Mold in Bong: What Does Mold in a Bong Look Like?
You know you’re supposed to change out the bong water often. But we get it…sometimes you just want to pack a bowl and spark up. Now, though, you see what you think is mold in bong. Uh-oh.
Before you freak out, let’s make sure. What does mold in a bong look like? You’re in luck! We actually recently had a customer send us a picture of their moldy bong. Here’s a quick look at some black mold in the joint of a bong:
See that black stuff right in the very middle of the image? Mold! Black mold, to be exact. There is also white mold in bongs all the time, and that looks a little different. No less dangerous to inhale, though.
We’ve actually had quite a few customers send us similar pictures, asking if that is in fact mold they see in their piece. In most cases, the answer was yes. So, we decided it was time to:
- Show you what mold looks like when it’s taken over a bong
- Share tips on how to clean and prevent moldy bong water.
Keep reading to learn how to clean mold out of a bong. Or better yet, head over to Badass Glass and pick up a new piece if you think you’d rather not smoke out of a moldy bong even if you cleaned the gunk out (we don’t blame you!). You’re due for a new glass bong anyway!
Key Takeaways
- Mold in bong water can form within a few days if water sits stagnant, especially in a warm area.
- Black mold tends to form on the glass itself, usually not where the actual water is sitting.
- White mold can float around within the water or show up as little patches on the glass.
- Smoking from a moldy bong can cause serious respiratory problems.
- Clean your bong with 91% isopropyl alcohol and confirm there is no mold left before using your piece again.
- Dump your water out and add fresh water for each session. Clean your bong once a week. That’s how you prevent mold.
- Badass Glass has your new favorite piece if you decide it’s not worth rolling the dice smoking out of a bong that had mold in it at one point.
What Does Mold in a Bong Look Like?
What’s scary is most people don’t know their bong has mold in it until they’ve been smoking out of it for a while. They chalk up that throat irritation or nasty cough to just the consequences of smoking herb every day. But they could be inhaling mold spores every time they hit their piece!
The tricky part is that mold barely looks like anything at first. Maybe it’s a thin, oily film on the water’s surface. To make matters worse, it could be mistaken for resin build-up - maybe some little floaters from your last rip.
But eventually it becomes obvious you have a moldy bong. It starts to look like fuzzy or slimy patches forming on your glass or floating in the water. Like sediment, or pulp. You may even start to smell it. Your bong’s lovely little stale funk has begun smelling musty or earthy.
So what does mold in a bong look like? There are two types of mold you’ll find in your bong - and they tell you different things about what’s wrong. Obviously, both are a problem. We have some examples of each below.
White Mold in a Bong
Here’s an example of what white mold might look like in your bong:
It’s fuzzy, almost grayish. It might not look like the little white spores you see forming in your houseplant soil if it’s not drying fast enough. Maybe it looks a bit less sinister. But it’s definitely dangerous. It’s often Aspergillus, one of the most common indoor molds according to the CDC.
Black Mold in a Bong
Now, black mold in a bong is different. It’s often harder to spot because it gets mistaken for resin build-up on the walls of your bong, or little particles of burnt flower flowing in the water. You can usually tell it’s black mold because it’s jet black. Just look at the image below:
This is actually a really good image because you can see how it looks compared to the typical bong buildup that you may not think twice about. That buildup is browner. Maybe it has a green tinge to it. But it’s never BLACK. That’s when you know something more dangerous is lurking.
What Causes a Moldy Bong in the First Place?
It makes sense when you think about it. Your bong holds moisture and organic matter in it. No wonder it got moldy! But the two missing pieces are time and stagnant air. That water and plant residue have to sit undisturbed in a slightly warm environment long enough for mold to form.
That’s pretty much what happens every time you put your bong in the bathroom cabinet or in your bedroom closet and don’t touch it for a weekend trip - without emptying the water from it. You’ve inadvertently created the perfect conditions for fungus to thrive.
