how to clean a percolator bong. This is realistically one of the hardest smoking tools you’ll ever have to clean in your life, without a doubt. In fact, most people just don’t clean them. People think you have to buy expensive cleaners online and then even those don’t work sometimes.
Do not worry my fellow stoners, I know the way. This is the way (Mandalorian quate) yes I just did that. The movie is coming out in 2026 btw. Right lets begin to teach you how to clean a percolator bong.
Rules
I Have some do’s and don’ts before we start this off. Making sure you are safe while cleaning and ensuring your percolator bong is safe too.
Do Not: Wash your bong with hot water of any kind, especially from a kettle. When the bong cools, depending on how fast it cools, it could shatter. If you use hot water and then cold water directly after, just say goodbye to your expensive bong.
Do: You can use hot luke warm water or just cold water is best. How to clean a percolator bong? the answer is not water in general. You will only be using water to rinse the bong out after it has been cleaned.
Do Not: Just throw in random chemicals. You can often make dangerous concoctions like mustard gas or even explosives. This wont clean your bong. This is only a health risk, if inhaled it could be fatal.
Do: Just use one soft cleaning chemical after the bong is clean, like dish soap to make sure the bong is extra clean. Rinse out with cold water rigorously afterwards.
Do not: Have a cluttered area while cleaning your bong. Ensure you have a wide-open space to complete this “how to clean a percolator bong” process.
Do: Do this outside the house, away from animals and other people. Nobody can be upset with you for destroying for something if you didn’t destroy. Leave those excuses for “the cat/dog did it” and you have a strong alibi.
Tools we will be needing
- Gloves, mask, eye protection and long sleeve clothes.
- Bong caps for the mouthpiece and for the stem. If you do not have these available, its not a train smash. There are other fools’ methods which ill list at the bottom.
- Coarse Salt (can be purchased at the nearest general store)
- Isopropyle (99% alcohol) the key to “how to clean a percolator bong” this has to be 90%+. Depending on your country or state. You should be able to purchase this at your nearest pharmacy, ask for rubbing alcohol or Isopropyle for cleaning surfaces. Note: Your going to look suspect, shrug it off. This is the stuff they use to clean blood off linen.
- Common sense. The chemical you are using is not to be messed with. Seriously not a joke, do not put it anywhere except inside your bong. Read the instruction and follow the precautions. IF YOU DRINK IT, YOU WILL DIE !!!
Healthy and Safety
- Place the gloves on your hands, tuck your sleeves under the gloves if they are long enough.
- Place the mask on your face, make sure it covers your nose and mouth.
- Place eye protection on, ensure nothing can get to your eyes.
- Note that the bong can get slippery in this process. Use a firm grip and always have one hand supporting the bottom, like you would hold a baby up supporting it from its bum.
- IF you do not have bong plugs: Here is a few ideas.
- Use dish sponges to block the mouthpiece and stem/joint.
- Use surgical gloves to wrap around both open areas, make sure they are tight (use an elastic if you need)
- Stuff toilet paper (loads of it) down both openings. Make sure not to break the bong with too much pressure.
- You can just use your hands and fingers to block the holes, making sure your wearing gloves.
How to clean a percolator bong
- Once you have completed all the health and safety steps. Pour the Isoproyle into the bong, up to the level at which you normally fill the water till.
- Pour about half that amount of coarse salt inside. Let them sit together for 10 seconds.
- Begin to shake the Bong effectively. Swirling, up and down, upside down, let to right etc… The more you shake the better. Do it for about 10 Minutes. Most or all the gunk should be gone by then.
- Place the bong on its side on a table or on the floor where it is safe. Allowing the Isopropyle to eat the rest of the gunk on that side. Leave it there for an hour.
- Shake again and then place it on the opposite side the leave for anothher hour (in the shade).
- Give it a last shake. All the gunk should have been broken down or dissolved. Depending on your percolators, there might still be some stuff still stuck inside.
- Empty out the Isopropyle into an outside drain or reuse reduce and recycle. Isopropyle can be used many times before being thrown away (use it for your pipes, grinders, bubblers, Dab tools, Nectar collector etc).
- Use high pressure water and dish soap to clean out the rest of the broken-down substances which are most likely just wedged in and need some motivation to move out.
- Rinse out the bong thoroughly with cold or luke warm water.
- Congratulations, you have a new percolator bong. Thats how to clean a percolator bong.
Notes
You can leave the Isopropyle in overnight. This is for those ones that are really tough to clean and might have a thick wall of gunk. If the Isopropyle is looking too thick or chunky, empty it out into the outside drain and then repeat the whole process.
Summary: The Ultimate Guide, how to Clean a Percolator Bong
Cleaning a percolator bong is no joke—it’s one of the hardest smoking tools to maintain. But with the right method, it’s totally doable. Forget overpriced online cleaners; all you need is isopropyl alcohol (99%+), coarse salt, and some patience.
Key Takeaways:
Avoid extreme temperature changes to prevent glass from shattering.
Stick to safe cleaning agents—no random chemicals, no DIY science experiments.
Use protective gear like gloves, a mask, and eye protection.
Seal the openings with bong caps, sponges, or even your hands.
Shake vigorously for about 10 minutes, then let the alcohol and salt mixture sit to dissolve the gunk.
For deep cleaning, let the alcohol soak for a few hours or overnight. Always rinse thoroughly with cold or lukewarm water. With this method, your bong will be as good as new—no lingering grime, no nasty residue, just clean, smooth hits.
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