The Best Ways to Clean Your Glass Bowl & Weed Pipe

PDF download Download Article
Remove residue safely from your pipe with our ultimate guide
PDF download Download Article

When your glass weed pipe is starting to look caked with burnt residue, it’s time to give it a thorough cleaning. A clean smoking piece makes hits smoother and less harsh, so getting into the cleaning routine is great if you’re a regular smoker. Luckily, the fastest and most effective pipe cleaners are common household products you probably already own. Keep reading for tips on how to use rubbing alcohol and salt , boiling water , or other alternative cleaners to make your pipe look like new again!

The Fastest Way to Clean a Weed Pipe

Shake out any loose residue from your bowl, and gently scrub it with a pipe cleaner. Then, put the glass pipe in a resealable plastic bag with rubbing alcohol and a few spoonfuls of coarse salt. ​​Shake the bag for 2–3 minutes for a quick clean or let it soak for 12 hours. Afterwards, rinse your pipe off and scrub any remaining residue with a cotton swab or pipe cleaner.

Section 1 of 5:

How to Clean a Weed Pipe with Alcohol and Salt

PDF download Download Article
  1. Hold your pipe upside-down over a trash can and gently tap the bottom so any loose particles fall out. Then, gently scrape any stuck-on residue with a pipe cleaner , cotton swab, toothpick, or other small object.
    • It’s okay if there’s still some residue left in your bowl. Getting rid of the larger loose chunks just makes the cleaning solution work more effectively.
    • If you have stubborn residue, try heating your pipe up with a hairdryer to help loosen the resin and make it easier to clean out. [1]
  2. 99% rubbing alcohol is the fastest and most effective cleaner because it breaks down old, sticky resin, but any concentration will work well. Set your pipe in a resealable bag, and fill it up with enough alcohol to completely cover your pipe. [2]
    • If you don’t have alcohol on hand, hydrogen peroxide or white distilled vinegar works well as a replacement.
    • If you’re cleaning a bubbler pipe that has multiple pieces, take it apart and put each piece in a separate bag for cleaning.
    Advertisement
  3. Salt acts like an abrasive on your pipe to clean out buildup that’s hard to reach inside your pipe. Use coarse sea salt or Epsom salt because it will be better at scrubbing the inside of your pipe. Otherwise, table salt works fine if you’re in a rush. [3]
    • If you’re using vinegar, try adding baking soda instead of salt. It will still act as an abrasive, but it will also make a bubbling reaction that can help loosen residue in your pipe.
    • For additional cleaning power, add in a squirt of dish soap to cut through the sticky resin.
  4. Seal the bag, and gently shake it so some of the salt goes inside your pipe. Then, put your fingers over the openings and vigorously shake the bag for 2–3 minutes so the cleaning solution breaks apart the resin.
    • Hold onto your pipe firmly so it doesn’t slip out of your hands and break.
    • The liquid will quickly darken as the residue breaks apart. If the liquid is completely opaque after shaking it, empty out the contents and refill it with fresh alcohol and salt.
  5. If you still see buildup inside your pipe or want a really thorough cleaning, leave it inside the bag for about 12 hours. The next day, shake the bag to get rid of any buildup that’s still stuck on your glass pipe before dumping the cleaning solution out down the drain. [4]
  6. Hold your pipe underneath hot water from your faucet to clean out any resin and leftover solution. Keep running water through your pipe until it comes out clear and you can’t see any more loose residue. [5]
  7. Dip the end of your pipe cleaner or cotton swab in your rubbing alcohol and gently scrub away any leftover residue. Give your pipe one final rinse when you’re finished and let it dry completely before smoking with it again.
    • Insert the pipe cleaner or cotton swab inside your pipe to remove any loose residue that’s inside.
    • Alternatively, use a stiff-bristled toothbrush for a more thorough scrub.
    • If you still notice a lot of stubborn residue that doesn’t come off, soak your pipe for longer.
    8. Advertisement
Section 2 of 5:

