If you are an avid cannabis smoker, you can agree that nothing gives smoother and cooler hits than a bong. You can also agree that bong cleaning isn’t the most favorite thing to do and can sometimes feel like such a chore. However, taking care of your bong is a necessary chore if are to continue enjoying your bong. Resin build-up that happens over time can affect the flavor of your cannabis smoke. In addition, a dirty bong can be a breeding ground for bacteria and mildew, which can be a danger to your health when inhaled. Moreover, you don’t want to be the person who is known for gross and dirty bongs. Give your bong some tender love and care to protect your social image.
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Tips and tricks for effective bong maintenance
While caring for a bong might feel like something you would skip, it might surprise you how much of an easy task it is. Below are some pointers and easy techniques to get you started in caring for your smoking accessory:
Choose the right bong
Like it is in most things, the fundamental step in easy maintenance is choosing something that is easy to maintain. In the case of a bong, that would mean one that is easy to clean and resistant to stains. While bong designs are good for aesthetics, you might want to stay away from complicated designs that might make cleaning a headache. Similarly, you might want to opt for glass and plastic and keep off metal bongs if you want an easy-to-clean material.
In addition, go for a bong that is made of durable materials. You want a bong that is highly resistant to heat such as borosilicate glass so you don’t have to worry about breaking or cracking when heating your bong. And the key to durable pipes and bongs lies in buying from reputable sellers. Reputable bong dealers can guarantee durable and defect-free purchases and even offer a warranty period in case they encounter a problem.
Clean it regularly
After buying the right bong, the next effective way to maintain your bong in good quality is to clean it on a regular basis. Ideally, you should aim to clean your bong once every week. Moreover, if you notice a ring forming around the waterline or you spot residues floating when you fill your bong with water, it is a telltale sign that it is time to give it a wash. What’s the right way to clean your bong?
- Disassemble the parts – Remove the removable parts such as the downstream and mouthpiece
- Pour out the water in the bowl – Avoid pouring in the sink as the residue can easily stick to the sides of the sink. The best way is to pour it in a zip-top bag and dispose in the trash or just pour it outside
- Pour cleaning substance into the bong – Isopropyl alcohol and coarse salts such as rock or Epsom salt work best for glass bongs. If you have a latex, acrylic, or plastic bong, avoid using alcohol for cleaning as it might harm the material. Use hot water and scrub with a straw brush. Similarly, mild dish wash soap and water are what you need for a silicone bong. You can also find cleaning solutions specifically made for bong cleaning.
- Shake the bong carefully – Use your palm to cover the top and shake carefully. If the bong is too dirty, let the mixture stay in the bowl for about 30 minutes.
- Rinse your bong – You can use warm water and dish soap to clean the cleaning solution from the bong. If you notice any spots that shaking didn’t clean, you can get them in with a straw or pipe brush and scrub them off. Then rinse with warm water and leave it to dry.
Rinse after every use
Cleaning a bong can be quite a task, but making sure that you rinse it well after every use can go a long way in making the cleaning process easier. Rinsing after use or once daily ensures that the water doesn’t sit in the bong for long. You are unlikely to see a ring forming or any mold stains in your bong if you make this a habit. Moreover, it makes your weekly cleaning a breeze.
Use filtered water
Unfiltered tap water comes with a high mineral content that is deposited on the sides of the bong. Unfortunately, the deposits form water stains that can be a pain to get rid of. The solution is to avoid them entirely by using filtered water in your bong at all times. In addition, use filtered water to clean your bong whenever possible. In case you use unfiltered water in the cleaning process, ensure that you rinse in filtered water to keep stains away.
Use a bong case and pad
Keeping your bong in top shape goes beyond just cleaning and keeping stains at bay. It also involves protecting it from scratches and breakage. And this boils down to how you handle your bong. When using your bong, putting a bong pad underneath ensures that the bottom of the bong doesn’t scratch. Likewise, a padded bong case to keep it secure from scratches and bumps comes in handy if you have to take your bong with you. However, ensure that the bag is the right fit for your bong to hold it in place. In addition, when your bong isn’t in use, store it in a place where it is safe from falls and scratches. This can mean keeping it away from children or pets. If not using it for an extended period of time, detach the removable parts and keep them separately.
Conclusion
Maintaining your bong is one of the most important cannabis etiquette issues that you shouldn’t take lightly. Besides enhancing its longevity, it is key to enjoying cooler hits and taking care of your health. Make sure to select a bong that is easy to clean and maintain. Then follow the above process to deep clean your bong every week. In addition, be mindful of the water that you use, sticking to filtered water only. Most importantly, handle your bong with care during use, on the go, and when storing it.
