Using Snips to Maximize Pipe Cleaner Use

[turbomunkey]

EDIT: Fixed Capitalization in Title (See Rule 9)

I finally put fourth the effort to sit down with my pipe collection and clean them all. As I’m sitting here I remembered a little trick I’ve developed; when using the pipe cleaners I utilize both ends during the process, but it still leaves approximately half of the cleaner unused (the middle portion) so what I do is grab my side cutters from the tool box and clip off the used ends, then I can use the remainder and not have any going to waste. Hope this helps someone, or maybe it’s just common knowledge.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Small pipes? I usually walk away with a brown cleaner after using both ends.

 

[wolflarsen]

Maximize pipe cleaner use?
I've been using the same one for the last 6 years.
Just toss it in the dishwasher every evening and it's good as new for the next day.

 

[turbomunkey]

Small pipes? I usually walk away with a brown cleaner after using both ends.

I typically separate the stem and clean a pipe in two parts. Am I doing it wrong

 

[rajangan]

My buddy puts them in the dishwasher.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

I use both and then bend it to clean the bowl. When I look to save money, penny items usually don’t make it onto my list.

 

[greeneyes]

I think if I considered my expenditure of pipe cleaners it would likely be at the expense of some degree of casual enjoyment, so I do not.

 

[Richmond B. Funkenhouser]

Extreme Cheapskates..

 

[turbomunkey]

I use both and then bend it to clean the bowl. When I look to save money, penny items usually don’t make it onto my list.

I’m a product of my father in that regard. You run dry cleaner inside the bowl to knock out the loose stuff?

 

[jaytex1969]

I cut a few with a set of shears a long time ago. I found that the shears bent the new cut tip ever so slightly and caused it to scrape inside the stem in many cases.

I guess the side cutters would make a nicer cut and not bend the new end. I may try that one day. I usually use one cleaner per pipe in routine use, but for the periodic mass cleaning days, it would be helpful to reduce the pile of dirties by a third or so,

 

[peregrinus]

The idea of cleaning and reusing pipe cleaners surfaces here every so often.
For me there are some things like TP, cat litter and pipe cleaners that are intended to be used only once.

 

[Merton]

there is a large online shopping site which offers some Prime purchasing of B.J. Long cleaners: 560 for $14.99 with no cost shipping. Just a thought...

 

[mingc]

You one and done types are clearly not from Puritan stock.

 

[ashdigger]

I wonder if Geico makes pipe cleaners

 

[mso489]

I take it as a useful suggestion. Usually I can get both ends dirty enough, and the middle at least somewhat dirty not to do this, but for multiple pipes, I think it might serve a purpose. I don't think it is a matter of economy, though I do enjoy being thrifty. I think it is just a sense of efficiency; if you can get more out of an item, a Kleenex or a toothpick, why not? I'll sure remember this, should the apparent need arise. Laundering them is a bridge too far, to my mind, unless I found myself in short supply for some reason.

 

[Chasing Embers]

I typically separate the stem and clean a pipe in two parts. Am I doing it wrong

Not at all, I do the same.

 

[olkofri]

I typically separate the stem and clean a pipe in two parts. Am I doing it wrong

No. That's the best way to do it, and the only way for filtered pipes.

 

[dmcmtk]

I snip tapered cleaners when cleaning the shank's airway on estates. I use a pair of Wustof kitchen shears.

 

[SpookedPiper]

Washing a pipe cleaner or snipping it to use the center that still dirty but less so sounds a bit much....they are essential to the process but not worth the effort to me.
To each their own..

 

[warren]

I clean pipes because it's necessary, I don't enjoy spending time doing so but, tools should be kept in order. Ergo, I swab with cleaners until one emerges unsullied. I have no wish to cut, wash or otherwise be economical with pipe cleaners. They're cheap, useful and I have no need to be "Scrooge like", penny pinching when I have better things I could be doing.

That said, if such behavior fits your personality, keep on keeping on. More power to you.