Pipe cleaning methods! who does, who doesnt.

[Mississippi Steve]

Yo folks, I was checking out a thread on resin, and it got me thinking... Most people i know clean out there pipes, using various methods (boiling, picking, alcohol and salt, cleaning kits etc.) but i also know a few that never clean their pieces.
So the question is: is there a difference?
I've always thought cleaner pipes were better, better, bigger hits, and maybe a little easier on the lungs (anyone know if thats true?), but are there any upsides to an uncleaned pipe or bong, and if so do they outweigh the downsides?
If ya got a proven answer I'd love to hear it, or even just a personal opinion, this is all just idle speculation, not some kind of stoner philosophy, (but it can be if ya want):thumbsup:

I use alcohol, paper towels and a long thin brass rod to clean out my waterpipes. I do this about once a month when the inside gets nasty looking. I do it for sanitary reasons if nothing else.