Pipes are among the oldest and most popular methods of smoking around the globe, and they’re a top choice for weed smoking.
However, when you’re using a pipe or any other device for smoking, it’s important that you know how to clean it properly. If a pipe is used often and not cleaned frequently, there will be a build-up of residue that can clog the pipe and make the smoke taste worse. So you should clean your pipe often. To do this, follow the step-by-step tutorial below.
First, you’ll need the following materials:
- A sealable plastic bag or container
- A paperclip or pipe cleaner
- Dish soap
- Isopropyl alcohol (99 percent)
- Table or Epsom salt
Step 1:
Place the pipe carefully into the sealable bag or container and fill it with isopropyl alcohol (or hydrogen peroxide) until the pipe is fully submerged.
Step 2:
Add a teaspoon of table or Epsom salt to the bag or container. The salt will act as a scrubber cleaning resin out of places in the pipe that a sponge or brush would be unable to reach. Work the salt around the pipe as much as you can to ensure that you are getting a deep clean.
Coarse sea salt is often used to clean bongs or other water pipes, but table or Epsom salt is enough to adequately clean a glass pipe. That said, a glass pipe that is very dirty and contains hardened resin may also require coarse sea salt.
Step 3:
Let the pipe soak in the bag or container for 12 hours. This will allow enough time for the liquid to dissolve the resin thoroughly.
Step 4:
Vigorously shake the bag to help loosen up the residual resin. If you’ve used a container, avoid this step, as it may break the pipe.
Step 5:
Once the pipe has soaked for 12 hours and been shaken, remove it from the bag or container and rinse it off with hot water and dish soap. If there’s resin that’s still not coming off of the pipe, attempt to remove it with a paperclip or a pipe cleaner. (Be careful not to damage your pipe while doing so. To avoid damage, you may also use a cotton swab. Then wash the pipe again in hot water.)
Step 6:
Finally, allow time for the pipe to dry out before you use it again. If the pipe is not fully clean by this point, repeat the steps above before allowing it to dry. Make sure to use fresh salt, because the salt used previously will be mostly dissolved by this point.
When pipes are properly cared for, they can last a long time. If they are cleaned frequently after use, they will likely function well and provide an enjoyable smoke for years.