Cleaning a Glass Pipe with Boiling Water

PDF download Download Article
  1. If there are still any large chunks inside your weed bowl, flip it upside-down over your trash can and tap it a few times with your hand. If the residue sticks inside the bowl, use a pipe cleaner or a toothpick to scrape it out.
    • Try rinsing your pipe with warm water to see if that helps break apart any of the leftover gunk in your bowl.
  2. Bring a small pot of water to a boil . Fill up the pot with enough water to completely submerge your pipe. Set the burner to high heat, and as soon as the water is boiling, remove it from the heat. [6]
    • Avoid putting your pipe into the pot while the water is boiling because the intense heat could crack or break the glass.
  3. Warm up the pipe in your hands or run it under warm water first. Then, set your pipe in the pot so it’s completely underwater. Leave your pipe in the water for about 30 minutes so the heat breaks apart all the residue inside. [7]
    • You can let your pipe soak for longer, but refill the pot with warmer water once it starts to cool down so the residue breaks apart more easily.
  4. Use a pair of tongs to take your pipe out of the pot, and hold onto it with an oven mitt. Insert a cotton swab or pipe cleaner into your glass pipe to wipe away any resin that’s still trapped inside of it. Then, let it dry completely before using it to smoke. [8]
    • Avoid rinsing your pipe under cold water since the quick temperature change could cause the glass to break.
    • If you still see residue inside your pipe, try soaking it again for another 20–30 minutes.
    5. Advertisement
Section 3 of 5:

Alternative Pipe Cleaning Solutions

PDF download Download Article
  1. Try denture cleaning tablets for a hands-off approach. Put your glass pipe inside a plastic container and fill it up with enough hot water to submerge it. Then, drop 2-3 denture tablets into the water and let your pipe soak for about 30 minutes. The tablets will dissolve and break apart residue on the surface. Then, scrub off any leftover residue with a pipe cleaner before rinsing the pipe with warm water. [9]
    • Denture tablets may also help get rid of surface stains on the glass.
  2. Use a dedicated pipe cleaning solution made for glass pipes. Read the instructions on the cleaning solution you use because they may vary between brands. Some will have you fill your pipe with the cleaner and shake it for 1–2 minutes to remove the residue. Others may have you soak your pipe in the solution for a few hours before rinsing it out. [10]
    • Avoid using other household cleaners, such as bleach, because they could leave a chemical taste inside your pipe when you smoke from it.
  3. Put your pipe in the freezer for 30 minutes or up to an hour so the residue hardens up. Then, quickly scrape at the resin with a toothpick or needle to break it apart. Try to remove as much of the resin as you can within a few minutes before it starts feeling gummy again. [11]
    • If the resin becomes sticky or hard to work with again, put it back in your freezer for another 30 minutes.
    • Freezing your pipe might not be enough to completely clean it, but it will help remove large pieces of residue so other cleaners are more effective.
    4. Advertisement
Section 4 of 5:

How to Clean Pipes Made from Different Materials

PDF download Download Article
  1. 1
    Wood When you clean a wood pipe , dip a pipe cleaner in rubbing alcohol and gently wipe out all the areas that are dirty, including the bowl, stem, and mouthpiece. When the pipe cleaner looks dirty, use a fresh one in its place. When you’re finished, let the pipe dry out for 1 day before smoking with it again. [12]
    • Avoid soaking wood pipes because they could get damaged.
  2. 2
    Metal and ceramic Metal and ceramic pipes are really durable, so they can withstand being boiled in water. Fill up a pot with water and bring it to a boil. Then, submerge your pipe in the boiling water for around 5 minutes. Afterwards, pull it out with a pair of tongs and tap out any residue onto a paper towel. [13]
    • Lay the pipe on a clean towel and let it completely cool before you use it again.
  3. 3
    Silicone Silicone bowls and pipes are easy to clean using the same methods as glass pipes. Either soak the pipe in rubbing alcohol with salt, or submerge them in boiling water to break apart all of the residue. [14]
    4. Advertisement
Section 5 of 5:

