[Emjaysmash]

First let me preface this by saying that I am by no means an expert or even close to an expert.
For cleaning, after every bowl I run a pipe cleaner through the shank and stem, and store my pipes with a pipe cleaner in them. I do this to absorb moisture.

I only alcohol clean when my pipe turns sour and gets a really funky taste.

I usually can get the dottle out of my pipe after it sits and the moisture has been absorbed by the pipe cleaner or cake. I use part of my Czech tool or just turn the pipe upside down and blow through it.

Hope that helps.