How To Clean A Pipe (with Pictures) - WikiHow

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow The Best Way to Clean Your Tobacco or Glass Pipe PDF download Download Article 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 X

This article was co-authored by Bruna Coutinho. Bruna Coutinho is a Cleaning Expert and owner of Bruna’s Cleaning Services based in Wilmington, Delaware. With over 10 years of experience and over 200 recurring customers, Bruna's Cleaning Services provides a variety of cleaning solutions to the DE, NJ, and PA areas. While boasting eco-friendly cleaning practices, some of Bruna’s specialties include Deep Cleaning, Commercial Cleaning, Post Construction Cleaning, and Airbnb Cleaning. In 2023, Bruna's Cleaning Services was voted a Neighborhood Fave on Nextdoor. This article has been viewed 244,014 times.

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. Watermark wikiHow to Clean a Pipe 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.[1] Blow through the mouthpiece a bit to expel anything that remains.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Clean a Pipe 2 Remove the stem or mouthpiece. This may require a slight tug or turn.[2] Advertisement
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Clean a Pipe 3 Clean the stem with a pipe cleaner. Run a pipe cleaner back and forth through the stem to clean it.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Clean a Pipe 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. Watermark wikiHow to Clean a Pipe 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. Watermark wikiHow to Clean a Pipe 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. Watermark wikiHow to Clean a Pipe 7 Shine your pipe with olive oil. Some people think this is necessary, others don't like it. Do whatever you prefer.
  8. Watermark wikiHow to Clean a Pipe 8 Clean your pipe regularly. Don't leave it until it gets really awful: clean your pipe regularly![3]
    9. Advertisement
Method 2 Method 2 of 2:

Cleaning a Glass Pipe

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Clean a Pipe 1 Pour salt into the bowl and mouthpiece. Epsom salt is good but table salt works too.[4]
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Clean a Pipe 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. Watermark wikiHow to Clean a Pipe 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.[5] Whatever you use, pour the mix into the container.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Clean a Pipe 4 Let your pipe soak for 5 minutes. Swish it around and let it soak for at least 5 minutes.[6]
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Clean a Pipe 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. Watermark wikiHow to Clean a Pipe 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. Watermark wikiHow to Clean a Pipe 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!
    8. Advertisement

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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

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References

  1. ↑ https://www.pipesandcigars.com/faq/cleaning-your-pipe.html
  2. ↑ https://www.pipesandcigars.com/faq/cleaning-your-pipe.html
  3. ↑ https://www.smokingpipes.com/information/howto/cleaning.cfm
  4. ↑ Bruna Coutinho. Cleaning Expert. Expert Interview
  5. ↑ Bruna Coutinho. Cleaning Expert. Expert Interview
  6. ↑ Bruna Coutinho. Cleaning Expert. Expert Interview
  7. https://www.smokingpipes.com/information/howto/cleaning.cfm
  8. https://pipedia.org/index.php?title=Pipe_care/cleaning

About This Article

Bruna Coutinho Co-authored by: Bruna Coutinho Cleaning Expert This article was co-authored by Bruna Coutinho. Bruna Coutinho is a Cleaning Expert and owner of Bruna’s Cleaning Services based in Wilmington, Delaware. With over 10 years of experience and over 200 recurring customers, Bruna's Cleaning Services provides a variety of cleaning solutions to the DE, NJ, and PA areas. While boasting eco-friendly cleaning practices, some of Bruna’s specialties include Deep Cleaning, Commercial Cleaning, Post Construction Cleaning, and Airbnb Cleaning. In 2023, Bruna's Cleaning Services was voted a Neighborhood Fave on Nextdoor. This article has been viewed 244,014 times. How helpful is this? Co-authors: 20 Updated: June 11, 2025 Views: 244,014 Categories: Pipe Smoking Article SummaryX

You should clean your tobacco pipe after every use. To do so, let the pipe cool, then tap it to get rid of any ash and tobacco from the bowl. Next, remove the mouthpiece by tugging or turning it before running a pipe cleaner through it. Then, put 2 pipe cleaners into the shank, and keep cleaning down to the bowl until you've cleared all the residue. Clean the bowl by gently rubbing around the sides with 2 pipe cleaners. Finally, rub a wet a Q-tip around the rim to get rid of residue. To finish, polish your pipe with olive oil. If you want to learn how to clean a marijuana pipe, keep reading the article! Did this summary help you?YesNo

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Reader Success Stories

  • Saurasri S.

    Saurasri S.

    Aug 5, 2023

    "I have been smoking pipes for more than ten years and I try to keep all my pipes as clean as possible. Yet I learnt..." more
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Did this article help you?

Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Bruna Coutinho Co-authored by: Bruna Coutinho Cleaning Expert Click a star to vote Co-authors: 20 Updated: June 11, 2025 Views: 244,014 Saurasri S.

Saurasri S.

Aug 5, 2023

"I have been smoking pipes for more than ten years and I try to keep all my pipes as clean as possible. Yet I learnt..." more Anonymous

Anonymous

Feb 5, 2018

"This is my first time cleaning my pipe, and so far this advice is working amazing! Thank you!" Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories

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