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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow
Categories
Health
Medicines and Drugs
Recreational Drugs
Smoking
Pipe Smoking
How to Clean a Wood Pipe Download Article Co-authored by wikiHow Staff
Last Updated: February 24, 2025
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Performing Basic Maintenance
|
Cleaning the Pipe After Smoking
|
Performing a Deeper Cleaning
|Show more|Show less X
This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff. Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. This article has been viewed 85,724 times. Learn more...
Smoking from a wooden pipe can be a relaxing pastime. Wooden pipes are beautiful pieces that their owners take pride in. However, if you do not clean your wooden pipe regularly, you can limit the life of the pipe. To clean the pipe, clean it after each smoke by removing the ash and running a pipe cleaner through it. After every 10 to 20 uses, do a deeper cleaning where you take the pipe apart and clean it with alcohol.
Steps
Method 1 Method 1 of 3:
Performing Basic Maintenance
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1 Run a pipe cleaner through the pipe before you use it. Even if you have cleaned your pipe after the last time you used it, you should always clean it before you smoke it. Take a pipe cleaner and run it through the pipe. This helps get rid of any remaining ash or dottle.[1]XResearch source
Gently knock the pipe in your palm to get the debris from the bowl.
2 Clean the pipe after each smoke. You should always clean your pipe after you smoke. Never allow the ash and debris to remain in the pipe. However, make sure you let the pipe cool completely before cleaning. Never clean while it is warm.
If you remove the stem while it is warm, it will mess up the fit of the stem and cause cracks in the pipe.
3 Notice the signs that your pipe needs cleaning. As you smoke your pipe, you will be able to tell if it needs a good cleaning. The taste should be pleasant when you smoke. If you start to notice a change in taste, such as a salty, sour, or bad taste, you probably need to clean it.
4 Let the pipe sit before smoking. Because you cleaned your pipe with alcohol, you want to make sure that you let the pipe sit for at least a day, if not more, before smoking. This ensures that the alcohol completely evaporates.[2]XResearch source
Method 2 Method 2 of 3:
Cleaning the Pipe After Smoking
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1 Shake your pipe. After the pipe has cooled, shake the pipe. Make sure to put a finger over the bowl so the ash doesn't go everywhere. Do this for a few seconds. Then, pour the ash and debris out of the bowl.
If you can't get everything out when you pour, use the pipe tool with the spoon end to scoop out the ashes.
Shaking the pipe with the ash still in it helps to form cake on the inside of the bowl, which helps prolong the life of the pipe.
2 Clean the pipe with a pipe cleaner. After dumping the ash and dottle, blow through the stem to get rid of any excess ash and dottle. Then, use a pipe cleaner to clean the pipe. Start with a bristle pipe cleaner. Push the pipe cleaner through the stem of the pipe. The tip of the pipe cleaner should be the only part visible. Then remove it.
Afterwards, you can use the other side of the pipe cleaner or use a clean pipe cleaner to do the same thing.
Do this until the pipe cleaner is clean when you remove it.
3 Wipe the mouthpiece. Use a damp pipe cleaner to clean the mouthpiece. You can dampen the pipe cleaner with saliva. Rub the pipe cleaner around the mouthpiece to remove any debris lingering on it.[3]XResearch source
Blow through the stem to blow out any ash or debris.
4 Wipe the pipe before putting it up. Take a soft cloth to wipe down your pipe after you have cleaned the inside. To preserve the wood, you may want to use a cloth dampened with olive oil or a special wood pipe cleaning cloth.[4]XResearch source
Place the pipe on the shelf.
If you are concerned about moisture in the stem, you can leave a pipe cleaner in it to soak up moisture.
Method 3 Method 3 of 3:
Performing a Deeper Cleaning
Download Article
1 Run a pipe cleaner with alcohol through the stem. Separate the stem and the bowl. Moisten a pipe cleaner with alcohol, and then run the pipe cleaner through the stem. Make sure to pull it all the way through. After you have pulled the damp pipe cleaner through, run a dry one through.
