Even if you keep your hokah fairly clean, occasionally you will need to do a thorough cleaning to make sure the hokah produces the best flavor. The cleaning process should be divided into four steps: hoses, small sections, stems, and vases/bottles.
Step
Part 1 of 4: Cleaning the Hoses
Step 1. Remove the hose from the hookah bottle
The hose you use to inhale the smoke is connected to the hookah, but not permanently. Carefully twist the hose from side to side to loosen it from the bottle, then pull until the hose is released.
If the hose seems to be attached very tightly, it's best to keep twisting it rather than pulling it forcefully. Do not use too strong force so as not to damage the hook
Step 2. Blow through the hose
You can do this step every time you finish smoking your hookah – it only takes two seconds. Place your mouth on the hookah spout you normally use for sucking, then blow vigorously. That way, you're forcing out any stale smoke that's lingering in the hose and can affect the flavor you choose the next time you want to smoke.
Step 3. Rinse the hose if it is washable
Do this step whenever you feel like your tobacco doesn't taste as good as it should – at least after about 10 uses. If the hose is made of rubber or plastic and is labeled “washable”, you can rinse it with water after 4-5 uses. Never use soap or other chemical products when washing the hose – just run normal tap water through the hose.
- Turn the faucet on the sink, place one end of the hookah hose under the running water. Make sure water flows through the hose.
- Position one end of the hose to ensure that the water pushed through the hose flows back into the sink.
- Let the water run through the hose for 30 seconds, then turn off the faucet.
- Lift one end of the hose high so that water can drain out of the hose.
- Hang the hose somewhere and place a towel under it to catch any water that drips from the hose as it drains.
- Do not use the hose until it is completely dry.
Step 4. Remove any remaining particles from the hose that cannot be washed
If the hose is made of a non-washable material, you will have to rely on force and wind to clean it of any dirt particles that may have accumulated after repeated use.
- Bend the hose so that both ends are in one hand.
- Using moderate force, hit the hose vigorously against a soft but sturdy object to release any remaining particles inside.
- The sofa can be a suitable object for hitting the hose. Do not choose a surface that could damage the hose, such as a pavement or brick wall.
- Blow through each end of the hose as hard as possible to remove any remaining particles.
- Connect the hose to a vacuum cleaner or air compressor (such as a bicycle pump) if you are having trouble maximizing lung strength.
Part 2 of 4: Cleaning Small Parts
Step 1. Disassemble all parts of the hook
The top of the hook rests on a broad base at the bottom to allow it to stand upright, so disassemble the entire section to prevent the hook from rolling over. Make sure you keep all the small parts in a safe place so that nothing gets lost.
- Turn the screw and remove the relief valve.
- Remove the grommets (hole rings) from the hose socket.
- Remove the bowl from the top of the hook.
- Remove the bowl grommets that are underneath.
- Lift the tray that holds the coal ash, making sure to remove the ash without spilling it.
- Twist and gently push the hokah stem until it is released from the bottle, and set aside.
Step 2. Clean the tobacco bowl
If there is still some foil and tobacco in the bowl, take it out and throw it in the trash. Insert your finger into the clean side of the foil to help remove the tobacco build-up without getting your fingers dirty.
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Turn on the hot water tap and place the bowl under the running water.
Clean Your Hookah Step 6Bullet1 - Use your fingers to scrape off any remaining tobacco crust.
- Bring a pot of water to a boil.
- Carefully submerge the bowl in the water. Use the coal tongs that came with your hook to fix the bowl's position without breaking your hands in hot water.
- Leave the bowl in the boiling water for 3-5 minutes, then remove it with tongs.
- Protect your hands with a thick towel, scrubbing the bowl with steel wool to remove the old blackened burn marks.
Step 3. Rinse all grommets in warm water
Grommets are protective discs that keep the parts of the hook from rubbing against each other and damaging each other. Grommets don't really affect the taste, but it doesn't hurt to clean them either. Simply place the grommets under a stream of warm water, use your fingers to rub the surface and remove any dirt that may have accumulated there. Put it on a towel and let it dry.
Step 4. Rinse the relief valve
Again, simply put it under a stream of water, rubbing the surface with your finger. Set aside on the same towel to dry.
Step 5. Wash and scrub the ash tray
If you don't do regular hokah maintenance, there may be a lot of burnt residue on the tray. If there is only ash powder that doesn't stick, simply rinse the tray in warm water and rub the entire surface with your fingers.
