Wiping mouthpiece with wet wipes and sanitizer alcohol?

[Dmitri1516]

Hi guys, I got a weird question. Is it okay to wipe my mouthpiece with wet wipes with sanitizer alcohol? Like would it spoil the pipe ?

Thanks

 

[ARTOPUT]

Hi guys, I got a weird question. Is it okay to wipe my mouthpiece with wet wipes with sanitizer alcohol? Like would it spoil the pipe ?

Thanks

On a couple of estate pipes, I have gotten I used alcohol on the stems to clean them. Which really brought forth oxidation that was in the stems. I had to put a lot of work into rubbing out the oxidation after using alcohol on them. Just a heads up on that.

 

[Dmitri1516]

On a couple of estate pipes, I have gotten I used alcohol on the stems to clean them. Which really brought forth oxidation that was in the stems. I had to put a lot of work into rubbing out the oxidation after using alcohol on them. Just a heads up on that.

I only wipe the mouthpiece cos it accidentally touched the lid of my dustbin

 

[burleybreath]

On a couple of estate pipes, I have gotten I used alcohol on the stems to clean them. Which really brought forth oxidation that was in the stems. I had to put a lot of work into rubbing out the oxidation after using alcohol on them. Just a heads up on that.

Yep. And acrylic stems shouldn't have alcohol applied to them, due to its creating micro-fractures over time. (I learned that on these pages.) Plain warm water, perhaps with a drop of soap, should be sufficient for cleaning pipe stems, unless you're living in a pipe smoker commune or something weird like that, where everything is shared. I clean mine whenever they're obviously gross, and lick cooties the rest of the time, with no adverse effects to my health or well-being. YMMV [stupid required disclaimer to prove I'm humble and no certified authority]

 

[Dmitri1516]

Is this acrylic?

 

[Dmitri1516]

Its only 1 time tho. I won't do it again.

 

[STP]

Is this acrylic?

Looks like ebonite/vulcanite, but as mentioned, alcohol can create micro-fractures in acrylic and lucite.

 

[Dmitri1516]

Looks like ebonite/vulcanite, but as mentioned, alcohol can create micro-fractures in acrylic and lucite.

It's only 1 time. I won't do it again. It won't affect anything right?

 

[ARTOPUT]

It's only 1 time. I won't do it again. It won't affect anything right?

you should be fine.

 

[bullet08]

Dustbin? What's wrong with just wiping off with whatever you are wearing? I'm sure your stem is fine. Just don't do it again!

 

[OzPiper]

I don't know too many who would clean their mouths with hand sanitisers.
So why use it on a mouthpiece ?

Just go with soap and cold water
Using hot water or alcohol on an old vulcanite stem can bring out the oxidation onto the surface

 

[ThermionicScott]

Yep. And acrylic stems shouldn't have alcohol applied to them, due to its creating micro-fractures over time. (I learned that on these pages.) Plain warm water, perhaps with a drop of soap, should be sufficient for cleaning pipe stems, unless you're living in a pipe smoker commune or something weird like that, where everything is shared. I clean mine whenever they're obviously gross, and lick cooties the rest of the time, with no adverse effects to my health or well-being. YMMV [stupid required disclaimer to prove I'm humble and no certified authority]

I had no idea, thank you for posting this!

 

[Briar’s Echo]

This is great information. Thanks all.

 

[nolan613]

My experience is that the only alcohol allowed near my pipes would be a 12 year old single malt whiskey. ; )

 

[cigrmaster]

The only thing I put on my stems to clean them is Everclear. If I can't drink it it doesn't get on my pipe.

 

[Gojira]

and lick cooties the rest of the time

Freakin' hilarious!

 

[Ahi Ka]

3 second rule. Your stem didn’t need cleaning

 

[Searock Fan]

As usual, a lot of different ideas and suggestions. Most of my pipes have lucite stems and many are over 50 years old. None of them have ever had the alcohol treatment. Just pipe cleaners and the occasional wipe around the mouth piece with a dry tissue and that's it.

 

[HawkeyeLinus]

Seeing “wet wipes” brings back horrific images and sensory memories related to changing diapers from almost 30 years ago that now make fixing breakfast seem unlikely.