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How to Clean a Bong – Maintenance and Care for your Milkyway Piece

By milkywayglass / September 20, 2023 / Information / 7 min read

Need to Clean a Bong?

How to clean a bong? This a question that almost every smoker has asked themselves or another. For many cannabis enthusiasts, a bong is an essential tool in their smoking arsenal. Whether you’re a casual smoker or a dedicated connoisseur, a well-maintained bong can make all the difference in your smoking experience. Especially with Milkyway, proper care and maintenance not only keep your bong looking pristine but also ensure that all the visual detail is maintained and you can truly appreciate your own piece of smoking art.

Benefits of a Clean Bong

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of bong maintenance, let’s take a moment to understand why it’s crucial. Proper maintenance offers several benefits:

    • Enhanced Flavor: Resin buildup and residue can affect the taste of your smoke. In addition, regular cleaning ensures that you enjoy the full flavor profile of your chosen strain.
    • Smooth Hits: A clean bong with unobstructed pathways provides smoother and more enjoyable hits, reducing harshness and coughing.
    • Longevity: Taking care of your bong extends its lifespan, saving you money in the long run. Furthermore, clogged up components have a higher risk of breakage.
    • Aesthetics: Absolutely the most important part of a Milkyway piece! Keeping your bong clean and well-maintained maintains its appearance, making it a source of pride in your collection.

Now that you understand why bong maintenance is essential, let’s explore the steps to keep your bong in top shape.

Bio Grid 15 White and Red Frit Beaker Bong

Check out the detail on our Bio-Grid beaker, you definitely want to keep it clean so you can appreciate it!

How to clean a bong

What you need

    • Isopropyl alcohol (ideally 90% or higher) or an Earth friendly resin dissolver, they take longer to clean, but are more effective and eco-friendly
    • Pipe cleaners or brushes (Do not use a metal poker!)Empty your piece

Pour out any remaining water from your bong and give it a good rinse with warm water to remove loose debris.

1. Disassemble

If your bong has removable parts such as a bowl, downstem, or ash catcher, carefully remove them. This makes it easier to clean each component thoroughly. We design all of our components with a bit of wiggle room so they don’t get stuck.

2. Soak in Cleaner

Firstly, fill a plastic bag or container with your preferred cleaner. Next step, carefully place the bong components into the container, ensuring that they are fully submerged in the cleaning solution. Then, securely seal the bag or container and proceed to gently shake it, as this shaking action is essential for dislodging any resin and buildup that may have accumulated. In addition, a helpful tip to keep in mind is that it’s better to perform this cleaning process individually for each component, reducing the risk of components colliding with each other, potentially causing damage.

3. Scrub and Rinse

After soaking for about 30 minutes or however long your product recommends, remove the components and use pipe cleaners or brushes to scrub away any remaining residue. Rinse well.

4. Clean the Bong Base

To clean the bong base effectively, start by filling it with your chosen cleaner. Additionally, consider wearing gloves for added protection. Next, cover the openings securely with your hands or gloves, and proceed to gently shake the base in order to thoroughly clean its interior. After the shaking process, be sure to rinse the base diligently with warm water. You may find it necessary to repeat this rinsing step a couple of times to ensure that all residue is removed, particularly if your bong includes a perc. As a precaution, it’s vital to perform this cleaning task in an area free of any objects or persons to avoid accidents.

5. Dry and Reassemble

Wait for all components to dry before reassembly. Ensure that everything fits snugly and securely. We recommend for the outside of our products, just use soap and water, do not use any cleaners or resin dissolvers on the outside. 

Storing Your Bong

Proper storage is essential to prevent accidents and maintain your bong’s integrity.

Keep it Upright

Store your bong upright to prevent water from spilling and causing damage. A sturdy bong stand or a dedicated storage shelf is a good investment.

Use a Case or Bag

Consider investing in a padded bong case or bag if you need to transport or store it away from prying eyes. This protects your bong from dust, dirt, and accidental bumps.

Troubleshooting Common Bong Issues

Even with proper maintenance, you may encounter some common bong problems. Here’s how to address them:

Clogged Percolator

If you find that the percolator is clogged, fill the bong with your cleaner and shake gently to dislodge debris. However if the clog persists, use a pipe cleaner or brush to clear the percolator’s openings. Whereas components are easy to remove and clean, it should be noted that percolators are likely located in hard to reach areas, meaning that cleaning solutions are usually the easiest way to take care of it.

Stained Glass

You can remove stubborn resin stains on the glass can be removed with a mixture of baking soda and water. After mixing, create a paste and apply it to the stained area and scrub it with a soft, non-abraisve brush. Rinse thoroughly. Not every stain can be 100% eliminated, however a well-used piece has it’s own sort of beauty to it, similar to the Japanese concept of wabi-sabi.

Unpleasant Odors

In order to remove lingering odors, fill the bong with a mixture of warm water and a few drops of lemon juice or vinegar. Let it sit for a few hours, then rinse thoroughly.

Cloudy Glass

Cloudy glass is different from stained as it’s mostly due to the mineral content of the water that you put in your piece. As with odors, it’s best to use lemon juice or vinegar. Isn’t natural the best?

Chipped or Cracked Glass

If you notice chips or cracks in your bong, stop using it immediately to prevent further damage or personal injury. If it’s a new product that’s just arrived, please contact us!

Residue Buildup

We recommend cleaning your piece after every use. By doing so, it ensures that resin doesn’t get a chance to build up and your piece is always ready to use. Furthermore, if you leave it out, mold and bacteria can develop, potentially ruining your next smoke.

A common issue we’ve seen is that residue builds up on the inside of the bowl. You must use a cleaner or a soft brush, using anything hard such as a metal poker or a screwdriver has a risk of damaging the bowl.

Stuck Components

So your downstem is stuck? Or maybe an ashcatcher. The first step would be to try a slow and gentle wiggle. If that doesn’t work, try soaking the entire piece in solution or boiling water, and making sure that it makes it’s way up the inside of the stuck area. Another option would be to slide dish soap into the joint itself, and allowing it to get into the seams. The last option would be to slowly heat the outside of the joint, expanding the joint by heat and therefore loosening the component.

Due to our handmade processes, there is some variation in tolerance between products and components. The best way to avoid stuck components is to keep the residue buildup, and clean your piece after every use!

Keeping this beautiful Space Odysser in Color Downstem clean is the easiest way to ensure it doesn’t break.

Enjoy your clean piece!

A well maintained piece is going to provide you with long term performance and will maximize your purchase. In addition, a clean piece is going to lower ther isk of damage for components such as bowls, downstems and ash catchers. Maintaining your bong is essential for a smooth, flavorful, and enjoyable smoking experience. In the case that you do break something, you can find a replacement at our shop!

Now if somebody asks you how to clean a bong, now you know!