How to Clean Your Water Pipe: The Sea Salt & Isopropyl Alcohol Method

Published on June 5, 2017 at 4:50 PM
Cleaning a glass bong using the isopropyl alcohol and sea salt method to remove resin buildup

Resin buildup isn't just an eyesore; it ruins the flavor profile of your legal herbs and concentrates. While cleaning your glass might seem like a chore, this tried-and-true method will get your rig looking brand new in under 10 minutes.

What You’ll Need

  • Coarse Sea Salt: The salt acts as a scrubber to break up stuck-on resin. (Baking soda is a decent backup, but salt is the gold standard).

  • Isopropyl Alcohol: The higher the percentage (90%+ is best), the faster it will cut through the grime.

  • Large Ziploc Bags: Essential for your smaller, removable parts.

Step-by-Step: The Squeaky Clean Guide

  1. Prep: Empty any old water and disassemble your piece. Remove the downstem, bowl, keck clips, and any other removable attachments.

  2. Rinse: Give everything a quick rinse with warm water to remove loose debris.

  3. Salt it Up: Add a generous amount of coarse sea salt into the base of your bong. Place your smaller parts into a Ziploc bag with a separate scoop of salt.

  4. Add the Alcohol: Pour enough isopropyl alcohol into the base of the bong and the Ziploc bag to coat the resin.

  5. The Agitation Phase: Carefully mix the salt and alcohol inside the glass and the bag. The salt needs to be in contact with the resin to "scrub" it away.

  6. The Soak: Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes. If your piece is heavily soiled, you can let it sit longer.

  7. Final Agitation: After soaking, give it another good shake to loosen any remaining stubborn spots.

  8. Rinse & Reassemble: Pour out the solution and rinse thoroughly with warm water until the smell of alcohol is completely gone. Reassemble and enjoy!

Frequent cleaning is the secret to a great-tasting experience. But if you’re finding that the maintenance of glass is getting in the way of your enjoyment, why not try a cleaner, hardware-free method? Our Stoner Strategies Cannabis & Psychedelic Cookbook Series by Ava Tyler teaches you how to create potent, high-quality edibles that require zero cleaning and zero combustion.

Add comment

Comments

There are no comments yet.