My variation on the 'salt and alcohol' treatment

[jamesstew]

Keep in mind I'm a n00b here so someone may have tried this before. I recently acquired a really nice estate Stanwell that looked very clean besides a thin cake. After a basic clean I loaded it up and noticed that nasty soap-tasting old-pipe smell and taste. Decided to do the salt and alcohol thing but realized I had no appropriate spirits but did have some 'Clean and Clear' pipe sweetener on hand. I basically did a three day salt treatment and the pipe looked like bare wood cleaner than any pure alcohol treatment I've done. The pipe tasted really good too with a hint of sweetness and wintergreen that dissipated after a few smokes. I don't want to officially endorse this since this stuff will melt the finish off the outside of your pipe if it drips.

[DSturg369]

Nice tip James!

Any alcohol 80 proof or more will work in a pinch as well. I prefer Wild Turkey 101 for this.

[jamesstew]

Originally Posted by DSturg369

Nice tip James!

Any alcohol 80 proof or more will work in a pinch as well. I prefer Wild Turkey 101 for this.

True, and I did have some Booker's bourbon which I didn't want to part with even insomuch as a cap full. There's something else in this stuff besides alcohol which just melts cake though.

[Crazycoonass]

I use everclear, its a good high proof neutral tasting grain alchol.

[rrb]

After using the alcohol and salt/cotton treatment, I usually use cotton balls and vinegar for about one or two hours, then I let them rest for about a day or so.
I found that vinegar takes ancient tastes away and the pipes smoke very cool.