How to Clean a Rolling Tray: Easy Steps for Maintaining Your Stash Box

Rolling trays, also known as stash boxes, are a must-have accessory for any cannabis enthusiast. Not only do they provide a smooth, steady surface for breaking up bud, but they also keep all your smoking supplies together in one place. But after months of use, even the best rolling trays can get pretty grungy.

Sticky resin builds up, ash gets embedded in the crevices, and odors linger. If you don't stay on top of cleaning your rolling tray, it won't be long before your gear starts looking grimy and smelling funky. Luckily, keeping your rolling tray fresh and clean is easy. With just a few household supplies and a little bit of elbow grease, you can get your stash box looking brand new again.

In this guide, we'll walk you through the simple steps for deep cleaning your rolling tray so it looks, feels, and smells like new. Let's get started!

Step 1: Remove Everything from the Tray

Before tackling the grime, you'll want to clear everything off the tray. Removing all your weed, pipes, lighters, papers, etc. gives you full access to the tray's surface and makes it easier to scrub every nook and cranny.

Here's a quick checklist of items to remove:

  • Bud, shake, or anything cannabis-related
  • Handpipes, bongs, vaporizers
  • Lighters and matches
  • Rolling papers, cones, filters
  • Pokers, tweezers, or dab tools
  • Anything else chilling in your tray

Set all these items aside somewhere safe. It's a good idea to give pipes and vapes a quick iso wash while you have them out too.

Step 2: Dump Out Debris

Next, flip your tray upside down over a trash can or outside and give it a few good shakes. This will empty out any loose ash, resin globs, pet hair or other debris that have collected in the tray.

You can also take a paper towel and wipe out any sticky spots or obvious gunk at this point. The goal is to remove all the loose buildup before taking a cleaner to the tray.

Step 3: Fill With Warm Soapy Water

Now it's time to break out the cleaning solution. For rolling trays, warm water and mild dish soap does the trick.

Fill your empty tray with warm water, then squirt in a small dollop of dish soap - about a teaspoon or two is perfect. Swirl the water gently to create suds. The warm, soapy water will help lift sticky resins and dissolve any lingering debris.

Step 4: Scrub With a Soft-Bristled Brush

Here comes the elbow grease! For this step you'll need a soft-bristled cleaning brush. The soft bristles allow you to scrub the tray vigorously without scratching the surface.

Dip the brush into the soapy water and scrub every inch of the tray's surface - the bottom, sides, corners, engraving, any textured parts or crevices. Apply firm pressure to dislodge any grime or buildup as you scrub.

Make sure to hit edges and engraved areas where ash and resin tend to collect. Give the brush an occasional dip in the water to keep it sudsy as you clean.

Step 5: Dump Dirty Water and Rinse

Once you've scrubbed the entire tray and it's looking cleaner, carefully dump out the dirty soapy water. Give the tray a quick wipe with a dry paper towel.

Next, refill the tray with fresh, clean warm water to rinse away any soap or residue. Swirl the clean water around and let the tray soak for 5 minutes.

Step 6: Dry Completely

After soaking, dump out the rinse water. It's crucial to dry the tray thoroughly before using it again.

Let it air dry upside down for 15-20 minutes. You can place it on a dish rack or put some towels underneath to catch drips.

For extra moisture removal, go over the surface with a microfiber cloth or dry paper towels. Check crevices and engraved areas to ensure everything is totally dry.

Step 7: Freshen Up With Baking Soda

Once your stash box is squeaky clean and dry, you can take an extra step to keep it fresh. Sprinkle 2-3 tablespoons of baking soda across the surface.

Use a clean cloth to rub the baking soda over the entire tray. This will help absorb lingering odors and neutralize any remaining stickiness.

Let the baking soda sit for 10-15 minutes before dumping it out. Your tray will be clean, odor-free and ready for action!

Deep Cleaning a Wood or Bamboo Rolling Tray

If your rolling tray is made of natural wood or bamboo, the cleaning process is mostly the same. However, there are a few extra precautions to take when dealing with these porous, stain-prone materials.

Here are some wood and bamboo-specific cleaning tips:

  • Use a milder dish soap or diluted castile soap. Avoid harsh detergents.
  • Rinse thoroughly after soaping to remove all residue.
  • Dry immediately and thoroughly after rinsing.
  • Apply a food-safe mineral oil to protect the finish after cleaning. Rub a thin layer into the wood grain.
  • Avoid soaking or prolonged water exposure which can damage the wood over time.
  • Stubborn stains may need a soft cloth and baking soda scrub.
  • Re-oil periodically to maintain the wood over many uses.

With extra care taken not to soak or erode the finish, wood and bamboo trays can be cleaned just as effectively as other materials. Your tray will look beautifully refreshed.

Cleaning a Glass, Acrylic, or Metal Rolling Tray

For glass, acrylic, and metal rolling trays, feel free to use stronger cleaners to break down tough gunk. Here are some effective cleaning options:

Isopropyl Alcohol

The ultimate resin remover! Cover tough sticky spots with 90-99% isopropyl alcohol and let it sit for 5 minutes. Wipe away with a paper towel - resin dissolves easily. Rinse with water after.

Salt and Isopropyl Alcohol

For a more abrasive scrub, make a paste with coarse salt and alcohol. Rub paste over stubborn stains using a cloth or scrub brush. Rinse clean after scrubbing.

Baking Soda and Vinegar

When mixed, baking soda and vinegar activate into a bubbly cleaning solution. Make a paste, apply to the tray, let bubble for 5 minutes, then scrub and rinse.

Store-Bought Glass Cleaner

Any household glass/surface cleaner works nicely. Spray over the entire tray and wipe clean with a microfiber cloth.

Dishwasher

For a deep clean without effort, place a glass, acrylic, or metal tray on the top rack of your dishwasher. Run a hot cycle - it comes out looking like new!

With the right cleaning agents, these hard non-porous surfaces can be restored to a pristine, crystal clear condition after many uses.

Maintenance Cleaning Tips

Deep cleaning your rolling tray once in a while is important to keep it looking fresh. But you can also do some simple maintenance between deep cleans to prevent excessive buildup:

  • Use a mini hand vac to quickly suck up ash and debris after sessions.
  • Keep a dab tool close by to scrape off sticky resin globs before they get out of control
  • Wipe the surface with a dry paper towel after use to pick up spills and residue.
  • Cover the tray when not in use to limit dust and pet hair.
  • Freshen up the smell periodically by wiping with vodka, lemon oil, or scented disinfectant.
  • If the tray got mildly dirty during a session, give it a quick wipe with a baby wipe.

Staying on top of minor cleaning between deep cleans will keep your tray looking stellar and extend time between big scrubs!

How Often Should You Deep Clean Your Rolling Tray?

So how frequently does your stash box need that thorough soap and water bath? Here are some signs it's time for a deep clean:

  • Visible residue, dust, or ash buildup
  • Sticky, tacky areas that are difficult to remove
  • Smells funky or like burnt ash
  • Makes your hands feel dirty after use
  • Has tobacco flakes, hairs, and other debris scattered about
  • Hasn't been deep cleaned in over a month

For the casual smoker, every 1-2 months is reasonable. If you use your tray multiple times daily, aim for a deep clean every 2-4 weeks.

Glass and metal trays stay cleaner longer than wood or bamboo. Adjust cleaning frequency based on how much gunk accumulates and the overall condition of your tray.

Alternative Cleaning Methods

Don't have time for a full soap and water clean? Here are some quick alternative methods:

Rubbing Alcohol or Vodka Soak

Soak a paper towel with isopropyl alcohol or vodka and wipe down the tray's surface. Helps sanitize and remove stickiness.

Lemon Juice or Vinegar Spray

Spray lemon juice or diluted vinegar over the tray and wipe clean with a cloth. Removes residue and freshens the smell.

Magic Eraser

Dampen a Magic Eraser sponge and rub over the surface in circular motions. Erases gunk and ash stains.

Baby Wipes

Keep natural baby wipes handy for giving the tray a quick wipe down after sessions. Cleans off surface dirt.

While these don't replace a full clean, they can extend the time between deep scrubs and remove light debris in a pinch!

Be Proud of Your Rolling Tray!

Part of what makes smoking weed so enjoyable is the whole ritual - and your rolling tray is center stage. Keeping your stash box clean improves the experience and lets the intricate designs and artwork shine.

With this complete guide, you have all the steps and methods needed to keep your rolling tray looking fresh and feeling clean. Just remember to fully dry after cleaning, maintain it between deep cleans, and adjust how often you scrub based on usage.

So spark up a victory bowl - you're on your way to owning the cleanest rolling tray on the block! Thanks for rolling with us and be sure to pass these tips along to fellow stoners. That’s the key to a greener, cleaner sesh for all.

Read More...

Always Fresh

Don’t want lingering odors in your room? No problem - cubbi has TWO airtight seals. The first seal is for the airtight flower chamber.