If you’re a smoker, you know the importance of keeping your pipe clean. Not only is it a good habit to maintain, but it can also help you avoid lungs infections and other problems associated with dirty glass pieces. Using a dirty pipe can lead to tar buildup and resin buildup, which can also contain mold or harvest bacteria growth.
Fortunately, cleaning a glass pipe can be an easy process if you know what to do. All you need is a little bit of time, some alcohol and salt, and a plastic baggie.
First, you’ll want to remove as much of the residue as possible with cotton swabs or toothpicks. This will allow the resin to be removed more easily.
Next, fill your pipe with a mixture of isopropyl alcohol and salt. This will work to break down the resin, and you can even add a few drops of water if the alcohol hasn’t worked enough yet.
Once your pipe has soaked, you can shake it vigorously to loosen the remaining resin. This may take a couple minutes, depending on how stubborn the resin is, but it’s worth it for a clean, smooth, and shiny piece.
Another great way to remove the remaining resin is by boiling it for 20-30 minutes. This can help remove surface stains and will make the resin easier to dislodge.
You can also try freezing your pipe and removing the hardened resin with a small tool like a toothpick. This method is a little more tedious, but it can work well if you don’t have the time to wait for your pipe to thaw before you attempt to clean it again.
Finally, if your pipe is extremely dirty, you can use a mixture of vinegar and baking soda to clean it. This will help break down the resin and make it easier to scrub away with a brush or sponge.
If you’re having trouble getting the vinegar to dissolve, you can add a few drops of hot water to it to loosen the gunk that won’t dislodge. It’s not a great idea to boil your pipes too long because this can damage them.
This is especially true if you’re using a borosilicate glass pipe. This type of glass is brittle, which means it’s more likely to crack if you don’t heat it long enough.
Once your pipe is soaking, you can take it out of the solution and use a soft toothbrush or sponge to scrub off the residue. If the residue is particularly hard, you can re-soak it in the solution again, and repeat the process until the pipe is free of any residue.
This is an old school, but effective way to get rid of the sticky buildup in your pipe. It can be a little messy, but it’s worth it for pristine glass that will provide you with a delicious smoke each and every time. Just be sure to clean it after each session or it will build up again quickly.