Pipe Cleaning FAQ

PDF download Download Article
  1. 1
    How often should you clean a weed pipe? Try to clean your weed pipe about once a month so the residue doesn’t build up too much. If you’re a frequent smoker, you may need to clean your pipe every couple of weeks instead.
  2. 2
    Are dirty pipes safe to use? While you can take hits from a dirty weed pipe, it may have an unpleasant flavor or hit more harshly than a clean pipe. There’s also a chance that some of the loose resin could get into your lungs when you inhale. For the best and cleanest smoking experience, try to use a clean pipe every time. [15]
  3. 3
    How do you clean a bong? Bongs are too large to completely submerge when you’re cleaning them , so put your cleaning solution inside the bong instead. Alcohol and salt work great, but you can use any of the cleaning solutions listed here. Plug the holes on your bong and shake the solution around to coat the sides. Then, let the solution soak in your bong for at least 30 minutes before using pipe cleaners to scrub away the extra residue. [16]
    4. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Reader Videos

      Tips

      • Avoid putting a hot pipe into cold water or vice-versa because the sudden temperature changes could cause the glass to crack.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

      Tips from our Readers

      The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
      • Avoid exposing your pipe to extreme temperatures, as this can cause it to crack.
      • Try using a bicycle spoke to clean your pipe.
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Things You'll Need

      Alcohol and Salt Cleaning

      Boiling Water

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Clean Your Bong with Household Items
      Simple Ways to Clean a Clogged Pipe Screen (and Weed Pipes Too)
      How to
      Get Resin out of a Bowl
      How to
      Wash a Pipe or Bong with Alcohol and Salt
      The Best Way to Clean Your Tobacco or Glass Pipe
      The Best Way to Clean a Bong
      How to
      Clean a One Hitter with Alcohol, Vinegar & More
      How to
      Clean an Acrylic Bong
      How to
      Clean a Dab Rig & Nail With and Without Alcohol
      How to
      Clean a Wood Pipe
      How to
      Pack and Smoke a Bowl of Marijuana
      How to
      Clean Copper Pipes
      How to
      Clean Out the Inside of a Glass Bottle (With or Without a Brush)
      How to
      Clean a Metal, Plastic, or Acrylic Weed Grinder
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://dube.delivery/how-to-clean-a-weed-pipe/
      2. ↑ https://www.canncentral.com/clean-glass-pipe
      3. ↑ https://www.canncentral.com/clean-glass-pipe
      4. ↑ https://www.canncentral.com/clean-glass-pipe
      5. ↑ https://youtu.be/wMJDl--MXlM?t=470
      6. ↑ https://www.veriheal.com/blog/four-methods-to-clean-your-glass-pipe-to-perfection/
      7. ↑ https://youtu.be/LbwAub4Uz8k?t=192
      8. ↑ https://findclearchoice.com/how-to-clean-glass-pipe/
      9. ↑ https://theweedblog.com/guides/how-to-clean-your-pipe-or-bong
      1. ↑ https://www.veriheal.com/blog/four-methods-to-clean-your-glass-pipe-to-perfection/
      2. ↑ https://dube.delivery/how-to-clean-a-weed-pipe/
      3. ↑ https://www.pipeonline.it/en/blog/how-to-clean-the-pipe-n9
      4. ↑ https://www.thrillist.com/eat/nation/how-to-clean-your-pipes-bongs-and-vapes
      5. ↑ https://www.higherleaf.com/posts/how-to-clean-bong
      6. ↑ https://elevate-holistics.com/blog/keeping-your-lungs-happy-while-smoking-cannabis/
      7. ↑ https://cleanzen.com/blog/how-to-clean-a-bong/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To create a pipe cleaning solution, fill a resealable plastic bag with rubbing alcohol and kosher salt. Before cleaning your glass pipe, hold the bowl upside down and tap it to remove any loose debris. Then, submerge your pipe in the solution and let it sit for several hours, shaking the bag vigorously when your first put the pipe in and before you remove it. Once the pipe looks clean, take it out of the solution and rinse it under hot water. To learn how to clean your pipe in boiling water, scroll down!

      Did this summary help you?
      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 2,687,183 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • Kate Woodsview

        Jun 6, 2016

        "I clean with alcohol, but didn't know to use salt or remove resin by freezing! I was given a pipe in bad ..." more
      More reader stories Hide reader stories
      Share your story
      If you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission .

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement