You’ve become paranoid, worried you have a rare exotic disease. Your tastebuds are malfunctioning. You loaded your hookah up with watermelon mint tobacco, but instead, you taste pina colada!
Don’t worry, you’re not going crazy. Your hookah is probably just dirty.
A dirty hookah carries “ghost flavors” from your previous smoking sessions. Without regular cleaning, you also run the risk of inhaling mold or rust particles.
So, how do you make your grimy old hookah look like new again?
Look no further. We’ll walk you through the steps of how to clean a hookah, piece by piece.
Contents
Cleaning Supplies
A well-maintained hookah can be cleaned with nothing more than warm water.
However, if you allow grime to build-up, you’ll need a little extra help removing the stubborn dirt. Try using vinegar, dish soap, lemon juice, or Formula 420. Avoid using harsh chemicals.
A set of hookah brushes will help you remove dirt from hard-to-reach areas like the hookah hose, valve, and stem. Visit Smoke Shop Plus to find a variety of reliable hookah cleaning supplies.
Hoses/ Pipes
Many people are unsure of how to how to clean a hookah pipe. It’s important to remember not all hoses are water-safe.
Traditional hoses contain cardboard and metal coils that become damaged when wet. Detach and air these hoses out after each use.
Rubber and silicone hoses can be safely cleaned with water. Plug one end of the hose with your finger, and pour warm water and lemon juice into the pipe. Plug the other end of the hose and give it a good shake to circulate the cleaning solution.
Base/ Vase
Rinse your base with hot water. Make sure the vase is at room temperature. Adding hot water to a cold base can cause it to crack.
Pour warm water and lemon juice into the base. Insert a brush and scrub the bottom and sides of the vase. Refill the vase with clean water, then cover the open end with your hand and churn the water vigorously.
Stem
It’s difficult to clean hookah stems without the help of brushes. The stem is too long and narrow to wipe clean with your fingers.
Start by rinsing the stem with cold water, then scrub the insides with a long brush.
Plug one end of the stem and pour 2 tablespoons of vinegar and half a teaspoon of baking soda into the other end. The mixture will start to fizz. Use your brush to coat the inside of the stem with the cleaning solution.
Bowl
Remove any old foil and tobacco, then rinse the bowl with warm water. Scrub the bowl with a soft brush to remove burnt-on tobacco. Take care not to scratch the glaze.
Ashtray
Rinse the ashtray with warm water to get rid of loose ash. Scrub any charcoal residue with a sponge or steel wool. Do not clean brass-plated trays with lemon juice as it will damage the plating.
Rubber Grommets
Run the rubber grommets under warm water to remove loose dirt. Use a soft brush to scrub away from stubborn dirt build-up. Dry the grommets carefully to prevent mold from forming.
Now You Know How to Clean a hookah
Cleaning a hookah piece by piece takes a little time, but the results are well worth the effort.
By learning how to clean a hookah properly, you can ensure you get the most out of your flavors. Your double apple tobacco will never taste like a cherry again!
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