No! Run a pipe cleaner down the stem when you have finished smoking the pipe. Wipe the bowl out or scrape out with a knife blade if you hammer your pipes like I do and all will be fine. Do not put any form of solvent near these pipes as you will destroy the wax shell. If you smoke the old ones like I do you can use a damp rag to wipe a pipe over as they are pretty well cured after 100+ years.