The pipe cleaner will probably have black and brown debris on it. Continue doing this until the pipe cleaner doesn't have any debris on it when you push it through.
You can use isopropyl alcohol or grain alcohol.
If it is available to you, you can also purchase pipe cleaning solution.
2 Clean the airhole with a bristle pipe cleaner. The airhole should be cleaned with a bristle pipe cleaner that has been dipped in alcohol. Use this pipe cleaner to wipe the airhole, and follow that with a dry regular pipe cleaner.
There should be some resistance. If the airhole is too large, then fold the pipe cleaner in half.
Do this until the pipe cleaner you scrub through the airhole comes out without any debris.
3 Clean the mortise. The mortise is the place where the stem connects to the bowl. This can also get dirty, so use a cotton swab or shank brush to do this. Clean it until there is no residual ash or dark residue on the brush or swab.[5]XResearch source
4 Clean the rim of the bowl. When the rim of the bowl starts to get a dark, ashy look, you should clean it. Take a damp pipe cleaner and wipe around the rim. This gets rid of any charring that begins around the rim from the flame of your lighter.[6]XResearch source
This usually occurs from lighting the pipe.
5 Polish the band. Many pipes have metal bands around them. When you do a deep cleaning, polish the band. Use a metal polish to do this. If your band is made of silver, use silver polish.[7]XResearch source
6 Avoid getting the alcohol on the outside of the pipe. While cleaning the pipe, avoid getting any alcohol on the outside. This will mess up the finish, stain, or detail on the outside. Use care to keep the alcohol on the pipe cleaner.
This is also true for any pipe cleaning solution. Keep it away from the outside of the pipe.
7 Ream the bowl when the cake becomes too thick. When the cake, the protective layer of ash, gets too thick, you need to ream the bowl. Reaming the bowl means scraping off some of the cake. You can use a reamer, which you can buy at a tobacco shop or online. As you clean the inside of the bowl, make sure to go slowly as you shave the cake. Don't pull it out in chunks. You can easily damage or scrape the bowl with the edge of the tool.[8]XResearch source
You can also use the blunt knife tool that came with your pipe tools. This can clean the cake in an uneven way or dig into the wood. You can also use wooden dowels that have been wrapped in sandpaper or grit cloth.
The cake should only be about 1/16 in or 1.5 mm in thickness. Anything larger than that should be reamed.
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Co-authored by: wikiHow Staff wikiHow Staff Writer This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff. Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. This article has been viewed 85,724 times. 65 votes - 84% Co-authors: 7Updated: February 24, 2025 Views: 85,724 Categories: Pipe SmokingArticle SummaryX
Before you clean your wood pipe, make sure it’s cool to the touch, since removing the stem while it’s warm can cause cracks in your pipe. Once it’s cool enough, put your finger over the bowl and shake the pipe a few times to loosen the ash. Then, dump the ash into the trash and blow through the stem to get rid of any remaining debris. Follow up by pushing a pipe cleaner through the stem and removing it once the tip of the cleaner is visible. Repeat the process with a new pipe cleaner until the pipe cleaner comes out clean. Finish by running a pipe cleaner dampened with saliva around the mouthpiece to remove any lingering debris. To learn more, including how to deep clean your pipe with rubbing alcohol, scroll down!Did this summary help you?YesNo
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Yes No Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Co-authored by: wikiHow Staff wikiHow Staff Writer Co-authors: 7Updated: February 24, 2025 Views: 85,72484% of readers found this article helpful. 65 votes - 84% Click a star to add your vote
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Download Article Co-authored by wikiHow Staff 
Simple Ways to Clean a Clogged Pipe Screen (and Weed Pipes Too) 
Co-authored by: wikiHow Staff wikiHow Staff Writer This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff. Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. This article has been viewed 85,724 times. 65 votes - 84% Co-authors: 7 Updated: February 24, 2025 Views: 85,724 Categories: Pipe Smoking Article SummaryX
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1 Run a pipe cleaner through the pipe before you use it. Even if you have cleaned your pipe after the last time you used it, you should always clean it before you smoke it. Take a pipe cleaner and run it through the pipe. This helps get rid of any remaining ash or dottle.[1] 
2 Clean the pipe after each smoke. You should always clean your pipe after you smoke. Never allow the ash and debris to remain in the pipe. However, make sure you let the pipe cool completely before cleaning. Never clean while it is warm. 
