The Best Way to Clean Your Tobacco or Glass Pipe

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Co-authored by Bruna Coutinho

Last Updated: June 11, 2025 References

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• Cleaning a Tobacco Pipe
|
• Cleaning a Glass Pipe
|
• Things You'll Need

|Show more |Show less

It is important to clean your pipe regularly so that old residue does not affect the flavor of your product. Follow these steps to care for and clean your pipe to ensure it achieves its full potential.

Steps

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Cleaning a Tobacco Pipe

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1. 
   1
   Empty out any ash and leftover tobacco in the bowl. You can do this by tapping or using a special scoop just for this purpose. Blow through the mouthpiece a bit to expel anything that remains.
2. 
   2
   Remove the stem or mouthpiece. This may require a slight tug or turn.
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3. 
   3
   Clean the stem with a pipe cleaner. Run a pipe cleaner back and forth through the stem to clean it.
4. 
   4
   Clean the shank with the pipe cleaner. Run a pipe cleaner back and forth through the opening where the stem connects and down into the bowl. Keep cleaning until all of the residue is removed.

   • Use a cleaning solution if you want to but it is not necessary. If using a cleaning solution, stuff a paper towel into the bowl to keep extra fluid from running out and ruining the outside of your pipe.
   • You can double the pipe cleaner as well, once the ends are dirty, to make sure you get the most use out of it.
5. 
   5
   Use the pipe cleaner to gently clean the bowl. Double a pipe cleaner and gently run it around the sides and bottom of the bowl. You want to remove some of the built-up cake on the sides but not all.

   • You can also use cotton swabs if you want to.
6. 
   6
   Clean the rim with a cotton swab. Get some spit on a cotton swab and rub it firmly around the rim to clean any residue off of there.
7. 
   7
   Shine your pipe with olive oil. Some people think this is necessary, others don't like it. Do whatever you prefer.
8. 
   8
   Clean your pipe regularly. Don't leave it until it gets really awful: clean your pipe regularly!
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Cleaning a Glass Pipe

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1. 
   1
   Pour salt into the bowl and mouthpiece. Epsom salt is good but table salt works too.
2. 
   2
   Put the pipe in a small container. This container should be as close as possible to the size of the pipe. It should also need to be fairly sturdy (not made of super cheap plastic) because you will be putting harsh chemicals or very hot water into it.
3. 
   3
   Pour in rubbing alcohol, vinegar, or mouthwash. Now, which cleaning solution you should use is a matter of debate. Rubbing alcohol works great but it can destroy the colors of your pipe or possibly leave unhealthy residues. Alternatively, you can use vinegar or Listerine and mix it with very hot water. Whatever you use, pour the mix into the container.
4. 
   4
   Let your pipe soak for 5 minutes. Swish it around and let it soak for at least 5 minutes.
5. 
   5
   Rinse your pipe thoroughly with water. Take it out of the cleaning solution and rinse it really thoroughly with hot water. Be careful not to drop your pipe while rinsing.
6. 
   6
   Clean off any remaining residue with pipe cleaners or a cotton swab. Use pipe cleaners, cotton swabs, and paper towels to remove any remaining residue.
7. 
   7
   Repeat as necessary. If you haven't cleaned your pipe in a long time, it may take two or three rounds of this process before it is completely clean. Clean your pipe regularly to avoid this.

   • Make sure your pipe is thoroughly rinsed before smoking with it!
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Things You'll Need

• 1 Pipe
• 1 Pack of Pipe Cleaners
• 1 Pipe Knocker
• 1 bottle cleaning solvent
• 1 bottle metal polish
• 1 bottle briar pipe wipe
• 2 cloths
• 1 pipe tool