While not a big fan of the tip, I have used them from time to time. It depends on the weight of the pipe in my teeth as to whether I'll use one or not. As for cleaning I always pull them off and drop them in my vodka cleaning solution I use when I'm doing a thorough cleaning. They come out tasting great and as long as they are natural rubber the vodka won't attack them.
I do feel they crank up my saliva glands though. Hey, to each his own
