resin stays stuck, use a pipe cleaner soaked in alcohol to reach those areas.
Step 6
Once the glass looks new, take out the plugs and rinse everything well with cold water. Make sure all the alcohol smell and salt grit are gone. Dry every piece completely before you put it back together.
Step 7
Now that your glass is clear, use your metal grinders to prep your herb. Your first hit will be as smooth and fresh as the day you first unboxed your piece.