- If there is a sticky, black ash crust on the tray, use hot water to rinse it off. Rub the surface with steel wool to remove the ash.
- Continue rinsing until the tray is clean and the washing water is clear.
- Place it on a towel until it dries.
Part 3 of 4: Cleaning the Trunk
Step 1. Run the water through the stem
The stems are very long, so you may not be able to find an angle that will allow the tap water to flow directly into the hole at the top of the stem. If that's the case, pour water into the stems using a glass or pitcher. Make sure the rod is in the sink, so the water can drain right away. Do this for about 30 seconds.
Step 2. Scrub the inside of the stem using a stem brush
. The stem brush is a long, thin brush with stiff bristles. Hokahs usually come with a rod brush when you first buy them; if not, you can buy it at places that sell hokah, or buy on the internet.
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When you insert the stem brush, pour water into the stem.
Clean Your Hookah Step 11Bullet1 - Pull the brush in and out of the stem using force, about 10-15 times.
- Flip the stem and repeat the above process from the other side.
Step 3. Rub the stems with lemon
Close the stem hole by sticking your finger to one side. Pour about 2 tablespoons of lemon juice (fresh or packaged) onto the exposed end of the stem. Reinsert the stem brush and brush again, scrubbing the inside of the stem with lemon juice.
Remember to switch to the other side, plug the other hole and scrub with the brush from the other side
Step 4. Scrub the sticks with baking soda
Pour a quarter to a half teaspoon of baking soda into the bar. Brush again using the brush, remembering to brush the stem from both ends.
Step 5. Rinse the stems thoroughly with warm water
Stand the stem in the sink, pouring water into it with a glass or pitcher, while squirting the lemon juice and baking soda out of the stem. Run water from both ends of the stem – for at least 30 seconds for each.
Step 6. Drain water through the hose socket and relief valve
Both are located on the sides of the stem. You should be able to position the rod at a certain angle in the sink to be able to put both under the faucet. But again, use a glass or pitcher if the size of your sink doesn't allow it. Rinse for at least 30 seconds.
Insert your finger into the socket of the hose to remove any dirt that may have accumulated
Step 7. Set the stems aside to dry
Place it on the same towel where you put the other small hookah parts. Putting all the parts of the hokah in one place can reduce the possibility of missing items.
Lean the rod against a wall if possible, so that gravity can force the water to drip down the stem
Part 4 of 4: Cleaning the Basics
Step 1. Dispose of used water
If there is still water left in the bottle from your last use, carefully pour it into the sink, making sure you don't spill it and make a mess.
Step 2. Run hot water into the bottle
Make sure the bottle is at room temperature before you add hot water to it; if you've just used ice for your hokah, adding hot water directly may cause the bottle to crack.
- Use your finger to rub inside the top hole of the bottle, as far as your finger can reach.
- Pour the water out.
Step 3. Add lemon juice and baking soda
Measure out about two tablespoons of lemon juice and one teaspoon of baking soda, then pour the two into a hokah jar. Twist the bottle to mix the two ingredients; if the solution sizzles slightly when the two materials come into contact, that's normal.
Step 4. Scrub the bottle using a bottle brush
Bottle brushes are shorter than stem brushes, and stiff bristles are wider. Again, you may get a bottle brush the first time you buy a hokah; if not, you can buy it at places that sell hokah or buy on the internet.
- With the lemon and baking soda mixture still in the bottle, insert the brush.
- Rotate the brush all over the inside of the hook, pressing it firmly against the wall of the bottle for a good scrubbing.
Step 5. Add a little hot water and swirl around
Once the hot water has been added to the lemon juice and baking soda mixture, cover the opening of the bottle with your palm and swirl the solution, making sure the solution covers the entire inside of the bottle.
Step 6. Fill the bottle with hot water to the brim, then let it sit
Fill the bottle to the brim with hot water, then let it sit in a safe place so it doesn't roll over. Leave it for at least an hour; leave it overnight if you want a deep cleanse.
Step 7. Rinse the bottle
After the solution of water, lemon juice and baking soda has been allowed to do its work for at least an hour, rinse the bottle thoroughly with hot water. Hold it upside down on a towel and let it dry.
Warning
- Wash the hose with water only if it is washable.
- Do not use hot water for bottles if it has just been used with ice. Sudden changes in temperature can cause the bottle to crack.
