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Cleaning Guide for Different Types of Smoking Gear

Cleaning your smoke gear can feel overwhelming, especially with so many different tools, products, and materials out there. Glass, silicone, complex rigs—each can require a slightly different approach, and knowing what’s safe and effective can be a bit of a puzzle. With so many options available, how do you know what actually works?

Here’s the good news: cleaning your gear doesn’t have to be a science project! With some straightforward tips, you’ll feel ready to choose from the long list of cleaning supplies without the guesswork. In stores, we’ll walk you through tried-and-true methods and key essentials for cleaning different types of smoke gear, from everyday glass to the trickier silicone and more complex rigs.

And this week, let’s simplify the process by breaking down your different options. Say goodbye to confusion and hello to a sparkling clean setup!

Glass

It might seem like the most simple material to clean, but glass gear can cause some frustration if you don’t have a solid routine. If you have a small handpipe, it can be difficult to get into and clean. For water pipes, the dirty water can cause extra problems.

Rather than trying to manually scrape every nook and cranny in your glass piece, something like this 420 Soak N Rinse solution can be a great option. Non-toxic and biodegradable, this cleaning solution offers a hassle free way to clean your glass. Just soak your piece in the solution and then rinse off all the grime and you’ll be left with good as new glass!

You can also try the original formula, the 710 formula and a few others for different solutions based on your preference. But whatever solution you choose, having a glass specific cleaner on hand is always a great idea.

Silicone

One of the best benefits of using silicone smoke gear is that it is super easy to clean. For the most part, you don’t have to worry about breakage (save for any auxiliary glass or steel pieces like the loadable banger of a water pipe or the heatable tip of a nectar collector). You can also often just freeze and break off the residue and grime. That’s right - just stick your piece in the freezer and break off the goop!

Sometimes these pieces are even dishwasher safe, so you can easily just run it with your other dishes. And as for the breakable parts, refer back to the glass section above for options!

Difficult or Complex Pieces

Because smoke gear is so creative and artistic, sometimes you have pieces that, while they are beautiful, they might pose an extra challenge to cleaning. Take a complex heady piece or a recycler for example, the complex twists and turns of the piece might be difficult to just soak or shake with isopropyl alcohol and rinse clean.

For pieces like this, it’s always great to have some tools on hand like these detailing brushes. Get into all the little nooks and crannies with these tools and pair them with your 420 formula cleaning solution for extra grit and protection.

Complex pieces can feel a little overwhelming, but with the right tools cleaning can be a breeze!

Keeping these basic tips in mind, you’re well on your way to a simple clean-up process for any of your smoke gear. Whether you’re dealing with glass, silicone, or complex rigs, a little extra care ensures smoother sessions, better taste, and a longer life for your gear. By choosing the right products and methods for each material, you’re setting yourself up for easy maintenance and a much better experience every time.

So, next time you’re gearing up for a cleaning session, you’ll know exactly what to do. Here’s to keeping things fresh, functional, and ready whenever you are!