3 Notice the signs that your pipe needs cleaning. As you smoke your pipe, you will be able to tell if it needs a good cleaning. The taste should be pleasant when you smoke. If you start to notice a change in taste, such as a salty, sour, or bad taste, you probably need to clean it. 
4 Let the pipe sit before smoking. Because you cleaned your pipe with alcohol, you want to make sure that you let the pipe sit for at least a day, if not more, before smoking. This ensures that the alcohol completely evaporates.[2] 
1 Shake your pipe. After the pipe has cooled, shake the pipe. Make sure to put a finger over the bowl so the ash doesn't go everywhere. Do this for a few seconds. Then, pour the ash and debris out of the bowl. 
2 Clean the pipe with a pipe cleaner. After dumping the ash and dottle, blow through the stem to get rid of any excess ash and dottle. Then, use a pipe cleaner to clean the pipe. Start with a bristle pipe cleaner. Push the pipe cleaner through the stem of the pipe. The tip of the pipe cleaner should be the only part visible. Then remove it. 
3 Wipe the mouthpiece. Use a damp pipe cleaner to clean the mouthpiece. You can dampen the pipe cleaner with saliva. Rub the pipe cleaner around the mouthpiece to remove any debris lingering on it.[3] 
4 Wipe the pipe before putting it up. Take a soft cloth to wipe down your pipe after you have cleaned the inside. To preserve the wood, you may want to use a cloth dampened with olive oil or a special wood pipe cleaning cloth.[4] 
1 Run a pipe cleaner with alcohol through the stem. Separate the stem and the bowl. Moisten a pipe cleaner with alcohol, and then run the pipe cleaner through the stem. Make sure to pull it all the way through. After you have pulled the damp pipe cleaner through, run a dry one through. 
2 Clean the airhole with a bristle pipe cleaner. The airhole should be cleaned with a bristle pipe cleaner that has been dipped in alcohol. Use this pipe cleaner to wipe the airhole, and follow that with a dry regular pipe cleaner. 
3 Clean the mortise. The mortise is the place where the stem connects to the bowl. This can also get dirty, so use a cotton swab or shank brush to do this. Clean it until there is no residual ash or dark residue on the brush or swab.[5] 
4 Clean the rim of the bowl. When the rim of the bowl starts to get a dark, ashy look, you should clean it. Take a damp pipe cleaner and wipe around the rim. This gets rid of any charring that begins around the rim from the flame of your lighter.[6] 
5 Polish the band. Many pipes have metal bands around them. When you do a deep cleaning, polish the band. Use a metal polish to do this. If your band is made of silver, use silver polish.[7] 
6 Avoid getting the alcohol on the outside of the pipe. While cleaning the pipe, avoid getting any alcohol on the outside. This will mess up the finish, stain, or detail on the outside. Use care to keep the alcohol on the pipe cleaner. 
7 Ream the bowl when the cake becomes too thick. When the cake, the protective layer of ash, gets too thick, you need to ream the bowl. Reaming the bowl means scraping off some of the cake. You can use a reamer, which you can buy at a tobacco shop or online. As you clean the inside of the bowl, make sure to go slowly as you shave the cake. Don't pull it out in chunks. You can easily damage or scrape the bowl with the edge of the tool.[8] 