Cleaning Question

McSmokey · 03-17-2010, 10:31 PM

Haven't fallen down the pipe slope yet... but I have come across a cigar version of a cigarette holder and it is made of Meerschaum. Looking for any tips on cleaning Meerschaum figured this would be the place to post. Thanks for any advice you have

T.G · 03-17-2010, 11:18 PM

I don't think you clean meers. Just wipe them out/off and that's about it, they are so porus that any chemicals would be absorbed into the stone and could potentially cause problems later.

Wipe them with a bit of beeswax to protect them and that's about it AFAIK.

Mister Moo · 03-18-2010, 06:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by McSmokey

...Looking for any tips on cleaning Meerschaum...

Cleaning the inside or outside?

McSmokey · 03-19-2010, 09:30 AM

Inside I figured just run a few pipe cleaner straws through but its got some staining on the outside at the end... probably from cigars being smoked to a nub and its got an amber mouthpiece I figured just disinfectant and a damp cloth on that part

T.G · 03-19-2010, 11:25 AM

The discoloration of the meers due to tobacco/smoke from use is normal. This discoloration of the meers adds to it's uniqueness as it's unlikely that two pipes will discolor the same. Here are some vintage meers pipes in various stages of discoloration.

The disinfectant & damp cloth should be fine for the mouthpiece.

03-17-2010, 10:31 PM	#1
McSmokey Feeling at Home Join Date: Aug 2009 First Name: Justin Location: Tuscaloosa, AL Posts: 948 Trading: (30)	Cleaning Question Haven't fallen down the pipe slope yet... but I have come across a cigar version of a cigarette holder and it is made of Meerschaum. Looking for any tips on cleaning Meerschaum figured this would be the place to post. Thanks for any advice you have __________________ "Although personally I am quite content with existing explosives, I feel we must not stand in the path of improvement." Winston Churchill

03-17-2010, 11:18 PM	#2
T.G Grrrrrr Join Date: Mar 2009 First Name: The Other Adam Posts: 15,557 Trading: (37)	Re: Cleaning Question I don't think you clean meers. Just wipe them out/off and that's about it, they are so porus that any chemicals would be absorbed into the stone and could potentially cause problems later. Wipe them with a bit of beeswax to protect them and that's about it AFAIK.

03-19-2010, 09:30 AM	#4
McSmokey Feeling at Home Join Date: Aug 2009 First Name: Justin Location: Tuscaloosa, AL Posts: 948 Trading: (30)	Re: Cleaning Question Inside I figured just run a few pipe cleaner straws through but its got some staining on the outside at the end... probably from cigars being smoked to a nub and its got an amber mouthpiece I figured just disinfectant and a damp cloth on that part __________________ "Although personally I am quite content with existing explosives, I feel we must not stand in the path of improvement." Winston Churchill

03-19-2010, 11:25 AM	#5
T.G Grrrrrr Join Date: Mar 2009 First Name: The Other Adam Posts: 15,557 Trading: (37)	Re: Cleaning Question The discoloration of the meers due to tobacco/smoke from use is normal. This discoloration of the meers adds to it's uniqueness as it's unlikely that two pipes will discolor the same. Here are some vintage meers pipes in various stages of discoloration. The disinfectant & damp cloth should be fine for the mouthpiece.