A clean bong is necessary to ensure a top-tier smoking experience using a bamboo bong. With each use, resin will build up on your bong, leading to a buildup of bacteria and a clogged bong. There are numerous bong cleaning solutions on the market, although many opt for a natural solution that’s both wallet and eco-friendly.

Lemon Juice

Opting to use lemon juice is an ideal solution that effectively dissolves resin and grime without the need for harsh chemicals. To effectively clean your bong, you’ll need lemon juice, warm water, salt, tape, and a plastic bag.

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To begin the cleaning process, make sure to disassemble your bong. Rinse each part of the bong with warm water to soften the debris on your bong, downstem, and bowl. To make it easier to clean, you’ll want to tape the hole where your downstem usually goes. Add your lemon juice into the bong and at least a heaping tablespoon’s worth of salt.

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The salt will help to break up debris, and the acidity of the citric acid in lemon juice will work to break up any resin buildup. The natural combination of salt and lemon juice will leave your piece sparkling clean and a delightfully citrusy aftertaste that will accent your dry herb.

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Once your solution is made inside your piece, take your plastic bag and cover the top of your bong. With a firm grip, shake the homemade cleaning solution inside your piece for at least a minute. While you’re doing this, keep your downstem and bowl soaking in the same lemon juice and salt solution in a plastic bag or bowl. Ensure that the entire downstem and bowl are covered by the solution for best results. Depending on how much resin is built up on your downstem and bowl, you may want to leave this soaking for up to a few hours.

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Following the cleaning process, you’ll want to discard materials used such as a plastic bag and/or tape, and rinse your bong, downstem, and bowl with water as hot as you can stand – but be careful not to burn yourself! You’ll know that your bong is ready to use again as soon as you can no longer smell your homemade cleaning solution.

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Isopropyl Alcohol

If you have extreme resin buildup on your bong, downstem, and bowl or you’re looking for a greater level of sanitization, most will opt for isopropyl alcohol and salt as a homemade cleaning solution. Isopropyl Alcohol, or rubbing alcohol, is the most popular cleaning agent for those looking to effectively clean their bong. As you do with any other cleaning solutions, you’ll want to disassemble your piece and rinse the bong, downstem, and bowl with warm to hot water to breakup any initial debris. As explained above, if you’d like to make it easier to clean your bong, you can tape the hole where the downstem goes and use a plastic bag to cover the top of your bong. Add your isopropyl alcohol and salt to your bong to make your cleaning solution. With a firm grip, shake the homemade cleaning solution inside your piece for at least a minute. While you’re doing this, keep your downstem and bowl soaking in the same isopropyl alcohol and salt solution in a plastic bag or bowl. Ensure that the entire downstem and bowl are covered by the solution for best results. Depending on how much resin is built up on your downstem and bowl, you may want to leave this soaking for up to a few hours.

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While you can use any table salt to act as an abrasive, epsom salt works best. Similarly, any isopropyl alcohol you can find will do the trick, but the higher the percentage is, the stronger the solution will be and thus will be more effective it will be at breaking down resin buildup in your bong, downstem, and bowl. If you don’t have isopropyl alcohol on hand, you can always opt for epsom salt and hot water to make a similar solution.

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Following the cleaning process, you’ll want to discard materials used such as a plastic bag and/or tape, and rinse your bong, downstem, and bowl with water as hot as you can stand – but be careful not to burn yourself! You’ll know that your bong is ready to use again as soon as you can no longer smell your homemade cleaning solution.

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Vinegar and Baking Soda

Another at home organic cleaning solution is vinegar and baking soda. Since vinegar is acidic, it will dissolve resin in a similar manner to lemon juice. The baking soda will act as an abrasive, similarly to salt. It’s recommended that you mix equal parts vinegar and warm to hot water to dilute the vinegar a bit, and about 2 tablespoons of baking soda. If vinegar isn’t diluted, it can leave a pungent smell in your bong following cleaning. 

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For best results, follow the same steps listed above in terms of setting up supplies, covering the holes to your bong, and soaking your downstatem and bowl. Be sure, as with all other bong cleaning solutions, to rinse your bong, downstem, and bowl thoroughly afterwards. 

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Commercial Bong Cleaners

Commercial bong cleaners such as 420 solution are available online and at most smoke shops. These specialized bong cleaners eliminate the process of making your own cleaning solution and dissolve resin typically quicker than at-home methods. However, you should exercise caution when using these cleaners and should check the ingredient list. While 420 solution doesn’t contain acetone, many market bong cleaners contain acetone, which is a highly toxic substance found in nail polish remover. For best results, follow the same steps listed above in terms of setting up supplies, covering the holes to your bong, and soaking your downstatem and bowl. If any residue from these cleaners are left behind on your bong, bowl, or downstem, it will leave an unpleasant taste and could be toxic. Be sure to thoroughly rinse your bong, downstem, and bowl with warm water no matter what cleaning solution you opt for!