How to clean a weed pipe

Do you want to know how to clean a weed pipe?

Believe it or not, there is a right and wrong way to clean your marijuana pipe. We're going to show you how to do it the right way.

In this article, we will teach you how to clean a pipe using nothing but household items, how to get resin off of glass, and how to clean a silicone pipe.

How to clean a weed pipe

When it comes to smoking flower, a dirty pipe can throw off your experience. When you regularly use the same pipe without cleaning it, tar—commonly referred to as weed resin—builds up. As we discussed in How to Make Rosin: 

“Resin can mean one of two very different things. First, it refers to the sticky substance on cannabis plants (also called the trichomes). This resin is what you collect in a grinder as kief. Resin is the term for the black sludge residue you see in pipes and bongs after long-term use. The substance has an unpleasant smell. It smears anything it touches.”

This weed resin builds up in your pipe and changes the flavor of your flower, makes the smoke harsher, and contains harmful smoking byproducts. While some people like to smoke this weed resin or “reclaim,” it contains low levels of THC and the risks far outweigh any benefits. 

While cleaning your weed pipe can be a hassle, it's essential to ensure you are getting your best cannabis experience. Additionally, many pipes are more than just a smoking device; they are art. For example, many clean glass pipes could be displayed as sculptures. Thankfully, it’s easy to clean your weed pipe with items you probably have lying around the house.

How to clean a glass pipe

Glass is one of the most common materials used for cannabis pipes. A glass weed pipe may be called a bowl, a spoon, glass, or just a pipe. Before we explain how to clean a weed bowl, make sure you have the following materials on hand:

●               A resealable plastic bag

●               Paper clip

●               Isopropyl alcohol—70% works fine, 90% is better

●               Table salt or Epsom salt (Salt isn't necessary, but it can loosen chunks of weed resin)

●                Dish soap

Follow the steps below to learn how to clean a glass pipe. 

How to clean a glass pipe: step-by-step guide

Step 1: Put the glass weed pipe in the resealable bag and add the alcohol

Ensure that no floral bits remain inside the pipe's bowl. Next, put the pipe in a resealable plastic bag, then fill the bag with rubbing alcohol so that the pipe is completely submerged. Additionally, it's okay to use a small sealable container in place of a baggie if there isn't one on hand. Since you cannot agitate it in the same manner as you can in the bag, you will need to soak it in a closed container for a longer period of time.

Step 2: Add one teaspoon of coarsely ground salt

In areas where a brush or sponge cannot reach, salt will serve as a scrubber and sponge. To make sure that salt is doing its job of deep cleaning, you should work it into the pipe to the maximum extent possible.

Step 3: Soak the glass pipe

Whether you are using a bag or container, soak the pipe for 12 hours. The alcohol should dissolve most of the weed resin during this time.

Step 4: Shake it up

After the glass weed bowl has soaked, shake the bag thoroughly to remove any residual cannabis resin. This step should be skipped if you use a solid container to avoid breaking the pipe.

Step 5: Take the pipe out and wash it

Take the weed pipe out of the bag after it has been soaked and shaken. Wash the weed pipe in hot water with a few drops of dish soap. Paper clips and pipe cleaners may help remove stubborn resin from your pipes, but make sure to avoid scratching your glass pipe. If you'd like to be extra cautious, try a cotton swab. Rewash the pipe with hot or warm water after you've cleaned it.

Step 6: Allow the pipe to dry

Before using your pipe again, allow it plenty of time to dry. Then repeat steps 1 through 5 if you haven't got a perfectly clean pipe. Make sure to add plenty of fresh salt. Rubbing alcohol will have dissolved a large amount of salt from the first cleaning round.

How to clean a silicone marijuana pipe

Compared with glass pipes, silicone pipes are easier to clean, primarily due to their outstanding durability and flexibility. Here’s how to clean a silicone pipe:

Step 1: Disassemble the silicone pipe

Silicone pipes are typically composed of a silicone base and a glass or metal bowl. Disassemble the silicone pipe and thoroughly clean the bowl with warm, soapy water after separating it from the silicone portion. Allow it to air dry while working on the silicone portion.

Step 2: Put the silicone pipe in the freezer

The silicone tube must be rinsed thoroughly, then frozen for at least 30 minutes. This step makes any weed resin or residue brittle so it can be removed easily.

Step 3: Tap off loose residue

After the weed resin and residue has hardened, tap the silicone pipe gently on a hard surface to remove it. If the resin doesn’t come off easily, use a cotton swab or a small brush.

Step 4: Let the silicone pipe soak.

Take a resealable plastic bag, put the silicone weed pipe inside, then add a DIY cleaning solution using warm water, dishwashing soap, and a bit of 70% isopropyl alcohol or vinegar. 

Additionally, silicone pipes can be cleaned using a commercial cleaning solution specifically designed for them. Be cautious about using cleaning solutions made for glass bongs or pipes. These solutions often contain harsh chemicals that are effective for cleaning glass but will degrade silicone. Instead, just make a cleaning solution with a few cups of warm water, a splash of vinegar, and a few drops of dish soap.

If possible, soak the pipe overnight or for an hour or two in the cleaning solution.

Step 5: Perform a final clean-up

If there is any hard-to-remove residue left on the pipe, simply wipe it with a cotton swab or a small brush. Once the pipe is thoroughly cleaned, use warm water to rinse it completely. Make sure the pipe is completely dry before you next use it.

Get started on your cannabis wellness journey

Have you started your cannabis wellness journey? Jointly is a new cannabis wellness app that helps you discover purposeful cannabis consumption so you can achieve your wellness goals with cannabis and CBD. On the Jointly app, you can find new cannabis products, rate products based on how well they helped you achieve your goals, and track and optimize 15 factors that can impact your cannabis experience. These 15 factors include your dose, the environment in which you consume cannabis, who you are with when you ingest, how hydrated you are, the quality of your diet, how much sleep you got last night, and more. Download the Jointly app on the App Store or the Google Play Store to get started on your cannabis wellness journey.