The Beginner’s Guide to Cleaning & Caring for Your Cannabis Accessories

Whether you’re a daily toker or an occasional sesh lover, keeping your smoking accessories clean is one of the most important (and often ignored) parts of the ritual. Not only does a clean bong or pipe taste better and hit smoother, it also lasts longer and keeps you healthier!

If you’ve ever wondered how often to clean your glass, what that weird yellow tint is, or how to make your piece smell less like a swamp, this beginner bong cleaning guide is for you.

💨 1. How often should I clean my bong or pipe?

The short answer? More often than you think.

Ideally, you should rinse your glass with hot water after each use and give it a deep clean every 1-2 days if you’re using it regularly. Dirty water and resin buildup can harbor bacteria, ruin the taste of your flower, and just look (and smell) rough. If you're a weekend smoker, aim to clean it after each session or once a week.

If you need a weekly reminder I post weekly cleaning reminders on my Instagram page every Sunday to remind you to clean your glass!

🧂 2. What’s the best way to clean your glass?

The go-to method is simple and effective:

Isopropyl alcohol (91% or higher)

Coarse salt

Optional: A resealable bag (for small parts)

Pipe-cleaners, brushes.

Fill your piece with the alcohol and salt, cover the openings, and shake vigorously. For bowls and downstems, toss them in a ziplock with the same mix and shake it like a snow globe. For harder to reach cleans grab pipe cleaners or some brushes to scrub in those hard to reach spots. Rinse thoroughly with hot water and let air dry.

Pro tip: If you're dealing with extra grime, soak your piece for a few hours before shaking.

💀 3. Is dirty bong water bad for you?

In short: Yes. Dirty bong water isn't just gross, it's potentially harmful. It can contain mold, bacteria, and tar, which you're inhaling when you take a hit. No one wants to be inhailing that stuff so if the water is discolored, smells weird, or has bits floating in it, it’s time to swap it out.

Clean water = cleaner lungs and a better sesh.

💛 4. Why is my piece turning yellow or brown?

That discoloration is from resin and tar buildup. It happens naturally over time, especially if you go too long between cleanings. The more often you clean your glass, the easier it is to avoid that permanent staining or weird film.

If your piece is yellowing try giving it another clean and let it sit in the iso or you might need to go with something stronger. You can grab a cleaner from your local accessories shop or try something all natural but strong like Momma Jane's Cleaner

👃 5. My piece still smells after cleaning — what now?

If your piece still smells funky after a full clean, try:

Soaking it longer (overnight works wonders)

Adding lemon juice or white vinegar to the rinse

Letting it fully air dry in a well-ventilated area

Or you may need a stronger cleaner to get that deep seated resin out. You can grab something from your local glass shops or if your looking for a all natural cleaning option we recommend you try Momma Jane's Cleaner

You can also add mint leaves or citrus slices to your bong water next time for a fun and naturally fresh vibe.

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🛠️ Bonus Tips: Don’t Forget Your Grinder + Tray

A few other accessories we sometimes forget to include in our cleaning but should really get a regular clean too!

Grinder:

Use a small brush or toothpick to remove stuck herb or built up hash from the teeth and kief chamber. You can soak metal grinders in isopropyl alcohol, rinse thoroughly, and air dry.

Rolling Tray:

Wipe with a damp cloth and mild soap. If yours is hand-painted or custom moonstoned piece, avoid soaking it. Spot clean and dry it right away to preserve the tray.

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✨ Final Thoughts

Caring for your smoking tools isn’t just about aesthetics, it's about your health and about elevating your whole experience. Clean glass hits better. Clean tools last longer. And your lungs? They’ll thank you for it.

Bookmark this guide, save it for your next Sunday cleaning sesh, and feel free to reach out if you have more questions — I’m always happy to help keep your high-vibe tools in tip-top shape.