Even if you are very scrupulous in maintaining your hookah, a thorough cleaning is required from time to time to make sure you get the most taste out of each use. It is best to proceed with one section at a time: the tube, the small components, the stem and the base.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Clean the Tube
Step 1. Disconnect the hose from the hookah base
This is the element through which you inhale the smoke and is fixed to the base, but not permanently. Gently twist it to loosen it from its housing and then pull it to disassemble it.
If you have the impression that it is almost stuck, continue to rotate it instead of tugging on it insistently. Do not apply force that will damage the hookah
Step 2. Blow into the tube
You can also do this every time you use the hookah, it only takes a couple of seconds. Place your mouth on the nozzle from which you usually suck and blow forcing the air. Doing so eliminates persistent residues of stale smoke that can ruin the flavor of the tobacco the next time it is used.
Step 3. If the tube is washable material, rinse it
Whenever, while smoking, you perceive an abnormal taste of smoke, you can proceed with a wash (approximately every 10 smokes). If it is made of rubber or plastic and has the "washable" label, then you can rinse it every 4-5 uses. You should never use soap or other chemicals to wash it, just plain tap water is enough.
- Open the sink tap and put one end of the tube under the flow of water, making sure that it flows inside.
- The other end must be positioned in such a way that the water falls into the sink drain.
- Let the water run for about 30 seconds and then turn off the tap.
- Lift one end of the tube to allow the water to come out.
- Hang it somewhere, taking care to put a cloth under it to collect all the drops of water as it dries.
- Do not use it until it is completely dry.
Step 4. Remove dirt particles if it is not washable
If the hookah pipe is made of material that cannot be immersed in water, then you have to rely only on a particularly strong flow of air to move and remove any residue of dirt that has accumulated with use.
- Fold it so that both ends fit in one hand.
- Knock the tube with moderate force against a sturdy but soft object to unlock the material inside.
- A sofa is an excellent surface on which to beat the tube. Avoid all those objects that could damage the hookah element, such as a brick or the driveway.
- Blow inside each end to expel residues.
- Connect the hose to an air compressor (the bike pump is fine too) or to a vacuum cleaner if you have difficulty blowing with the right force.
Part 2 of 4: Cleaning the Small Items
Step 1. Disassemble all the hookah
The upper part rests on a wide base that allows it to remain straight, so to disassemble the hookah you have to start from the top. Store the small pieces in a safe place so as not to lose them.
- Unscrew and remove the release valve.
- Remove the sealing ring from the hole for the pipe.
- Remove the brazier from the top.
- Remove the gasket just below.
- Lift the plate that collects the ash from the coal, taking care to throw away the residues contained in it without making a mess.
- Rotate and tug the hookah body (stem) to loosen it from the bottle (or base). Set it aside.
Step 2. Clean the bowl
If it still has old tinfoil with tobacco in it, throw it in the trash. Cover your fingers with aluminum foil (from the clean side) to rub the inside of the brazier without getting dirty. In this way you loosen all the tobacco residues that have remained encrusted.
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Rinse the bowl with hot running water.
Clean Your Hookah Step 6Bullet1 - Rub it with your fingers to get rid of any tobacco residue.
- Simmer a pot full of water.
- Carefully immerse the brazier in the pot. Use the coal tongs that are supplied with the hookah for this operation, so you don't get burned with boiling water.
- Let the bowl simmer for 3-5 minutes and then remove it with tongs.
- Protect your hands with a thick cloth, scrub the bowl with steel wool to remove old burn marks.
Step 3. Rinse the seals with warm water
These are rubber discs that protect the various parts of the hookah from friction. They don't particularly affect the taste of the smoke, but it's always a good idea to clean them. Simply rinse them under warm running water and rub them with your fingers to remove any residue of dirt that has accumulated. Place them on a clean cloth to dry.
Step 4. Rinse the vent valve
Again, just rinse it with warm running water and rub it with your fingers. Place it to dry on a tea towel.
