9 Steps To A Cleaner Water Pipe
Is a Dirty Water Pipe Harmful to Your Heart and Lungs?
It’s important to consider the role your bong plays in your overall health. If left dirty, your water pipe is the perfect environment for yeast, fungi, bacteria and pathogens to thrive. If you have ever left a glass of plain water out for a few days, you may have noticed the shiny film that develops on the top surface of the water. This film is called a biofilm, and it’s made up of colonies of microbes that live on the water's surface. In your bong, that biofilm is mixed with all of the resin and plant matter that ends up in the water. This allows harmful pathogens like Streptococcus, E. coli, Black Mildew and gunk to grow and flourish. The pathogens can cause respiratory issues like strep throat, pneumonia and emphysema, just to name a few. It’s so important to rinse your bong daily, because biofilm can form in as little as 24 hours.
9 Steps To A Cleaner Bong
1. Dump It Out
You’d think this is a given and not worth mentioning, but we want to be thorough.
2. Take It Apart
Separate the bowl and stem from the bong. If your bowl and stem are two pieces, separate those as well. If your bong has any other removable parts, take those apart too. Your bong should now be completely disassembled.
3. Rinse It Out
Hot running water is a great way to start the cleaning process. It dislodges some of the surface resin that has built up with repeated use and starts to dissolve the bonds that bind the gunk in place. Get the water as hot as you can tolerate and consider wearing dishwashing gloves. The gloves allow you to make the water hotter, which turbo-charges the process. Fill from the top and empty from the slide opening. This will minimize the chances of the loose residue getting caught anywhere else.
4. Contain Your Pieces
After you’ve put each loose piece in its own baggie or plastic container, pour in at least a ¼ cup of cleaning solution or enough to fully submerge the parts.
5. Agitate! But Don't Be Angry.
After you seal the container(s) let them soak for 10 to 15 minutes, shake em, swish em - get the liquid moving. This moves the solution through all the crevices and breaks up the resin. When you think you’ve shaken enough, shake some more. You may have to do this for at least five minutes to really dislodge the sticky mess. This is especially useful if you’ve built up quite a layer of resin. Once the small pieces are clean to your satisfaction, set them aside and turn your attention to the main event: the water pipe.
6. The Main Event!
Pour enough solution into your bong to get over the dirty water line. Let it soak for 10 to 15 minutes. Cap the openings with Resolution Silicone Caps; they stretch over both the mouthpiece and the downstem openings, making your hands more available for a better grip. Better grip = less accidents.
7. Shake It, Swish It - Get The Liquid Movin!
Shake the bong vigorously so the solution moves around all surfaces. Continue to shake the whole thing for at least five minutes. Then shake some more. While you’re shaking the bong, be satisfied you just did some sick bi’s and tri’s work for the day. Look at those pipes!
*Pro Tip: Twist the faucet out of the way.*
8. Rinse It Out - Again!
Remove the small pieces from their container(s) and dump the solution from the bong. Cleaning solutions can be re-used a few times depending on how gunky it is. If some stubborn gunk remains, use a pipe cleaner or small brush to free any residue. Rinse everything thoroughly with the hottest water you can muster. Rinsing helps to remove residuals from the surfaces. Let everything air dry before using again. For extra protection against those tough surface sinks, we recommend the Filthy Sink by Mood Mats, which is a thick rubber mat that allows the liquids to pass through while protecting your glass.
9. Clean Your Station
Give your cleaning station some love. Rinse the sink, wipe the counter, clean your Mood Mat. Genuinely take pride in your lifestyle.
Next Level Cleaning Tips
I think we just covered the tips. But...The main thing to remember, is the more often you clean it - the easier it is to clean. Why spend hours soaking and shaking tough gunk when you can do a quick daily rinse with hot water to maintain cleanliness and prevent bacteria. If your water pipe doesn’t have a lot of percs, try a solution with abrasive salts, such as Orange Chronic, or Randy’s Black Label. If percs are life, try Purple Power Instant, Resolution Gel or 99% isopropyl.
All your favourite cleaning solutions and tools are on sale every Wednesday. Save 10% with Wash It Out Wednesday. Shop in-store at The Next Level Forest Lawn or online www.thenextlevels.ca
