The annual spring deep-clean is a great time to shake off all of the dust and clutter accumulated during the cold winter months and start the new season with a fresh outlook and clean surroundings. For smokers, this cleaning spree should also include the area where you smoke and all of the gear that you use frequently.

Smoking is a soothing pastime and having clean equipment and a pristine space to do it will only improve your smoking experiences for the rest of the year. To help you properly tackle this part of your spring cleaning project, we’re put together this complete guide to cleaning your smoking area and gear:

Smoking Area Cleaning Checklist

First and foremost, you’ll want to do an overall sweep of the area to remove any unnecessary waste and scraps. This is also a good time to make sure all your gear is accounted for and in its proper place. Go through the following checklist of simple cleaning tasks to get your smoking zone organized and polished:

• Check beneath tables and chairs for compact equipment or lost items.
• Vacuum the surrounding floor to remove dust, dirt, and excess ash. This will help enhance the air quality as well.
• Scan the area below your sofa and between the cushions. You never know what forgotten smoking equipment pieces may be hiding there.
• Check the ceilings above your smoking area. Dust and ash often cling to light fixtures and ceiling paint.
• Wipe the tabletops and counters in your space. You can simply use water, disinfectant wipes, or specialized smoking cleaning Piece Water to get the job done.
• Cleanse the air. Lingering smells left from fumes or ash can be resolved with fresheners from Orange Chronic, Puffs Pendy Melts Scented Candles, or incense from Wild Berry.
• Recycle any old product boxes or miscellaneous pieces of paper.
• Utilize storage to organize gear and anything else you want to keep in the area.

Cleaning Your Smoke Gear

Pipes

Having freshly washed pipes will enhance both the power and flavor of your smoke sessions. You will need:

• Small sealable bag
• 99% isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol)
• Table or epsom salt
• Water
• Pipe cleaner, or cotton swab

Place your pipe in the small, sealable bag and fill it with rubbing alcohol and a teaspoon of salt so the whole pipe is submerged. Gently shake the bag so that the solution covers the whole pipe and gets in all nooks. Let it soak for at least an hour. After soaking, remove the pipe from the bag and rinse under warm water for 30 seconds. Flush out any remaining residue from inside the pipe by running water through it. If there is still tough residue left, you can remove it with a pipe cleaner or cotton swab, like Glob Mops. Let it dry completely before resuming use.

Grinders

A clean grinder can protect you from accumulation of materials and harmful mold that make getting a smooth grind difficult. You will need:

• Large glass jar or large sealable bag
• 99% isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol)
• Soft-bristled toothbrush
• Toothpicks or cotton swabs
• Water
• Dish towel

Start by deconstructing your grinder. Any loose material that falls out can be dumped or saved for your next session. Put the grinder chambers into a large glass jar or sealable bag and fill with isopropyl alcohol until all parts are immersed. Let it soak for approximately half an hour. Move the container around in the solution every 10 minutes or so to get the remnants of plants to separate. After soaking, take the toothbrush and lightly scrub each section. Rinse under warm water and place on a fresh towel to let dry. If there is still tough residue on the lid or along the grinding teeth, you can gently pick them away with a toothpick or a cotton swab.

Rolling Trays & Ashtrays

Keeping the surfaces of your rolling trays and ashtrays is an often overlooked, yet crucial, step in ensuring a better smoke. For rolling trays, ash and plant particles can build up over time making it more difficult to get a clean, smooth roll. And for ashtrays, the pile-up of this residue can result in lingering odors or mold. For a quick fix, you can simply put your metal or plastic rolling tray or ashtray (not wooden trays) in the dishwasher. If you want to ensure the deepest clean though, follow the below instruction for each.

For metal or plastic rolling trays, you will need:

• Diluted vinegar, isopropyl alcohol, or household cleaner
• Spray bottle
• Dish towel
• Water
• Optional:
  • Plastic knife, for residue removal
  • Toothpick or cotton swab

Start by removing any dry debris from the surface. Add vinegar, rubbing alcohol, or other household cleaners, to a spray bottle or directly to a towel and coat the surface of the tray. Let sit for 15-20 seconds before wiping down with a dry, clean washcloth. Finally, rinse under warm water and let dry before next use. If there is still tough residue stuck to the tray, resist the urge to utilize a knife or other metal object to scrape. This can cause irreversible damage and will affect the design. Instead, use plastic or rubber objects to try and dislodge the material. A toothpick or cotton swab can also be utilized.

For wooden rolling trays, you will need:

• Diluted vinegar
• Dish towel
• Optional:
  • Dish scrubber

You should avoid the use of water or thick liquids. Immersing wooden trays in these can bring on structural damage that will affect future rolls and can also lead to mold if the tray soaks up too much. We suggest removing residue from wooden gear with the help of diluted vinegar. Using a cloth towel with enough vinegar to apply a thin layer, wipe the wooden surface down. Scrub gently with a soft, dry washcloth or dish scrubber to remove any remaining residue.

For ash trays, you will need:

• Furniture polish or disinfectant wipes
• Dish towel
• Optional:
  • Dish scrubber

Ashtray cleaning is fairly straightforward and can be handled quickly. For the best clean, spritz the interior using furniture polish. We suggest furniture polish as the primary option because it can stop ashes from clinging to your tray in the future. If you don’t have access to furniture polish, disinfectant wipes, or Formula 420 can also be effective. Once you applied the solution, wipe with a clean, dry towel to remove cleaner and debris. For stubborn ash and residue, use a dish scrubber to gently remove.

Conclusion

Adding your smoking area and gear to your spring cleaning list is not only beneficial for general sanitization and neatness but can also prolong the life of your equipment and enhance your future smoking sessions. For help on finding the best cleaning equipment and smoking gear solutions and any other questions,  contact us today.