Cleaning glass accessories is one of the best ways any owner can take care of their health.
It sounds obvious. But you’d be surprised how many people forget about it. A dirty glass piece doesn’t just look bad — it’s also covered in bacteria, mould, and residue that’s terrible for wellness.
Fortunately…
Cleaning glass accessories is:
- Free (most of the time)
- Easy
- Something that makes a noticeable difference immediately
This article is going to cover everything there is to know about keeping glass accessories clean. Here’s what you’re going to learn:
- Why Maintenance Matters
- Residue Buildup and Health Effects
- Cleaning Methods
- The Right Compact Wax Rig For Maintenance
- Mistakes To Avoid
Why Maintenance Matters
Let’s start with something most people don’t realize…
Every time a glass accessory gets used, residue starts to accumulate on the inside. This sticky buildup traps in moisture and organic material that bacteria thrive on.
Studies from the NIH show that nearly 80% of chronic infections come from bacteria growing on surfaces and forming biofilm. Biofilm is essentially a protective layer bacteria form around themselves once they settle on a surface. It allows them to stick around during rinsing.
That’s right. If glass accessories aren’t properly cleaned, bacteria can grow and create dangerous colonies that can’t be washed away with water.
Ask yourself…
When was the last time a compact wax rig or piece got taken apart for a good clean? Moisture, organic material, and heat are the perfect conditions for microorganisms to thrive. Those who invest in high-quality dab rigs know that buying quality glass matters. But regardless of the quality of glass, its purity degrades the longer buildup is left to sit.
This is why maintenance is so important.
Residue Buildup and Health Effects
Okay, so…
When glass accessories are used, residue from herb or concentrate is left on the inside. The thicker this layer gets, the more difficult it is to clean. When there’s moisture caught underneath the residue, that’s an open invitation for bacteria to grow and form biofilm.
Researchers at Frontiers in Microbiology discovered that bacteria found in biofilm can be up to 1,000 times harder to kill than bacteria not secured within biofilm. 1,000 times! Not cleaning a piece or wax rig on a regular basis is doing a major disservice to health.
Don’t let residue build up and put health at risk. Here’s what happens when it collects:
- Growing bacteria faster
- Terrible tasting smoke
- Damage to glassware
Long story short. The longer the wait to clean the glass, the worse it’ll be.
The Best Cleaning Methods For Glass Accessories
Right…
On to the good stuff. How to properly maintain glass accessories.
The easiest way to clean any glass accessory is by using isopropyl alcohol and coarse salt. Pour enough alcohol into the glass piece to cover all of the interior surfaces. Then, add enough salt to fully cover the bottom of the piece. Cap off all openings and shake vigorously for 60 seconds. After shaking, let it soak for 10-15 minutes if there is heavy residue buildup.
Let’s walk through the process.
- Dump out the glass accessory and rinse it with warm water.
- Pour isopropyl alcohol into the glass piece. Add coarse salt.
- Cover all openings and shake for at least 60 seconds.
- Allow to soak if there’s heavy residue buildup.
- Rinse the piece one more time with warm water.
- Air dry.
Easy, inexpensive, and super effective.
For a compact wax rig, cleaning after every couple of uses is recommended. Concentrates leave behind more sticky residue than dry herb. A touch more maintenance can go a long way.
Pipe cleaners and cotton swabs are the best tools for getting into those small crevices.
Choosing The Right Compact Wax Rig For Maintenance
When purchasing a new glass accessory, pay attention to the design and quality. Certain aspects of the piece can make cleaning it either super easy or a pain.
Here’s what to look for in a clean-friendly glass accessory:
- Compact wax rigs and glass pieces that have a simple design. Fewer percolators means fewer nooks and crannies for residue to hide in.
- High-quality borosilicate glass. This type of glass won’t degrade as fast as standard glass when constantly cleaned with alcohol.
- Options that allow the piece to come apart. When glass accessories can be broken into smaller pieces, each individual section can be cleaned more thoroughly.
- Compact-sized pieces. The smaller the glass accessory, the less cleaner needed. Smaller also means easier to shake and rinse.
The easiest glass accessories to clean are going to be compact in size and have simple designs.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
Here are some of the biggest mistakes people make when maintaining their glass accessories…
- Running hot water over cold glass. The quick change in temperature can crack a glass accessory. Instead of boiling water, rinse with warm water and let the piece heat up or cool down gradually.
- Not rinsing after cleaning. Isopropyl alcohol isn’t something anyone wants to ingest. Make sure to rinse out the glass accessory with warm water until there’s no longer a smell of alcohol.
- Waiting too long between cleans. Everything mentioned above gets worse when buildup is left to sit. Don’t let it sit. Rinse the piece out after every few uses and do a complete clean once a week.
- Using harsh abrasives. Scrub brushes and steel wool can scratch up a glass accessory. Avoid small pieces of bacteria hiding in those scratches by using salt as an abrasive.
Wrapping Things Up
Maintaining glass accessories is one of the best ways to ensure clean pieces every time. Harsh residue builds up bacteria and biofilm that’s tough to clean once it’s established.
Take care of glass accessories and they’ll return the favour. Here’s a quick recap:
- Clean glass after every couple of uses.
- When cleaning, use isopropyl alcohol and salt.
- Choose a compact wax rig that’s easy to take apart.
- Don’t let build-up sit too long before giving glass accessories a good cleaning.
Glass maintenance doesn’t need to be complicated. Follow the tips outlined here and the results will speak for themselves.
