Cleaning and maintaining your dab rig is essential to avoid harmful bacteria and viruses and keep your dabs tasting great. If you follow these five easy tips, your rig will stay clean and ready to use!
Cleaning your rig only takes three basic items you already have around the house. The first item is rubbing alcohol or isopropyl alcohol.
Isopropyl Alcohol
Isopropyl alcohol is the go-to cleaner for dab rigs. It’s powerful enough to break down residue but gentle enough not to damage your rig. Combined with cotton swabs and salt (a natural abrasive to help break down stubborn residue), isopropyl alcohol is one of the best ways to clean your rig.
To make the cleaning process as quick and painless as possible:
- Start by disassembling your rig. This will allow you to clean each part of your rig thoroughly.
- Pour some isopropyl alcohol into a resealable Ziplock bag and add coarse salt.
- Put each removable piece of your rig into its bag, and shake vigorously. This will break down any rock-solid residue and leave your rig squeaky clean.
Cotton Swabs
A dab rig is a complex piece of equipment that requires proper care and maintenance. Keeping a clean dab rig will ensure you get the most out of your concentrates and allow for more accurate inhalation.
Cotton swabs will help you clean the hard-to-reach areas of your dab rig and banger. While a standard cotton swab that you would use in your ears works just fine, you can also purchase specialized cotton swabs for dabbing and cleaning that are specifically designed to fit into tight spaces.
If you prefer not to use rubbing alcohol, you can substitute it with hot water and coarse salt. It’s recommended to fully clean your dab rig every 3 to 6 months. If you’re a frequent dabper, a more frequent cleaning may be necessary.
Salt
Dabbing is a messy process, and the water in a dab rig can become dirty with residue from a single session. If not cleaned properly, the dirty water can form a slimy layer known as biofilm, which harbors viruses, bacteria, and mildew. This can lead to nasty tastes and smells and a less-than-satisfying experience when using your dab rig.
The best way to avoid this is by cleaning your dab rig regularly. To do this, you will need your rig and nail, a torch, rubbing alcohol, coarse salt, and a resealable plastic bag or container. Put your dirty rig and banger inside the plastic bag and shake vigorously until all the resin dissolves. Once the soaking process is over, rinse your rig thoroughly and allow it to dry before use Orviri.
Paper Towels
A dirty rig isn’t just gross, it can also affect the quality of your dabs. Keeping your dab rig clean ensures a smooth, enjoyable experience.
Cleaning your dab rig doesn’t have to be a chore. With the right supplies, keeping your rig sparkling clean for years is easy.
Start with 99% isopropyl alcohol and some cotton swabs. Use them to sanitize your dab nail and get into all the nooks and crannies. Then, combine salt with the alcohol to scrub away any residue left behind. Once everything is clean and dry, reassemble your dab rig. For a bonus, pick up a few packs of zero-waste paper towels. Look for a brand with extra perforations and the option to cut off exactly how much you need for each job.
Acetone
Every time you use your dab rig, it picks up microscopic resin particles from your concentrate. Regular cleaning prevents these residues from tainting your dab sessions and allows you to savor your favorite concentrates’ nuanced flavor profiles.
The best way to keep your rig clean is to change the water after each session. This will eliminate the bacteria that can harbor everything from Strep and E. coli to black mildew.
To make your rig easy to clean:
- Put each removable piece in a Ziplock bag with isopropyl alcohol and coarse salt.
- Shake the bag vigorously to break up the hardened residue joinpd.
- Rinse each piece thoroughly. If needed, you can add a bit more isopropyl alcohol to the bags to help dissolve any remaining residue.
