There are few things as near and dear to a smoker’s heart as their glass pipe. You probably have at least one prized piece that you take special care of and definitely paid a pretty penny for. You may even bust this pipe out for a special night in with your friends to share a bowl. The problem? It’s covered in resin and your once pristine, clear glass is now tinted an unattractive shade of brown. Gross.

Thankfully, you can avoid this by giving your glass piece a little love and elbow grease, along with a good glass pipe cleaning solution. We know, we know… you’ve probably met quite a few smokers who never cleaned their pipe, either. Standards aside, it’s only polite to offer your guests a sparkling pipe, just as a good host would offer pizza and a comfy couch.

You might be like the majority of us and not even know where to start with cleaning your beloved water pipe. Lucky for you, you’ve come to the right place. We have the answers to your questions, so you’ll never again grimace at the murky water in your glass water pipe, or wonder how to clean a piece the right way.

What is the best way to clean a glass water pipe?

First thing’s first: Get rid of the gross, brown water that has been collecting ash for probably way too long. Then, remove any attachments like removable bowls and stems. Soften up any resin in the piece beforehand with heat – a good way to do this is to submerge the glass in boiling water for approximately 30 minutes.

Next, place the pipe cleaning solution in a container large enough for the piece, or make your own DIY glass cleaner. If it’s small enough to fit in a plastic bag, it’s even easier to dislodge residue from the pipe, because you can shake the bag. Ensure that the solution is room temperature, as rinsing your piece in hot water and submerging it in cold may cause the glass to crack. Leave it to soak for about 30 minutes, then remove it from the cleaning solution and rinse in hot water. Cotton swabs or pipe cleaners are excellent for getting into the stems, nooks, and crannies of the pipe. Let it air dry and admire your hard work! You may need another cycle of this to fully clean, depending on how long it’s been since you cleaned it last. A great glass pipe cleaning solution is Resolution cleaning Gel, which allows you to reuse the cleaning gel multiple times!

Cleaning glass pipes is easy, and won’t take too long if you have the proper tools. Another great cleaner that is cost-effective and powerful is ResRemover Pipe Cleaner, which will restore your glass pipes to their former glory. The most important thing is to stay on top of keeping your glass clean so gunk doesn’t get a chance to settle and stick.

How often should you clean a glass water pipe?

Don’t be “that guy” who always offers their friends a grody pipe. It’s an unspoken rule to clean the water in your pipe once a day and especially before you offer it to others to use. Nobody wants to see or smell that nasty water ruminating in the pipe they’re about to take a hit off. As for cleaning it thoroughly with a glass pipe cleaning solution, you only have to do that about once a week to maintain its cleanliness; twice a week for more avid smokers. Don’t overthink it too much: if it starts to look yucky, it’s time to clean it out.

Most people don’t enjoy trying to hit a clogged pipe, or the taste of the smoke when that weird resin build-up adds its own funky flavor to it, so cleaning it often is really in your best interest. It’ll help you save on your smoking herbs too if you can pull a nice, clean hit every time. You shouldn’t be struggling to take a rip, so if you feel you are, it’s probably time for a hands-on clean. We like to use Zen Bristle Pipe Cleaners to quickly route out any of the hidden resin that might clog the pipe. You’ll be amazed by how much gunk was hiding inside.

How do you make glass pipe cleaning solution at home?

We get it, you may not always have glass cleaner on hand when you need it. Thankfully, it’s easy to throw together a safe and effective solution with things you probably already have tucked in your cabinets.

1. Grab some rubbing alcohol (at least 90%) and mix with a few tablespoons of salt (the coarser, the better) in a large freezer bag.
2. Place the pipe in a large, sealable, bag and let soak in the salt and alcohol for about 30 minutes
3. Rinse thoroughly with hot water. This is the most important step as you want to ensure all of that alcohol has been flushed entirely from every surface of your pipe.
4. Dry with paper towels or a soft rag, then let the pipe air dry for a few minutes

Repeat this process until it’s totally clean. It may take two or three times, but this is a nice fix in a pinch. Now when your friends send you that “Wanna smoke?” text, you can be fully prepared to host. Toss your pipe in with this homemade solution and you can tidy up the rest of your pad while you wait.

Is there a wrong way to clean a glass pipe?

Yes, there absolutely is a wrong way to clean your pipe! You don’t want to clean your glass with harsh chemical astringents or cleaners as it could leave a film inside the pipe that could be dangerous to inhale or break down your pipe. If you value your piece, take this to heart: never use nail polish remover (acetone), window cleaner, or bleach, to clean your glass pipe. These can permanently damage your beloved pipe, and make it unsafe to use afterward. Stick to the homemade cleaner we mentioned earlier, or opt for a more effective, packaged glass cleaner so you can rest assured that you’re not adding any unnecessary wear and tear to your piece or your body.

Conclusion

Now you have all the information to keep your pipes pristine. Just like you can buy glass pipes online, you can conveniently buy all the cleaning solutions and tools you need online as well, right on our website. Stay stocked and clean your spoon pipes, hand pipes, and water pipes often, and they will continue to hit beautifully for years to come!

We love hearing from you! In the comments below, please tell us your DIY glass pipe cleaning tips and tricks!