How To Correctly Clean Bubble Wash Bags
Viviane Schute
Cannabis enthusiast and student of the art of solventless extraction
✅ Updated 10/29/22
Investing in quality Bubble Wash Bags makes the ice water extraction process easier, more efficient, and enjoyable. The rewards of washing hash with quality supplies become evident in the final product. Once you've made that investment in bubble bags, it's important to know how to maintain them.
Bubble wash bags may not last indefinitely (depending on how you care for them), but they're not one-and-done disposable products either. When cared for and cleaned properly bubble bags can last for years. Cleaning your bubble bags after every use will help extend the lifetime. This keeps your production costs lower over time.
What if you don't regularly clean bubble wash bags?
Bubble bags that aren't correctly cleaned will become clogged and nearly unusable over time. They become caked with hash and won't filter properly. Sometimes these bags can be salvaged with a deep clean.
Cold Water Wash
The best way to care for bubble wash bags is to give them a good cleaning after every use, using the cold water method described below:
Keep a small bucket of ice water set aside during extraction. Immediately after collecting hash from the screens, dip the bubble bags in this ice water and lightly agitate the filters. This ice water should be enough to properly clean the bags, if it’s done immediately after every use.
It’s important not to use warm or hot water, as this will lead to clogged filters. All water used for cleaning should be cold.
Repeat the cold water wash as necessary. For heavy stains, soak the bags in cold water overnight.
For most cleanings, using a high-pressure stream of cold water focused directly onto the clogged pores will release the resin and allow for effective and thorough cleaning.
Do not use detergents or specialized cleaning solvents to clean your bubble bags. If there are heavy stains that can’t be removed with cold water, try the isopropyl alcohol (ISO) cleaning method. This should be a last resort, only if a high-pressure stream of cold water won't do the trick.
ISO Alcohol
If the bubble wash bag screens become clogged, you may need something more powerful than cold water to salvage the bags. Use isopropyl alcohol on a soft toothbrush to gently remove tough stains. Aim for 70% alcohol, which is gentler on the screens.
Once you’ve cleaned with ISO alcohol, give them another thorough wash with cold water.
Another trick for dirty/damaged bags is to use a mixture of olive oil and cold water to help soften and remove caked hash from the filters. If you try this approach, you’ll need to wash several times with clean cold water to remove any residual olive oil. Otherwise, the oil will linger in your product!
Anything other than cold water used to clean bubble wash bags needs diligent focus to fully rinse away.
Things To Avoid
Don’t wash your bubble wash bags with detergents or place them in a washing machine. Detergents can leave some residuals in your bags, and washing machines can damage the bags due to excessive agitation during the wash cycle. Don’t dry your bags with heat. Let them air dry at room temperature.
If you absolutely must use ISO alcohol to remove tough stains on your bag filters to save the bags from the garbage can, just be gentle, avoid getting the alcohol on the seams of the bags, and make sure you rinse after ISO cleaning with a cold water bath. Don’t soak the bags in ISO.
Drying and Storing
However you clean your bubble wash bags, it’s important to let them air dry thoroughly before storing. You can do this by hanging them to dry. Storing wet bags can lead to mold growth, which will absolutely ruin your bags. Moldy bags should not be reused.
Store the bubble wash bags in a small breathable tote in a cool dry place.
Conclusion
Using quality bubble wash bags is a major advantage when extracting ice water hash. Once you’ve purchased bubble wash bags, being diligent about how you clean them will prolong the lifetime of the bags and maximize your investment in quality equipment.
Cleaning bubble wash bags is a simple process. Being consistent with it is key. How often do you clean your bubble wash bags? Let us know in the comments!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Can I use Isopropyl Alcohol to clean my bubble wash bags?
If absolutely necessary, yes, but try to avoid cleaning with ISO. Apply the ISO, use a clean toothbrush to gently scrub the resin away, then quickly rinse with cold water.
How long should bubble wash bags last?
Quality bubble wash bags will last several years if they're properly cleaned and maintained.
How Should I store bubble wash bags?
First, be sure the bags are completely dry. Any moisture remaining in the bags during storage will invite microorganism growth which can damage the bags. Once dried, store them in a clean, cool place inside of a tote bag where they'll be protected from contaminants and the surrounding environment.
Can I use warm water to clean bubble wash bags?
No, it's not recommended to wash with warm water. Warm water will simply melt trichomes and cause the resin inside to leak out, making an oily mess on your filter screens.
What if you don't regularly clean bubble wash bags?
Bubble bags that aren't correctly cleaned will become clogged and nearly unusable over time. They become caked with hash and won't filter properly. Sometimes these bags can be salvaged with a deep clean, but often they will be beyond repair.
1 comment
I wash my purple bag inside and out every time and it won’t drain .
I’ve used cold water, isopropyl alcohol
Should I get a new one ?