Whether you’re a regular smoker, a collector of rare bongs, or a casual cannabis user, cleaning your bong properly is extremely important. Skunky, gross bongs may be a stoner stereotype, but they are also one of the fastest ways to ruin your health, your aesthetic, and the quality of your smoke.
This article will teach you the best way to clean a bong and compare the best bong cleaning solutions on the market.
Bong Care Basics
Good bong hygiene is a must for any bong user, as a dirty bong provides the perfect breeding ground for bacteria, fungi, and microbes. Together, these create a slime called ‘biofilm’, which can cause yeast infections, ear infections, gingivitis, Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs), and a host of other illnesses.
To keep yourself safe, always change your bong water after a smoke, and clean your bong at least every 2 – 3 uses.
How to clean a bong
Cleaning a bong might seem like a hassle, but it’s easier than you may think. All you need is a bong cleaning solution, isopropyl alcohol, some hot water, a fresh dishcloth, and a few minutes of effort. Here’s how to clean a bong.
Step 1. Disassemble your bong
The best way to clean a bong is to wash each component separately, as this will allow you to scrub the inside of each piece thoroughly. Start your cleaning process by detaching any removable parts, including mouthpieces, stems, bangers, and herb bowls. Take these pieces, rinse them under hot water, and soak them in bong cleaner.
Step 2. Clean inside the bong
Rinse your bong underwater and add bong cleaner. Leave to soak, then shake the bong with the solution inside. Empty the bong and rinse under hot water.
Step 3. Scrub
Next, scrub inside your bong with a fresh dishcloth. Take a chopstick, push the dishcloth inside the bong, and scrub. Rinse under hot water.
Step 3. Sanitize
Finally, apply a sanitizer (like isopropyl alcohol) to your bong. Shake your bong, then rinse the mixture out.
Best Bong Cleaning Solutions
In this section, we’ve picked out four of the best bong cleaning solutions available today.
Best Bong Cleaning Solution #1. Formula 420’s Pipe Cleaner
Price Range: $24.95 for a three-pack
Brand: Formula 420
Size: 10 OZ
Formula 420’s Pipe Cleaner is a hassle-free choice at an affordable price, making it the best bong cleaning solution on Amazon. It’s perfect for any bong – whether it’s mostly clean or worryingly grimy. The solution also works in under a minute, meaning you won’t need to soak your bong for long periods. Formula 420’s solution is made with biodegradable chemicals within the USA.
Pros:
- Works in 60 seconds or less
- Made with biodegradable materials
- Manufactured locally
- Affordable
Cons:
- Not suitable for bongs with plastic parts
- Only available in multi-packs.
Best Bong Cleaning Solution #2. Canna Off’s Glass Pipe Cleaner
Price Range: $16.99
Brand: Canna Off
Size: 16 OZ
Canna Off’s Glass Pipe Cleaner is the second-best bong cleaning solution, as it’s environmentally friendly, fast-acting, and highly effective. This solution uses no toxic chemicals or alcohol – making it great for people with sensitive noses. Canna Off’s solution is even manufactured within the USA and comes with a metal pipe cleaning brush.
Pros:
- Environmentally-friendly and non-toxic
- Sold with a metal cleaning brush
- Manufactured locally
- Alcohol-free
Cons:
- Suited for regularly cleaned bongs
- Requires soaking
- More expensive than competing products
Best Bong Cleaning Solution #3. Randy’s Black Label Smokeware Cleaner
Price: $9.60
Brand: Randy’s
Size: 12 OZ
Randy’s Black Label Smokeware is a great goo-based glass cleaning product. It’s thick, strong, and perfect for bongs and tobacco pipes made of glass, metal, or ceramic. It’s also unscented, which is always a win for sensitive noses.
Pros:
- Unscented
- Thick mixture
- Includes grit-agent and salt
- Strong on grime and oil-based resins
Cons:
- Will destroy plastic
- Not biodegradable
- Takes 10 – 15 minutes to work
Best Bong Cleaning Solution #4. Formula 409’s Instant Cleaner
Price: $19.95 for a two-pack
Brand: Formula 409
Size: 12 OZ
Formula 409’s Instant Cleaner is similar in quality to Formula 420’s Pipe Cleaner, albeit slightly more expensive. It’s strong, effective, and will leave your bong sparkling. Unlike many other bong cleaning solutions, it uses a grit agent to scrub the inside of your bong.
Pros:
- Strong
- Suitable for glass, metal, ceramic, and pyrex bongs
- Uses grit-agent
Cons:
- Light lemon scent
- Only available in two-pack
- Expensive
Frequently Asked Questions
How to clean a bowl or bong?
The best way to clean a bong or bowl is to remove all detachable pieces, rinse the bong out, and apply a bong cleaning solution. Then, pour the solution into the sink, apply isopropyl alcohol and rinse the bong under hot water.
What’s the best bong cleaning solution?
The best bong cleaning solution is Formula 420’s Pipe Cleaner, as it is non-toxic, made with biodegradable materials, and cleans bongs in a minute or less. The second best bong cleaning solution is Canna Off’s Glass Pipe Cleaner.
What’s the cheapest bong cleaning solution?
The cheapest bong cleaning solution is Formula 420’s Pipe Cleaner, which costs $0.69 per ounce when sold in a 3-pack. The cheapest single bottle is Randy’s Smokeware Cleaner, at $9.60 for a 12-ounce bottle.
How do you clean bong pipes?
To clean bong pipes, remove any detachable pipes and rinse them under hot water. Then, apply a bong cleaning solution and use a chopstick to scrub the inside of the pipes with a dishcloth. Rinse under hot water.
Final Thoughts: Best Way to Clean a Bong
As biofilm-filled bongs can be harmful to your health, cleaning your bong properly is extremely important. Thankfully, there are many great bong cleaning solutions that can help.
Although the right cleaner for you will depend on your smell, price, and product preferences, the best cleaners can kill bacteria, sanitize your bong, and are compatible with the material your bong is made from.