Step 5. Wash and brush the ash pan
If you haven't cleaned your hookah regularly after each use, it will be full of ash and tobacco residue. If there is only melted ash, just rinse the plate under water and rub it with your fingers.
- If there are black encrustations, use very hot water and rub the pact with steel wool.
- Continue washing the dish until the water runs clear.
- Put it to dry on a cloth.
Part 3 of 4: Clean the Stem
Step 1. Run some water inside the stem
Since it is a very long element, you will have to tilt it a little so that the water from the tap flows through it from one end to the other. If necessary, pour the water into the body of the hookah with a pitcher or glass. Make sure that the stem is above the sink, so that the dirty water can be drained. Do this for about 30 seconds.
Step 2. Rub the inside of the stem with a specific brush
It is a long, thin brush with stiff bristles. It was probably included in the box when you bought the hookah; if not, you can buy one online or in hookah stores.
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Pour the water inside the stem without removing the brush.
Clean Your Hookah Step 11Bullet1 - Vigorously, pull and push the pipe cleaner into the hookah body about 10-15 times.
- Turn the stem over and repeat the process on the other end as well.
Step 3. Rub it with lemon
Close the stem by inserting a finger in one end and pour two tablespoons of lemon juice (fresh or bottled) from the open side inside. Insert the pipe cleaner and scrub once again, carefully cleaning the inside of the hookah body with lemon juice.
Remember to clean the other end as well, inserting the brush and closing the one that was previously left open
Step 4. Clean it with baking soda
Pour about half a teaspoon inside the stem. Insert the brush and rub it without forgetting the other end as well.
Step 5. Rinse the hookah body with warm water
Hold it vertically in the sink and pour hot water into it with the help of a jug or glass, so as to eliminate the lemon juice and baking soda. Run the water at both ends for about 30 seconds.
Step 6. Run the water through the hose connection hole and into the vent valve
They are both on the sides of the hookah's body. You should be able to tilt the stem in the sink to make these items fit under the tap. If you are in trouble and your sink is too small, help yourself with a glass or a pitcher. Rinse for at least 30 seconds.
Insert a finger into the tube housing to remove any debris that has accumulated
Step 7. Set the hookah body aside to dry
Leave it on the same cloth with the other small components. Keep everything in the same place to minimize the risk of something being lost.
If possible, tilt the stem against the wall so that gravity causes the water to drain
Part 4 of 4: Cleaning the Ampoule
Step 1. Throw away the old water
If the hookah contains water from your last smoke, then throw it in the sink making sure it doesn't splash everywhere.
Step 2. Run very hot water inside
First check that the ampoule is at room temperature, if it has recently contained ice, the temperature change caused by hot water could break the glass.
- With your fingers, rub the inside of the base opening. Try to get as low as you can.
- Pour the water.
Step 3. Add the lemon juice and baking soda
Use about two tablespoons of juice and one of baking soda and pour them into the ampoule. Shake it to mix the two ingredients; the solution will start to fizz, but this is completely normal.
Step 4. Scrub the base with a pipe cleaner
The specific one for the bulb is shorter and wider than that needed for the stem. Maybe it was already included in the package when you bought the hookah, if not you can buy it online.
- Insert the brush in the cruet where the lemon with the baking soda is now present.
- Rotate it inside the base of the hookah making sure to press against all the internal walls to scrub them carefully.
Step 5. Add a little boiling water and shake the ampoule
Once the water has been poured, cover the opening in the base with the palm of your hand and shake the contents. Make sure the entire inner surface gets wet.
Step 6. Fill the ampoule with boiling water and let it rest
Pour in enough water to fill the base to the edge and then set it aside in a safe place where it can't be bumped. Wait at least an hour; if you want a deep clean, wait all night.
Step 7. Rinse the ampoule
When the water and the mixture of bicarbonate and lemon juice have worked for at least an hour, rinse the base with other very hot water. Turn it over and leave it on a cloth to dry.
Warnings
- Only wash the hose if it is washable.
- Do not use very hot water at the base of the instrument if it recently contained ice. The rapid change in temperature could break it.
