Suitable Solvents for Pipe Cleaning?

[mikestanley]

Quoted " Is it really necessary to use something that strong for routine cleaning anyway?
For me, each of my pipes may get scrubbed with 91% and those little brushes once a year. A pipe cleaner or two after each smoke is generally all I do "day to day". I rarely disassemble pipes much more often than that either. Generally, I do three or four pipes at a time and they don't get smoked for a week or more after. I feel there's no danger in my methods but I'm a cop, not a scientist. (lol)
Mike S.

 

[ravkesef]

Any high proof alcohol would work in terms of its cleaning ability. I would prefer an alcohol that I could drink, but isopropyl in these quantities wouldn't harm you.

 

[carcosa]

Bought a pint of Black Velvet 80 proof whiskey for $4 and it stripped the stain out of the inside bowl of my Peterson without a problem. Used it with a cotton and alchohol treatment too works great!

 

[woodsroad]

I no longer use WD40

Which brings us back to Hoppes #9.

If it cleans a gun, and we all know that guns don't get nearly as filthy as a pipe, then why not? Do NOT use black powder solvent, though, it takes too long to dry.

 

[tbradsim1]

He careful when you poot also.

 

[instymp]

I like Hoppes 9 for cologne. +1 Brad on Kissin here.

 

[zekest]

Which brings us back to Hoppes #9.

Hoppes No 9 Synthetic Blend...is that something new?
Hy house smells like Hoppes often, as in frequently, as both my wife and I are into various shooting sports and the Hoppes No. 9 is a common product around the Zekest household.
Will try that on my pipes next, well, maybe not my Peterson's.
Thank you for the tip!

 

[masterpython]

I picked up some 95% ethanol rubbing alcohol. I think a mickey of everclear is around $20 and I am not spending that much on cleaner.

 

[skapunk1]

Used to use overproof rum, and it does work. I find you have to use a lot more bristled pipe cleaners and more passes with the shank brush, and it does take more time to fully dry.
Had a co-worker passing through the states pick me up a 26er of everclear, $20....love it.
But I only deep clean my heavily rotated pipes every 4-5 months. I find a good paper towel ream and a couple of regular pipe cleaners keep everything in order.

 

[bentbriar]

Wild Turkey 101 - Works for me

 

[tuold]

A fifth of Everclear is about $15 here in Oregon. It's kept behind the counter due to DHS rules, or so the store proprietor said. That much is going to last me several years, I think.

 

[andrew]

I use 98% iso with no problem.

 

[andrew]

I'm quite shocked that so many seasoned pipe smokers here use isopropyl alcohol to clean their pipes. Here in the UK you can only obtain it from janitorial supplies distributors for use as an industrial cleaning solvent

It's also the required ingredient to make cannabis oil, there's a 2 bottle limit behind the counter where I live in Canada.

 

[xoran]

Back in the 70's I actually used Listerine. I don't remember having adverse effects.

For the past few years I've been using Henessy Cognac. I know it is not very high

proof, but it seems to work pretty good.

 

[swampmouth]

Used to use 151, but I haven't needed a solvent for years. Now I'm thinking Rumple Minz. Ummm, menthol.

 

[puffdoggie]

Everclear is my first choice followed by Wild Turkey! Happy Puffin,
Dave

 

[phil22]

Same here. I use Everclear as it is very effective, very cheap, and last a very long time.

 

[johnnyiii]

I am almost done using my store bought bottle of cleen and cure, which seems like a combo of iso alcohol and the listerine mentioned above. Once done I was going to poor into the bottle the 151 everclear I just bought. The clean and cure leaves a mint like wantabe flavor that last a few puffs, and its smell lingers in the chambers. Being cheep though I do not want to throw it away. I am figuring the grain will not leave the smell or taste ghost.

 

[aquilas]

Iso user here and no harsh effects. I use it in my shanks and stems every so often and no types of evil have happened.
I used iso for the salt-alcohol treatment on two pipes I was restoring and originally, those pipes had a smokey, tar-y smell to it. After the treatment, it took on a sweet, chocolatey smell.

 

[virginiacob]

I use Isopropyl alcohol at 70% for cleaning my pipe stems. The alcohol dries rapidly and leaves no residual odor. Years ago I used to work as a health inspector in VA inspecting restaurants and we used to use presoaked, disposable Isopropyl pads to disinfect our food thermometers before inserting the therms into food items to verify proper temperature.
BTW, regarding mouthwash, I'd be a little leery using it on a wooden or a cob pipe. I've been a Civil War reenactor for years and a buddy of mine once decided to "disinfect" his wooden canteen by filling it overnight with Listerine. Poor fella had "Listerine" water for years!