Cleaning Methods

[PuRecHi]

Once again, I am new to hookahs - so I went and checked out the FAQ for new people at the top. The link that used to direct new users to cleaning tips is now dead. So how about giving me some tips on how to clean hookahs? For example, if I'm smoking hookah and get a familiar taste from the last hookah session - what do I need to clean more thoroughly? I've read water, lemon juice, and salt water - would I just put this conglomeration in the base and let it sit overnight?

I personally, have/getting a QT. So any help on cleaning methods pertaining to those in particular would be exceptional. Hell - even some cleaning tips for a larger hookah would be great too, that way you can help some other users.

Thanks guys.

[brownbob06]

I usually run warm soapy water through everything, blow it all out, and put it away.

Except the Base, I clean it with sopy water first. Then I put water and lemon juice in it and leave it out, worked so far.

[*HOT&SMOKING*]

I usually run warm soapy water through everything, blow it all out, and put it away.

Except the Base, I clean it with sopy water first. Then I put water and lemon juice in it and leave it out, worked so far.

How long do you let the lemon juice and water stand in the base????

thanks

-H&S

[Bushbr]

I usually run warm soapy water through everything, blow it all out, and put it away.

Except the Base, I clean it with sopy water first. Then I put water and lemon juice in it and leave it out, worked so far.

How long do you let the lemon juice and water stand in the base????

thanks

-H&S

i usualy let it sit in the base for at least 2 or so hours, maybe more.... depends if anything good is on TV

[brownbob06]

I usually run warm soapy water through everything, blow it all out, and put it away.

Except the Base, I clean it with sopy water first. Then I put water and lemon juice in it and leave it out, worked so far.

How long do you let the lemon juice and water stand in the base????

thanks

-H&S

Til the next time I smoke.

And also, I run water through the hose by putting all of the hose at the bottom of the sink, put one end right up to the end of the faucet, the other end in the drain and run the water hard enough to come through the other end of the hose, run water through it, then some soap (VERY SMALL AMOUNT) and then lemon juice. I blow all the excess water out, then hang it over one of my cupboard doors to make sure it all dries out.

I also wash my hookah after each session and don't just leave it sitting out, sounds like alot, but only takes about 10 minutes or less now that I have the procedure down. Edited March 31, 2008 by brownbob06

[*HOT&SMOKING*]

Thanks for replies .

I also clean out my hookah after every session, unless, say I smoke the one night alot and then know that I am going to smoke the next morning and then I clean it out after that.

-H&S

[r1v3th3ad]

I generally clean everything with soap and water, dry it, then check for flavor/odor reminents.
If there is still any in any of the above, I use lemon juice. For the vase/base, I pour a bunch of lemon juice in it, then add some water to dilute it and not be wasting my money on lemon juice all the time. I leave it sit over night.
The bowl I leave sit over night in lemon juice. When I'm in a rush, I use house-hold cleaners to soak for a half hour, scrub, rinse, then boil it to make sure I'm not gonna be smoking chems.
The stem I generally continuously wash with soap and water, never had a problem there.
With the hose, I put one end up to the facet and the other I hold over the open toilet. If that doesnt work, I put some mouthwash in, cover both ends and shake the hose for a bit. Then more rinsing. Then blow dry best I can, then hang it from the ceiling.


I also heard beer works

hope this helps

[Bondal929]

After every smoke I...

1) Run HOT water through all parts of the stem and base

2)Run WHITE VINEGAR through the stem and let it sit for a few muinutes

3) While the stem is sitting, rinse out the base with hot water and swirl some white vinegar around in there too. wash it out

4) Use a brush, and brush out the stem, then rinse the vinegar and residue out with hot water

5) Dry everything off, rinse off the bowl, and pour white vinegar on that also. let the vinegar sit (Normally rinse it off again right before the next use)




**Vinegar is a miracle cleaner -- I have never had a problems with odor or taste. DO IT**

[mjdx88]

After every smoke I...

1) Run HOT water through all parts of the stem and base

2)Run WHITE VINEGAR through the stem and let it sit for a few muinutes

3) While the stem is sitting, rinse out the base with hot water and swirl some white vinegar around in there too. wash it out

4) Use a brush, and brush out the stem, then rinse the vinegar and residue out with hot water

5) Dry everything off, rinse off the bowl, and pour white vinegar on that also. let the vinegar sit (Normally rinse it off again right before the next use)




**Vinegar is a miracle cleaner -- I have never had a problems with odor or taste. DO IT**

I do the same thing only instead of vinegar I use lemon juice, vinegar seeems to leave an smell. Also when all is said n done I run hot water through the stem for a few mins and let some lemon juice mixed with water sit in the base till im done cleaning everything.

Mike

[paiintballa182]

lemon juice seems to be the winner

if you cant find any, try vodka

[*HOT&SMOKING*]

lemon juice seems to be the winner

if you cant find any, try vodka

I am sure people in russia don't have a problem finding vodka to clean their hookahs.

must work for them .

-H&S

[paiintballa182]

or here in the us

5.00 for a liter of vodka is cheaper than lemon juice by leaps and bounds

[Webbles]

or here in the us

5.00 for a liter of vodka is cheaper than lemon juice by leaps and bounds

Bingo.

[AlphaJuno]

Popov wins.

[Baby Space Jesus]

I use soap on everything. Especially after strong flavors such as mint, that leave a lot of their flavor behind. One thing I do is to rinse it out several times after using soap on anything to make sure that all the suds residue is gone. Especially in the base or it will bubble like crazy when you start smoking.

[paiintballa182]

and taste like burn arsehair

[Bushbr]

and taste like burn arsehair

+1

[erufiku]

My 10 minute/10 step KM routine:

1. Pour water out of base, rinse with warm tap water.
2. Pour about a cup of vinegar into the base, use the big bad base brush to get it squeaky clean.
3. Pour vinegar out of base, rinse with water.
4. Take the stem, put a funnel (the regular kitchen type...) into the stem, run very hot water through it for a few seconds.
5. Take some plastic wrap, fold it to make a few layers and use an elastic to shut off the downstem.
6. Pour vinegar into the stem until it's full. Use stem brush.
7. Tilt stem to let the vinegar and grime out (keep the downstem part sealed).
8. Pour some lemon juice, brush again. If your brush doesn't reach the bottom of the downstem, now's the time to take the foodwrap off and give it a scrub. Optional - pour some vinegar/lemon juice in the hose port, use the special brush and rinse.
9. Rinse with v. hot water, dry the stem with a paper towel + straightened hanger.
10. Enjoy your next session

Squaky clean each time.

[MechAnt]

Drinking alcohol. That's all you need. The best cleaner of all time. Beer works extremely well.

[paiintballa182]

vodka > beer

[MechAnt]

Either one works beautifully

[Bushbr]

vodka > beer

drinkin or cleaning?

if u talking drinking, im gonna have to dissagree with ya buddy

[paiintballa182]

cleaning, of course

[r1v3th3ad]

I do like using vodka/everclear to clean because then I have a few delicious tasting drinks afterwards

[Bushbr]

i could never use booze to clean my hookah..... seems like a waste. i mean.... afterwards you pour it down the drain. the thought of pouring vodka or beer directly down the drain..... its.....its just not right.... its alcohol abuse