Smoking weed can be a fun and relaxing experience to have. However, the need to clean your pipe after each use can easily steal the happiness and smile on your face. If you are using a pipe, expect it to be hard to use regardless of what it was made of.
Well, the techniques on how to clean a pipe are somewhat the same as the methods used for a bong. It’s just that a pipe needs more special care.
What’s a Pipe?
The pipe is one of the most widely used devices in smoking cannabis. How does it work? Well, its tip holds a small quantity of weed. After that, the smoker will heat the pipe’s tip and check how warm it is. You can already start smoking and consume its content once it gets warm. Do it as fast as you can. Put the pipe’s tip on his mouth, inhale the vapor, and exhale. Feel the vapor that goes into your lungs.
You’ll realize that your pipe can get too dirty by the way it works. Good thing, there are simple ways to do it effectively and successfully.
The Needed Materials in Cleaning a Pipe
Cleaning the pipe will require you to use some materials. Good thing, those materials are typically affordable, widely accessible, and easy to use, such as:
- Cotton balls
- Salt
- Isopropyl alcohol
- Cotton swabs
- Lemon juice
- Toothbrush
- Hot water
- Pipe cleaner
- Paper towels or clean cloths
- Brushes
- Gloves
How to Clean a Pipe? Two Cleaning Techniques to Use
There are several cleaning techniques in cleaning a pipe. In this post, you will get two options.
Main Technique
In this cleaning method, you have to follow these steps:
1. Scoop out More
First, try scraping out inside the pipe to remove the resin and plant material stuck in it. Scraping out the residues will make the job a lot easier. Use a pipe scraper or get a Q-tip, cut its head, and use the tough stick in scraping off the resin.
2. Soak the Pipe in the Water
Though it’s not necessary, soaking the pipe in the water can be very helpful. Make sure the water is hot to get rid of the germs and bacteria that the cleaning solution cannot eradicate. Don’t use cold water because it will only loosen up the sticky particles within the pipe, leaving the bacteria untouched. Freshly boiled water is good to use.
3. Pour a Small Amount of Your Cleaning Solution and Add Salt
Pour a small amount of a cleaning solution on the water after soaking the pipe. The cleaning solution will loosen up and dissolve the hardened resin and plant matter, including the stubborn bacteria.
You can also add some salt for better results. The salt will absorb the active ingredients of the cleaning solution, leaving your pipe thoroughly cleaned. One tablespoon of salt will be enough.
Now, close the opening of your pipe to prevent the cleaning solution and salt from leaking. After that, gently shake your pipe sp that the cleaning solution can penetrate the crevices of the device.
4. Rinse It Out
After shaking the pipe, pour out the used cleaning solution and rinse your device with hot water. Wash the pipe thoroughly to get rid of the traces of the salt and cleaner. Rinsing may take several minutes, so do it with patience and extra care.
Again, use hot water in washing away the cleaning solution and salt. Hot water helps a lot in eliminating the leftover germs and the stubborn residue.
5. Allow the Pipe to Dry
Dry the pipe with a clean cloth or paper towel. Then, leave it for in a clean and airy place to dry. This will help dry out the interior of your pipe. Instead of trying to wipe the pipe’s interior by using a cloth, just follow this tip. This way, you’re sure your pipe is okay, safe, and ready for the next use.
After a few hours, get a clean cloth and gently pat the pipe to dry those areas that are still slightly wet. Be sure to do it with extra care to avoid damage.
Denture Tablet Technique
If using a cleaner doesn’t seem to be the ideal method in your case, this technique will be a better alternative. It’s a quick and easy technique for cleaning a dirty pipe. Although, some users say this is not as effective as the previous method. Nevertheless, see how it works with these steps:
1. Get a Neat Container and Fill It with Hot Water
Get a container, fill it with hot water, and soak the pipe inside. Be sure the container is almost full of water so that the pipe gets deeper into the water.
2. Pour Some Denture Tablets in the Container
Take two denture tablets and drop them inside the container. The tablets will quickly dissolve and mix with the water, turning into a liquid solution that will eliminate the buildup inside your pipe.
3. Allow it to Sit for Some Minutes
Set aside the container for a while to make sure the mixture of denture tablets and water will be effective enough in removing the sticky plant matter and resin. Wait for at least 10 to 15 minutes. After that, take the pipe out of the container.
Shake it off to pour out the excess water that can make extra drying challenging. This is true, especially for the pipe’s interior.
4. Dry Your Pipe
Get a neat and dry cloth and wipe the pipe. Leave the pipe in a clean and airy space for a while to dry it out from inside to outside. This may take an hour or even longer.
Conclusion
Cleaning a pipe can be too daunting for a novice like you. Nevertheless, there are methods you can use to get it done. Those two methods on how to clean a pipe are effective and easy to do. They are also cheap and very convenient. Stop wondering which method is good for you. Try them both and see for yourself.
