There are quite a few different ways to smoke marijuana, including joints, blunts, and bongs. However, the simplest way to smoke marijuana is through a glass pipe.
The process is straightforward, quick, and effective, but it is very important that you know how to clean a glass pipe to make it hygienic and safe!
Getting high with the use of cannabis is a healthy and controlled way to relax. It’s a fun and recreational experience that you can explore safely.All it requires is your glass pipe, some weed, and a lighter.
Best Glass Pipe Cleaner
 | GRANDMASTER SMOKE | |
 | Original Cleaner by Formula 420 | |
 | Grunge Off Super Soaker | |
 | Evo Dyne Scoobie Snack Piece | |
 | Mantello Hard Bristle |
How to Use a Glass Pipe
The first step is to crush the marijuana flower and loosely pack it into the bowl. You can also add a few drops of cannabis oil to your pot. Then, simply light the bowl and inhale the smoke through the mouthpiece.
However, simply knowing how to smoke through a glass pipe isn’t enough. To smoke safely, you must follow all precautionary measures beforehand.
For instance, you need to prevent the buildup of bacteria, so you must clean your pipe thoroughly. Any residue in the pipe can also affect the quality of your next smoke.
If you’re trying to learn how to clean your glass pipe, you’re at the right place. Not only have I detailed the smoking process, but I’ve also got the cleaning process covered too. Find out how to clean a glass pipe for a sanitary smoking experience.
Why Is It Important to Clean Your Glass Pipes?
No matter what pipe you are using, it has a narrow canal from where the smoke travels to your mouth. If you have been using your pipe quite frequently, chances are, there is a more bacterial buildup in the pipe than you can imagine. This is why it is extremely important to thoroughly clean your glass pipe for a better and safer smoking experience.
Touching your mouth to something that hasn’t been cleaned for ages isn’t the best idea. Experts suggest, if you are a heavy smoker, you should clean your pipe every one to two days to ensure a sanitary smoking experience. Not only will it keep your pipe bacteria-free, but it also keeps it as good as new.
Extremely dirty pipes are also more susceptible to catching fire due to the canal’s hard buildup. Now, you don’t want your pipe to light up in flames, do you? To avoid all these situations, it is better to invest a little time in cleaning your smoking equipment every day.
The best part is that it will keep your cannabis tasting as original as possible since there will be no contaminants to meddle with the flavor.
How to Clean a Glass Pipe
Smoking from a dirty glass pipe will ruin the relaxing experience of your smoking and adversely affect your health. So let’s learn how to clean a glass pipe with the help of a pipe cleaner.
What You’ll Need:
For this cleaning project, you will need:
- Empty Tupperware or Ziploc bag
- Pipe cleaning solution
- Hot water
- Cotton swabs
- Rubber gloves
Step 1: Empty The Glass Pipe
Start with protecting your hands with a pair of rubber gloves. Pipe cleaning can leave a lingering unpleasant smell on your skin and house; therefore, it is better to keep your hands covered.
Before you use a pipe cleaner, make sure to empty the small pot of your pipe. Remove any cannabis residue with the help of a toothpick or mechanical pencil.
If your glass pipe has more than one part, disassemble it before you soak the pipe. Most cannabis consumers have a lot of residue in their pot, making the washing process a lot more difficult. So before you wash the pipe, hold it upside down and slightly tap it on a towel to get rid of anything stuck inside the pot.
Step 2: Soak It In the Pipe Cleaning Solution
Next, fill a Tupperware container or a Ziploc bag with the pipe cleaner. Soak the entire pipe in the solution for at least 30 minutes. If your pipe has more stubborn and persistent stains, then soak it for an hour.
If you are cleaning your pipe for the first time, make sure to read the instructions behind the cleaning agent. It is ideal to use a resealable plastic bag for this step, so you can shake it without damaging your pipe. Shaking your pipe inside the bag once it is thoroughly soaked will help loosen up all the resin buildup.
You may see the loose resin particles floating in the solution after you shake the bag vigorously. Shake off as much resin as you can till the solution turns a dark brown color.
Step 3: Deep Clean With Cotton Swabs
Take the pipe out of the solution and wipe it clean. If you notice any lingering residue, use a few cotton swabs to clean all the nooks and crannies of your pipe.
Since a cotton swab is soft and narrow, it will efficiently clean the mouthpiece of your pipe. Make a solution of dish soap and warm water to remove the water stains and remaining resin carefully.
You can also use a soft, small toothbrush instead of a cotton swab for deep cleaning your pipe. However, make sure to use gentle strokes to avoid scratching its surface. Avoid using knives, and skewers to prevent any breakage and scratches.
Step 4: Rinse It With Hot Water
Once your pipe is clean, rinse it with hot water. You can even use tap water to give your pipe a final rinse if you have whole-house water heating. For extra dirty pipes, you might want to soak them in hot water for 10 mins and then rinse them off.
If you haven’t cleaned your pipe in a long time and still see some residue, then repeat the entire process for a visibly clean cannabis pipe.
Step 5: Let It Air Dry
When you remove your pipe from the hot water, pat dry your pipe with a towel and let it air dry for several hours. It will eliminate any strong odors and moisture from your pipe.
The small pot takes the longest to dry, so give it the time it requires before you start with another smoking session.
