Does your pipe smell funky, taste weird, or just look nasty? Are you wondering how to clean your ceramic pipes and bowls? We're here to help!
How to Clean Ceramic Pipes & Bowls
Staying on top of your pipe and bowl cleanings is not only a better experience when smoking, but is also good for you and your lung health! Watch the above video and read below about how to clean your ceramic pipes and bong bowls (this method works on glass pipes and bong bowls, too).
Clean Pipes in 10 Steps
Supplies You'll Need:
- Dirty pipe or bong bowl
- Hot water
- Paper towel or rag
- Isopropyl alcohol
- Salt (nothing finer than table salt)*
- Pipe cleaner or Q-tip
*Anything finer than table salt runs the risk of quickly dissolving and therefore not acting as an abrasive. Table salt or coarser is preferred to act as an effective abrasive inside your pipe.
Optional:
- Gloves
- 420-friendly cleaning solution
- Pipe cleaning brushes
Step 1
Run hot water through your pipe or removable bong bowl.
Step 2
Take a paper towel or rag to wipe out the resin in the pipe or bong bowl. If you highly dislike the smell or feel of isopropyl alcohol, now is the time to put on gloves.
Step 3
Repeat ‘Step 2’ with isopropyl alcohol on the paper towel/rag.
Step 4
Plug proper hole(s) of your pipe or bowl—carb and mouthpiece or bottom of bong bowl—with your finger(s) and pour salt through the bowl hole and, if necessary, the mouthpiece.
Step 5
With proper holes still plugged, pour isopropyl alcohol (or 420-friendly cleaning solution) into the pipe or bong bowl.
Step 6
With ALL holes plugged, shake your pipe vigorously (and carefully) for about 30 seconds. Salt will act as an abrasive to scrape resin on the interior of your pipe or bong bowl and the alcohol will help break down resin and also kill bacteria.
Step 7
Pour out salt and alcohol solution into the sink.
Step 8
Repeat Step 4–7 until salt and alcohol solution runs clear (typically 2–3 times).
Step 9
Thoroughly rinse your pipe or bong bowl with warm/hot water until the alcohol smell goes away (about 1–2 minutes).
Step 10
Finish up the job by scrubbing the bowl hole and interior body with a pipe cleaner, Q-tip, or cleaning brush. Viola!
Now go forth, light up your favorite herb, and taste the difference your deep-clean made!
How Often Should You Clean Your Pipe or Bowl?
Regardless of glass or ceramic, we recommend deep cleaning your pipes or bong bowls once to twice a week for daily or every-other-day users. For light users we recommend deep cleaning once a week. It’s important to stay up-to-date with your cleanings to prevent clogging, poor taste, and health consequences. Dirty pipes don’t only taste and smell bad, but they attract bacteria, which can potentially cause lung infections. Nobody wants that, so clean that pipe!