How to clean a bong with alcohol

Use 91% isopropyl alcohol with coarse salt for a glass bong. Empty the water, add the alcohol and salt, shake the mix, let it sit on resin, scrub stuck spots, then rinse until the glass smells clean. This method works on borosilicate and standard glass. Do not use it on acrylic or plastic.

how to use a bong without a lighter

What you need

  • Glass bong with removable bowl and downstem
  • 91% isopropyl alcohol
  • Coarse salt, such as kosher or rock salt
  • Rubber stoppers or corks
  • Bottle brush or pipe brush
  • Nitrile gloves
  • Sealable glass or metal container for used alcohol
  • Clean towel

Steps

  1. Empty the bong water into a toilet or sink and discard loose ash.
  2. Remove the bowl, downstem, and any ash catcher from the bong.
  3. Rinse each glass part with hot tap water to loosen surface resin.
  4. Pour 1/2 cup of 91% isopropyl alcohol into the bong.
  5. Add 1 tablespoon of coarse salt to the alcohol.
  6. Plug the mouthpiece and any open joint with stoppers or corks.
  7. Shake the bong for 30 to 60 seconds so the salt scours the glass.
  8. Let the bong sit for 10 to 15 minutes for heavy resin.
  9. Scrub remaining resin with a bottle brush or pipe brush.
  10. Pour the used alcohol into a sealable glass or metal container.
  11. Rinse all parts with hot water until the water runs clear and no alcohol smell remains.
  12. Set the parts on a clean towel and let them air dry.

Tips for stuck resin

For a clogged downstem, soak it in a small jar of isopropyl alcohol for 20 minutes. Then scrub the inside with a pipe brush. For a bowl with baked-on resin, use a cotton swab dipped in alcohol and a pin to clear the screen hole. Do not scrape glass with metal tools that can chip the edge.

How to Make a Homemade Bong

Safety notes

  • Work near an open window or in a room with a fan.
  • Keep isopropyl alcohol away from flames, sparks, and hot glass.
  • Wear nitrile gloves to keep alcohol off your skin.
  • Do not drink the alcohol mix or reuse it for anything other than cleaning.
  • Store used alcohol in a labeled container and take it to a household hazardous waste site.