The problem is a lot worse in more complex pieces, such as a percolator bong. There are more nooks and crannies for moisture and plant matter to get stuck. If your bong is harder to clean, there’s a good chance it’s an easier piece for mold to build up in.
How Fast Does Mold Take Hold in a Bong?
Mold starts taking hold in your bong faster than you’d think. 24 hours of stagnation is all it takes for the moisture and plant matter to start giving way to mold colonization. This is a rare case of someone hitting their bong all day long being safer than someone who hits their piece every few days, or once a week.
Now, you’re not going to see mold in bong water that fast. The visible signs of mold could take 2-3 days to begin forming. The water might just look cloudier, or you see a weird-looking film forming on the glass right above the water line. Eventually, the actual block spots or white patches begin to take hold. This is usually when people actually realize something is wrong.
What to Do About Mold in Bong: Cleaning and Prevention
The good news is you don’t have to toss out your favorite piece just because it has mold in it. You do have to put it through a very strict cleaning protocol, though.
Is it Safe to Smoke Out of a Moldy Bong if You Cleaned it Well?
Let us be very clear - simply dumping out the water, rinsing the bong well, and refilling it is not good enough. Even soap isn’t going to cut it in most cases. You need something stronger that will actually kill the mold.
How to Clean Mold Out of a Bong
Our advice on cleaning a moldy bong is straightforward: isopropyl alcohol. The stronger, the better. But the bare minimum is 91% strength. Here’s how to clean mold out of a bong:
- Dump the water into a drain. Not into a sink full of dishes or your houseplant.
- Rinse the entire piece with hot water to clear out surface gunk that comes away easily.
- Fill the base with at least one finger’s worth of 91%+ isopropyl alcohol.
- Add coarse salt into the bong (some people prefer to skip this step because it can create microabrasions in weaker glass).
- Cover the mouthpiece and downstem hole with a Ziploc bag (or your hand/fingers) and shake vigorously for at least 30-60 seconds.
- Let the piece soak for at least 30 minutes.
- Come back and shake it vigorously for another 30-60 seconds.
- Do you still see mold (or resin, for that matter)? Continue the previous steps as needed until the glass is crystal clear.
- Dump the salt/iso down the drain and then rinse the bong thoroughly with hot water. Shake it really good, dump it, and rinse it some more.
Let the piece air dry completely. Confirm there is no mold left and then you can enjoy a nice clean hit for your hard work!
Note: Do not use isopropyl alcohol with a silicone bong. Glass and acrylic only.
Preventing New Mold From Forming in Your Bong
They say an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. The easiest way to prevent mold from making its way into your bong is to dump the water out after each use and give it a good rinse to remove any plant matter that snuck in.
Storage-wise, keep the bong empty and dry somewhere with decent airflow. That might not be an option if you’re trying to keep the bong discreet and out of sight, though.
We recommend cleaning your bong once a week. Maybe every other week if you don’t smoke very often. The more frequently you clean your bong, though, the less likely mold formation is.
Another pro-tip - add an ash catcher to your bong. This will prevent any organic matter from ever making its way into your bong. Then, you just have to worry about keeping your ash catcher clean!
Frequently asked questions
Can mold grow in a bong?
Yes. The water and plant matter, coupled with the typical storage conditions for a bong (under a sink, in a desk drawer, on a shelf in a closet), create a breeding ground for mold.
What does a moldy bong look like?
Black mold and white mold in a bong look very different. Look for tiny black specs or white patches on the glass, or little white clumps floating in the water. If you even think it’s mold, trust your gut.
What happens if you smoke out of a moldy bong?
Inhaling mold spores can lead to very serious respiratory concerns. Especially if you have a weakened immune system already.
Bottom Line on Mold in Bong Water
That does it for our guide to dealing with a moldy bong. We hope you feel confident in identifying white or black mold in bong at this point and what to do if you see it. More importantly, we hope you heed our advice on preventing it going forward!