Need walk through on cleaning a overly used, never cleaned goard calabash.

[tokerpipes]

So I picked up a goard calabash that didn't have much of a draw. I cleaned it as best I could with out using any alcohol inside the goard. As I am aware these can be very valuable I don't want to mess it up. There is about 2 quarters stacked worth of black gunk layered throughout the intire inside of the goard. I have heard swishing everclear and the salt & everclear method works but when I asked if they have done it on a goard they said no. Has anybody ever done a cleaning like this and the pipe servive? :puffpipe:

 

[lifeon2]

well it sounds like it is thick enough to soak a cottonball in evercleaar and gently scrub it out. If the stem is removable pull it and use pipe cleaners and alchohol. As long as you dont saturate the gourd it shouldnt be an issue.

 

[tokerpipes]

The origional owner never cleaned it I guess. I will try that some, better than soaking the gosrd. Do you know if the salt and alcohol would work without softening the goard walls?

 

[lifeon2]

I'm not sure either thats why I would just stick with scrubbing rather than soaking.

 

[jchaplick]

From what I have people tell each other at my club, you put some alcohol on a very slightly abrasive cloth and scrub, the gourd is supposed to discolor like clays and meers do as well.
Good luck