I am looking at a pipe on Ebay and considering buying it. I am a newbie and this would be my first briar. My biggest concern is how to properly clean and sanitize it without hurting it. I have read about using alcohol, but don't know if the pipe should be dipped, wiped, soaked etc. My inclination (fear of the black plague and other creepy things) would be to soak the thing for a day or two in mouthwash. Could someone provide some specific instructions? Is there anything else I am missing or should consider. Thanks.
Sanitizing an Ebay Pipe
- Thread starter jjm1
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Welcome to fun and fascinating world of estate pipe restoration! I'm just a hobbyist in this, but their are some here who take pipe restoration to very high standards. I will say you should search out the many youtube videos available on the subject. Take a look at the Reborn Pipes blog and search this site for tons of information. That's what I did to get started.
For now, please don't use mouthwash!
For now, please don't use mouthwash!
There have been a lot of discussions here regarding cleaning. You can do a Google search using pipesmagazine and the subject to find info. Here's a short list that I made in another thread:
http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/how-often-do-you-clean-your-pipes
http://pipesmagazine.com/python/general-pipe-section/routine-tobacco-pipe-cleaning-with-videos/
http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/cleaning-an-estate-pipe
http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/how-you-clean-your-pipe-after-smoking
http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/how-often-to-clean-your-pipe
http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/pipe-cleaning-and-what-alcohol-to-use
http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/bowl-rim-residue-after-cleaning
http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/how-to-clean-charring-around-rim-of-pipes
http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/pipe-cleaned-with-whiskey
http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/alcohol-cleaning-salt-vs-cotton-ball
http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/question-from-a-new-member-cleaning-pipe-stem
http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/suitable-solvents-for-pipe-cleaning
http://pipesmagazine.com/python/tag/how-to-clean-your-pipe/
http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/using-isopropyl-alcohol-to-clean-your-pipe
http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/pipe-cleaning-with-high-proof-spirits
http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/how-often-do-you-clean-your-pipes
http://pipesmagazine.com/python/general-pipe-section/routine-tobacco-pipe-cleaning-with-videos/
http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/cleaning-an-estate-pipe
http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/how-you-clean-your-pipe-after-smoking
http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/how-often-to-clean-your-pipe
http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/pipe-cleaning-and-what-alcohol-to-use
http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/bowl-rim-residue-after-cleaning
http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/how-to-clean-charring-around-rim-of-pipes
http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/pipe-cleaned-with-whiskey
http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/alcohol-cleaning-salt-vs-cotton-ball
http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/question-from-a-new-member-cleaning-pipe-stem
http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/suitable-solvents-for-pipe-cleaning
http://pipesmagazine.com/python/tag/how-to-clean-your-pipe/
http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/using-isopropyl-alcohol-to-clean-your-pipe
http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/pipe-cleaning-with-high-proof-spirits
All the sources above should give you plenty to work with when it comes to "how the hell do I do this." I buy estates most of the time for the fact that it is not only economical but something to do. I can get a nice pipe (subjective) and give myself a small project to work on. Most of the pipes I buy take me a few hours to make smokeable. If you just want to sanitize the damn thing, Everclear, salt and pipe cleaners will do just fine as a tool kit.
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