Spilled bong water is one of the worst smells there is. It's a mix of old resin, ash, and bacteria, and it soaks into anything soft. The good news: if you act fast and use the right stuff, you can get it out. Here's how, surface by surface.
First: Blot, Don't Rub
Whatever you spilled on, start the same way. Grab a dry towel and press down hard to soak up as much water as you can. Don't scrub. Scrubbing pushes it deeper into the fibers and spreads the stain. Keep blotting with a dry part of the towel until nothing more comes up.
How to Get Bong Water Out of Carpet
- Blot up everything you can.
- Spray with an enzyme cleaner (the kind made for pet accidents). Enzymes break down the organic stuff that causes the smell instead of just covering it. Let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes.
- No enzyme cleaner? Mix equal parts white vinegar and water, spray it on, let it sit for 10 minutes, and blot.
- Cover the spot with baking soda once it's damp, not soaked. Leave it for a few hours or overnight. It pulls out leftover odor as it dries.
- Vacuum it up. If you still smell it, repeat once more.
For a brown stain that won't lift, dab on a little 3% hydrogen peroxide. Test it on a hidden spot first, since it can lighten some carpets.
How to Get Bong Water Smell Out of a Mattress or Bed
- Strip the bedding right away and wash it (see clothes below).
- Blot the mattress hard with dry towels. Don't soak it with more liquid.
- Lightly mist with enzyme cleaner or a vinegar and water mix. Blot again.
- Cover the spot in baking soda and let it sit for several hours.
- Vacuum and let it air out completely. A fan and an open window help a lot. A mattress that stays damp will start to smell musty on top of the bong water.
How to Get Bong Water Smell Out of a Car
Cars are the worst because the heat bakes the smell in.
- Blot the seat or floor mat right away.
- Pull out floor mats if you can and clean them outside with enzyme cleaner or dish soap and water.
- Treat seats and carpet with enzyme cleaner, then blot.
- Sprinkle baking soda on fabric seats and carpet, leave it overnight with the windows cracked, and vacuum.
- Leave an open box of baking soda or a bag of activated charcoal in the car for a week to soak up whatever's left.
Leather seats: skip the vinegar and peroxide. Wipe with a damp cloth and a little leather cleaner.
How to Get Bong Water Out of Clothes and Bedding
- Rinse the spot under cold water from the back of the fabric.
- Soak for 30 minutes in cold water with a cup of white vinegar or a scoop of oxygen cleaner.
- Wash as normal. Air dry and give it a sniff before it goes in the dryer. Heat can lock in both stains and smells.
How to Get Bong Water Smell Off Your Hands
Wash with dish soap and warm water, then rub your hands with a little lemon juice or a stainless steel spoon under running water. Rubbing alcohol works too, but it'll dry out your skin.
Clearing the Smell From the Air
Open windows and run a fan pointed out. Bowls of baking soda, white vinegar, or activated charcoal around the room soak up odor over a day or two. Candles and air fresheners only cover it up, so deal with the source first.
Why Bong Water Smells So Bad
Every hit leaves ash, resin, and bits of plant in the water. Leave that sitting at room temperature and bacteria start breaking it down, which is where the rotten, swampy smell comes from. The longer it sits, the worse it gets. Fresh bong water after one session barely smells at all.
How to Keep Your Bong From Stinking in the First Place
- Change the water after every session. This is 90% of it. Here's how often you should change your bong water and why.
- Clean it weekly if you smoke daily. Our bong cleaning guide takes about 10 minutes.
- Don't add stuff to the water. Lemon slices and mint sound nice until they start to rot.
- Use a stable bong or a silicone base so it doesn't tip over in the first place.
Our Capsule Water Pipe has a silicone base that grips the table and hides the water, and the whole thing comes apart for a fast rinse. Fewer spills, less smell.
Capsule Water Pipe
FAQ
How long does bong water smell last?
On a hard floor, a day at most once it's cleaned. In carpet or a car it can hang around for weeks if you don't treat it. Enzyme cleaner and baking soda speed that up a lot.
Does baking soda get rid of bong water smell?
Yes. It absorbs odor as it dries. It works best after the spot's been blotted and treated.
Can you put something in bong water to make it smell better?
We wouldn't. Anything besides plain water rots faster and makes cleanup harder. Fresh water is the best smell fix.