How to Clean a Hookah

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

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Some hookah smokers will clean their pipes after every smoking session, while others may not change the water for weeks. The frequency with which you clean your hookah is your own personal preference. However when properly cleaned, a quality hookah will last for years.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Toothpick
Test-tube brush
Rock salt
Rubbing alcohol

Step1

Dismantle your hookah and wash the bowl first. Use a toothpick or the tip of a well-worn pencil to gently remove all the dry, burnt tobacco from the small holes inside the bowl. For more difficult jobs, soak the bowl for 5 minutes in hot water and try again.

Step2

Rinse out the inside of the hookah. You can clean difficult to reach spaces with a long test-tube brush if necessary. Another option is to place water and a cup of large crystal rock salt into the body of the hookah. Allow the mixture to sit for a few minutes, and then begin to gently shake the hookah. The rock salt will quickly remove heavy tobacco grime from the inside of the hookah.

Step3

Empty the water from the base of the hookah. Rinse thoroughly, particularly if you have used the rock salt cleaning method.

Step4

Blow air forcefully through the hookah hoses to remove any built up ash. If necessary, allow warm water to run through the tubes.

Step5

Frequently clean your mouthpieces with rubbing alcohol and warm water, especially if you share your hookah with others. Always rinse the mouthpiece under warm water before using again.

Step6

Allow all the parts of your hookah to dry thoroughly and reassemble.

Tips & Warnings

Remember that it is best to put clean water in the base of your hookah before every smoking session. The water acts as a filter for the smoke and becomes dirty quickly.
Never use soap to clean your hookah, as it can contaminate the taste of the smoke. If you use rock salts to deep clean the base, rinse well.