How to Properly Clean a Silicone Bong

How to Properly Clean a Silicone Bong

If you’re the proud owner of a silicone bong, then you know the unique advantages that this material has over the more traditional glass. Silicone bongs are extraordinarily durable, not to mention flexible and resilient to the heat which the bong is exposed to each time you fire a hit. Further, silicone bongs have a reputation for being easier to clean than glass models, making them far easier to maintain while ensuring that you continue to enjoy each hit just as you did when you first purchased it.
And, speaking of cleaning, it is crucial that any silicone bong owner understands how to thoroughly clean their piece so that it can continue to satisfy them with rich flavor and smooth airflow.

Why You Should Clean Your Silicone Bong Regularly

Sadly, there are many people who do not quite appreciate the importance of maintaining a solid  cleaning routine, and therefore end up with disappointing sessions time and time again. Let’s now explain the various ways in which cleaning your bong regularly can improve your hobby.

#1: Improves Airflow

Each time you fire a hit, small amounts of debris from the ash and resin accumulate along the inner walls of the bong. Over time, this debris accumulates to the point of interfering with airflow, meaning that you may end up getting less smoke per hit, and find yourself struggling to enjoy smooth pulls of thick smoke. Cleaning this debris is the way to keep the airflow channels clear so that the smoke flows as it should.

#2: Improves Flavor

That debris does not just have a negative impact on airflow. It also interferes with flavor, as the smoke carries trace amounts of the debris that contribute to a stale or burnt taste. Cleaning away this debris, therefore, can have a dramatic impact on the flavor of your smoke.

#3: Your Bong Will Look Better

Of course, cleaning your bong improves its  appearance. A dirty bong is an unpleasant thing to look at, especially if you like to display your piece with pride.

How Often Should You Clean a Silicone Bong?

The big question we get asked a lot is, how often should a person clean their silicone bong? Well, that largely depends on how often you use it. But keep in mind that even if you hit it once a month, you should be cleaning it regularly, because it can collect dust that gets into the airflow channels and  bowl, and no one wants to inhale that.
Ideally, if you’re a regular bong user, you will want to clean the bong once a week, never going longer than two weeks without a good cleaning session.

What Not to Do When Cleaning a Silicone Bong

Before we talk about the proper steps to cleaning a silicone bong, let’s quickly touch upon the things you shouldn’t do.

There are certain types of cleaning ingredients that you should never use, because they can be toxic when inhaled, and trace amounts will almost inevitably end up inside the bong, putting you at risk of absorbing them into the body. Examples are bleach and hydrogen peroxide, as well as many of the typical cleaning products you have lying around in your home, like Windex and countertop cleaner.

Also, avoid using a scrubbing product that’s too abrasive, like steel wool. This will scratch up the bong, damaging its structural integrity while creating a surface in which debris can easily get stuck. One of the beautiful things about a silicone bong is the fact that the surface is smooth and nonporous, making it easy to remove debris. One you scratch that surface, you create an environment that can trap ash and resin, which eventually interferes with the quality of your sessions.

How to Clean a Silicone Bong

The two methods below have both been proven to do an exceptional job at cleaning a bong without damaging it in any way.

Method #1: The Dishwasher Method

Silicone is dishwasher-safe, which is one of its many advantages. Therefore, one easy cleaning method is to simply take the entire bong apart and put each individual piece onto the rack of your dishwasher. We recommend using the top rack if you have one, to avoid pieces slipping through the rack and making contact with the hot base of the dishwasher. While silicone can handle high heat, direct exposure to the hot rods at the bottom of the dishwasher could warp its shape.

While the dishwasher method is a good one, it may not be the most effective way to clean it, as peskier debris spots can remain throughout the washing process.

Method #2: The Submerge Method

• 1.Use a basin, or even your bathtub, as a submersion station.
• 2.Fill it with warm water and grab Randy’s Green Label Soaker Solution Cleaner, which is a nontoxic cleaning solution that works great on silicone bongs.
• 3.Follow the instructions on the bottle to create the right ratio of water to cleaning solution, and simply allow the pieces to soak, submerged, overnight.
• 4.The next morning, grab a cleaning brush made for silicone to dislodge any debris that is still stuck to the bong; the solution will have loosened these bits up so that they can easily be brushed away.
• 5.Give the bong a solid rinse and reassemble.

Now, you’re back in business.

A Clean Silicone Bong is Better Working Bong

Silicone bongs are durable, resilient, and even uniquely attractive, and on top of that, they are easy to clean. Still, it is important to clean them regularly and thoroughly so that you can continue enjoying them. Fortunately, cleaning them is actually quite an easy process, especially when you use an effective cleaning solution that does the hard work for you.