And there you have it, a fresh and clean pipe for you to enjoy the aroma and relaxing experience of smoking weed.
Top 4 Glass Pipe Cleaning Solutions:
If you smoke regularly, it is important to clean your glass pipe regularly or on an alternate day basis. Now that you know how to clean a glass pipe, you need to choose a good quality cleaner to help you do the job. To help clean a glass pipe faster, there are various products in the market that you can get your hands on.
Here are the top 4 cleaning solutions that will make cleaning a dirty pipe a whole lot easier for you:
GRANDMASTER SMOKE – Soak & Wash Biodegradable Formula
Want acetone and grit-free cleaner that is free from harsh chemicals? Then this Grand Master Smoke cleaner is what you are looking for.
It efficiently removes resin and dirt from 420 and 710 glass without causing any damage. It is claimed to be made by smokers for smokers to create the ideal cleaning product the market was missing.
Pros
- Non-gritty textures
- Ideal for 420 and 710 glass
- Knocks off tar
- Non-toxic formula
- No acetone
Con
- Takes longer to dissolve the resin
Original Cleaner by Formula 420
Want to steer clear of any harsh chemicals in your glass pipe cleaning product? This Original Cleaner by Formula 420 is the option to go for.
It is packed with coarse salt particles that help eliminate any residual resin from your glass or ceramic pipe. It is also relatively cheaper than the other cleaners available in the market.
Pros
- Contains coarse salt
- Easily available
- Does not require soaking
- Suitable for all kinds of pipes
- Has a pleasant smell
- Reusable
Cons
- Has a very thick texture
- Requires a little scrubbing
Grunge Off Super Soaker Glass Pipe Cleaner
If you are as passionate about the environment as you are about cannabis, the Grunge Off Super Soaker Cleaner is what you need to have.
It is a natural product cleaning product that efficiently cleans glass pipes without majorly impacting the environment.
In addition, this product is free from any abrasives and harsh chemicals, making it one of the best weed pipe cleaners among the new generation.
Pros
- Environment-friendly formula
- Works quickly
- No harsh chemicals
- Non-gritty texture
- Efficiently removes resin buildup
Con
- Very costly
Evo Dyne Scoobie Snack Piece Pipe Cleaner
This resin cleaner for pipe is ideal for people who prefer using cannabis oil to the flower. No matter the material of pipe you are using, it will help dissolve the stubborn resin without using any abrasives.
Evo Dyne Scoobie Snack Piece is free from any toxins and is one of the most affordable options on the market.
Pros
- Toxin-free
- Non-abrasive texture
- Dissolves tar and cannabis resin
- Affordable
- 60-day money-back guarantee
Con
- Not reusable
Mantello Hard Bristle Pipe Cleaners
If you want to deep clean the canal of your pipe, then Mantello Hard Bristle pipe cleaner will help you achieve just that.
These cotton bristle rods are ideal for manually removing any residues that the cleaners haven’t removed. These are a must-have for all avid smokers to keep their pipes dirt and grime-free.
Pros
- Appropriate size for different kinds of pipes
- Reusable
- Made of 100% cotton
- Versatile
- Good for delicate glass pieces
Con
- Can have an unpleasant smell after one use
Alternate Ways to Clean Your Weed Pipe
If you want to clean your pipe using some basic ingredients from your pantry or medicine cabinet, then here is how to do it:
With Vinegar And Baking Soda
Make a cleaning blend using equal parts of baking soda and white vinegar along with a bowl filled with boiling water. Submerge the dirty pipe in the solution and let it soak for at least 60 minutes. Then, gently shake the pipe in the container to get rid of any resin pieces.
Once the pipe is clean, take it out of the bowl and rinse it with warm water. Pat dry with a towel and allow it to dry further with indirect air.
Using Isopropyl Alcohol
Another way to clean pipes at home is to soak them in rubbing alcohol. Fill a plastic bag with clean alcohol and leave the pipe inside to soak for a few hours. Rubbing alcohol breaks down resin and tar within a few hours.
Next, remove resin leftovers with the help of cotton buds or toothpicks. Finally, rinse your pipe thoroughly and let it air dry.
With the Help of Epsom Salt
If you want to give your pipe a good scrubbing, fill a plastic bag halfway with Epsom salt. You can also use sea salt or table salt for this purpose.
Put your pipe in the bag and shake it gently. Dirtier pipes will require more elbow grease.
Remove the piece from the bag and give it a thorough rinse. Let it air dry completely.
There you have it, a clean pipe ready to be used.
Using Denture Cleaner
You can also use a few denture tablets dissolved in hot water to clean your pipe. The fizzing of the tablets will remove the resin from the pipes and leave you with a nice and clean pipe to enjoy weed with.
With Lemon Juice
For non-resin stains like watermarks and discoloration, you can make a mixture of warm water and lemon juice. It will help bleach out all the stains and remove hard water buildup without damaging your pipe.
Closing on How to Clean Glass Pipes
Cleaning your pipe prevents the spread of germs, especially if you share your pipe with friends. It also ensures you aren’t inhaling any mold or bacteria while you smoke. The most beneficial aspect is that it ensures a clean and fresh-tasting smoke each time.
Now that you’ve read our guide, you can clean your glass pipe properly. Remember, getting high is only fun when it’s sanitary and safe!