How to clean a waterpipe? The process is rather simple, but it constitutes a very necessary habit if you want hits from your pipe to be as potent as possible without inhaling any unwanted gunk or dirt. Once you’ve gathered your cleaning supplies, disassemble your pipe and prepare a cleaning solution. Wipe both the main chamber and individual parts diligently to remove any resin, then rinse everything under running water. Finally, allow to dry, reassemble, and get back to smoking at your leisure. We dive deeper into more details below, so keep reading!
Why Is Maintaining a Clean Waterpipe Crucial
Let’s face it – when you light up, you’re chasing that pure, high-quality puff to inhale as much herbal goodness as possible for a nice and smooth high. But a dirty waterpipe with a thick coating of built-up residue gets in the way of that.
Simply put, regular maintenance of your waterpipe will ensure your marijuana doesn’t lose the bulk of its flavor. Also, you avoid inhaling potential nasty bacteria that can grow and reproduce in the leftover resin, which could negatively impact your health.
How to Clean a Waterpipe – Step-by-step Guide
Now that we’ve established why what we’re doing is important, let’s walk you through each individual step. First, though, gather these cleaning supplies in preparation:
- Coarse-ground salt
- Isopropyl alcohol
- Dish soap
- Warm water
- Large container for soaking
- Cotton swabs
- (Optionally) a thin pipe or bottle brush
Now, this is how you clean a waterpipe:
Disassemble Your Pipe Setup
First, you’ll want to separate each of your water pipe accessories from the main smoking chamber. Shake out and discard any leftover ash or loose resin. If anything won’t come off easily, don’t worry, we’ll take care of it in a second.
Prepare the Cleaning Solution
Mix water, isopropyl alcohol and coarse salt. Any sufficiently high concentration should do fine, but percentages above 90% will do better. Set aside enough of this solution to fill your pipe about halfway, plus a little extra for the accessories.
Pro tip: If you have an acrylic pipe, don’t use high-concentration alcohol, as it could irreparably damage your setup. Instead, opt for the salt and warm and soapy water solution only.
Clean the Pipe
After pouring in the mix, cover the top of the pipe with your hand and shake vigorously for 90 seconds or so. The coarse salt should help dislodge any resin stuck to the sides, while the alcohol helps kill off bacterial growth.
Scrub Each Part Until Clean
Going back to your bong accessories, use a sponge and some dish soap to give them a thorough cleaning. Use the same coarse salt to dislodge any resin if any is stuck there, too. And, if you find it difficult to access the dirty bits, consider using a thin wire bottle brush to clean the deepest recesses and hard-to-reach areas.
Soak in Hot, Soapy Water
After all is said and done, soak each element in warm water with some dish soap distilled and foamed up inside the container. This will help loosen anything else that the shaking and scrubbing didn’t.
Rinse and Allow to Dry
Rinse your water pipe under running water, then allow to dry. Afterward, your pipe should be squeaky clean and ready to roll once again.
The Takeaway
Now you know precisely how to clean a waterpipe. Take this knowledge and apply it wisely to guarantee longevity for your equipment, as well as cleaner, healthier smoking sensations for yourself.
You may also read: A Complete Guide on How to Clean Your Weed Grinder
