Glass is the most popular material used to create standard bongs, heady glass, handheld glass pipes, and other cannabis smoking paraphernalia. That’s because it’s durable, can be crafted into just about any shape imaginable, and its transparency enables the users to see the inner workings of more elaborate pipes and bongs. What that transparency also reveals, however, is that resin from the herb has an unfortunate habit of sticking to the inside of glass pipes. In this post, the team at 710 Pipes headshop in Denver explain how to remove resin from your glass without breaking it.
Why Bother Removing the Resin From Inside Your Glass Pipe?
There are a number of reasons why you shouldn’t let the resin in your glass pipe just fester. For example, failing to clean your pipe/bong/whatever can lead to a situation where you are inhaling mold spores, bacteria and tar with each hit. Exactly the kind of things you want your bong to filter out.
Another reason to keep your pipe free of resin is that your weed will taste better when served from a clean pipe than it will from a dirty, resin-coated pipe. And old resin festering in the pipe will create genuinely unpleasant odors that will undermine your cannabis experience.
“A dirty bong can pose several risks to your health. One of the primary concerns is the accumulation of harmful bacteria and other microorganisms in dirty bong water, which can lead to infections and illnesses.” — Session Goods
3 Proven Ways to Remove Resin From a Pipe Without Breaking It
There are a lot of different ways to clean a glass pipe. Some of them effective, others not so much. Below, we’ll take you through 3 proven ways to remove resin buildup without breaking your precious pipe.
Method 1: Isopropyl alcohol and salt
Everyone here at our online head shop knows this method, because it’s been around forever. And there’s a good reason for that: it works. Isopropyl alcohol and salt, when combined, become a potent glass-cleaner that removes resin without doing harm to the bong or pipe itself. When it comes to removing resin from a pipe, it’s generally recommended that your mixture is about 90% isopropyl alcohol and 10% water, and the stronger mixture is ideal for removing resin buildup and killing germs and bacteria in the pipe.
To prepare your glass for cleaning, remove all components that can be removed and then pour your isopropyl alcohol and salt mixture into the bong. For the record, you don’t have to mix them ahead of time, you can pour in the alcohol and then add the salt. Up to you.
Now shake the bong vigorously for about 5 minutes, then pour out the alcohol/salt mixture and rinse the inside with a combination of water and a mild detergent. Finally, pour out the water/detergent combo and pour in plain water and rinse the inside thoroughly. If you want to avoid breaking your glass, the key here, obviously, is not to drop it while you are shaking it.
For smaller glass hand pipes, mix the alcohol and salt in a Ziploc bag or a Tupperware-like container. Place your pipe in the solution, cover it and let it soak for at least 30 minutes. After the 30 minutes are up, shake the bag or container well, then remove the pipe and rinse it thoroughly with warm water. Remember to place it on a paper towel to let it air dry.
Method 2: Baking soda and vinegar
This is another method of removing resin from a glass pipe that has been around forever. Those who are not fond of the idea of working with isopropyl alcohol often default to this method because it’s easy, affordable, safe and effective. The good news is that all you have to do is swap isopropyl alcohol and salt from the above instructions and substitute baking soda and vinegar. Just be sure to thoroughly rinse your glass pipe once the cleaning process is done.
Method 3: Boiling water
If you’re feeling a bit adventurous, consider the boiling water method of cleaning your pipe. The big caution here is to be sure you do not submerge your pipe in boiling water and let it boil away. That’s a recipe for breaking the glass. Instead, bring enough water to a boil to submerge your pipe. When it starts to boil, remove it from the heat and set it aside. Wait a minute for it to calm down and then submerge your glass in the water. Leave it there for at least 30 minutes before removing it. Make sure not to touch the glass with your bare hands when removing it, as it will be very hot. Instead, use a potholder.
How to Prevent Your Pipe from Getting Dirty in the Future
Ideally, you don’t want to wait until your pipe is gunked up with months of resin to clean it. Here are some helpful tips from our online smoke shop that will help you prevent excessive resin buildup to begin with.
- Rinse your glass pipe after every use.
- Don’t let water sit idle in the pipe for more than a few hours.
- If you use your bong a lot, clean it once a week with a commercially available cleaning solution. There are quite a few available online.
- And make sure to clean out the bowl with your pipe tool after every smoking session.
This is a neat trick to use ballons to help make shake-cleaning your bong or rig easy breezy:
Conclusion
Glass has long been a favorite material for creating compelling, effective devices for enjoying cannabis. But if you are going to invest in a bong or glass pipes, you’ll need to know how to maintain them properly. Keeping your glass free of caked-on resin is one of the most important aspects of basic bong maintenance, and it is easy to do.
Still, if you need to remove resin from your current glass and don’t want to break it in the process, any of the above methods should work just fine. Just be a little extra careful with the boiling water technique.
Common Questions About the Durability of Borosilicate Glass
Yes. Borosilicate glass is engineered to withstand higher thermal and mechanical stress than standard soda-lime glass. It’s less likely to crack from temperature changes and minor bumps, making it a popular choice for quality bongs and pipes.
Borosilicate glass handles heat well, but rapid temperature shock can still cause cracks. To reduce risk, avoid pouring aggressively boiling water directly into a cold piece and let both the glass and water equalize in temperature gradually.
Borosilicate glass is tough, but it’s not unbreakable. A drop onto hard surfaces like tile or concrete can still chip or shatter it. Thicker glass and reinforced joints improve durability, but it’s best to treat your piece as fragile.
Normal cleaning with isopropyl alcohol, salt, or mild detergents will not weaken borosilicate glass. The main risk comes from accidental impacts or extreme temperature swings during cleaning, not from the cleaning agents themselves.
For everyday bongs and larger rigs, many buyers prefer glass that’s around 4–7 mm thick for a good balance of clarity and strength. Smaller hand pipes can be thinner, but thicker walls generally offer better impact resistance.
Use padded surfaces, avoid extreme temperature changes, support joints when removing downstems or bowls, and store your glass upright when not in use. Regular, gentle cleaning also prevents stubborn buildup that might make you scrub too aggressively.
Shop the 710 Pipes Pipe Shop for All Your Cannabis Needs
A bong or other types of custom glass pipes are tried and true ways to enjoy your favorite herb. But if you want the true flavor and aroma to shine through, you’ll need to make sure your glass is always clean and free of built-up resin from weeks or months prior. The above tips will help you do that.
And if you are looking for a new bong, new heady glass or some other form of cannabis paraphernalia, you’re sure to find what you’re looking for when you shop the 710 Pipes online head shop. If you have any questions about any of our products, just give us a call at 303-365-0710 during regular business hours and we’ll be happy to help.
