The shisha needs to be washed, otherwise the quality of smoking will decrease, and there will be a risk of bacteria multiplying in the internal parts. But how to clean a hookah without a brush? What to use instead of special devices? Answers now.

Let us note right away that it is better to fork out for a gadget, especially since collecting 60-100 rubles is not so difficult :)

And if for some reason you don’t have one yet, but really need to wash it, let’s consider alternative options.

Why clean narghile

During smoking, smoldering products settle on the walls, if you do not wash them, then after a while bitterness will appear, the taste of tobacco will be transmitted much worse, and cravings may worsen.

Besides contamination affects the service life of the device. The more carefully you take care, the longer the shisha will last.

Important maintain a sanitary condition so that pathogenic microorganisms do not multiply inside. Moisture and warmth are a favorable environment for them; poor washing will lead to the spread of germs and the smoker can become infected with colds and respiratory tract infections. This can happen even if you smoke alone, without company.

Is it possible to wash a hookah without a brush?

Nothing is impossible for skillful hands! Hookah workers during “hot” shifts do not have time to clean their charges for 20 minutes, so between smokes they wash them completely differently. Full cleaning begins after the shift.

“First aid” in the fight against contamination is washing under good warm pressure and drying.

The liquid in our pipes itself is not crystal clear 😉 so this method is more likely to get rid of the odors of smoked tobacco than from germs.

Sometimes baking soda or citric acid is used for cleansing.. In theory, these substances clean scale (in electric kettles and washing machines), but in reality, in order for this to happen, the device must be boiled. It is hardly possible to “boil down” the narghile. Also, small powder particles can damage the coating, especially on inexpensive devices. Thus, the health condition will only worsen.

You need to check with the manufacturer or seller whether the hookah can be washed using soda, lemon juice or other detergents.

How to clean a mine: 2 ways

Myths dispelled, let's move on to the most interesting part: how to replace the ruff.

You will need

• ordinary clean cloth of small size. It is better if it is dense, not stretchy;
• long thin device. In kitchens since the times of the USSR there have been such thin metal sticks that are used to pierce cabbage - they are ideal. You can also take knitting needles or sushi chopsticks. The latter will not be convenient, but they are more familiar to us than anything else :)
• stationery eraser.

Option 1:

Roll the fabric into a tube, thread it inside the shaft, and push it through with a stick. The ends of the rag should remain on both sides of the shaft. Wipe with progressive movements from the inside.

Option 2:

wrap the fabric around the stick. Make sure that the resulting volume fits tightly into the hookah pipe. Secure with a rubber band. You will receive an analogue of a brush. If the stick is not too long, clean from both edges.

A similar device can be made from fishing line and rags. True, you will only have such attributes if, along with smoking, you are interested in fishing :)

Washing the flask

It’s much more difficult with it without a special device. Ideally, a hookah maker has two brushes: one for the flask, the other for the pipe. The first one has a ring with bristles, which allows you to clean the bottom efficiently.

The neck of the product is very thin, so it cannot be washed with a cloth. It’s better not to even try - there is a risk that it will be very difficult to pull it back out.

You can rid the container of plaque and odors in several ways:

1. pour out the contents, add rice, shake and let stand for a while. Rice absorbs moisture well and will remove plaque, although for all the magic to happen, the walls of the container must be left damp.
2. pour dissolved citric acid or soda inside. Add hot water (not boiling water!) to the brim and leave until cool.
3. if you have a large bucket, basin or any container where the flask will fit completely, you can fill this container with hot water, dissolve lemon in it and immerse the accessory for half an hour.

Important: all parts must be thoroughly dried before the next session!

Small parts

In principle, the bowl, hose and saucer cannot be cleaned with brushes, but we will tell you the basic rules for cleaning them.

• all accessories must cool completely, before starting water procedures.
• do not wash these parts with chemicals, powders. Maximum - lemon juice solutions.
• remember: hot water cleans almost everything, but it is important that it is not boiling water.

Hose subject to pressure. Good pressure will cope with dirt. The accessory will still absorb odors, to a greater or lesser extent.

Pay special attention mouthpiece– it should also be thoroughly cleaned for disinfection.

Clay bowl It will darken over time, and you can’t get rid of it either. The glaze retains its original appearance longer, although small cracks may appear. It is washed with a kitchen sponge under a warm tap.

Do not use chemical detergents, even those intended for washing dishes. They have a strong aroma that can linger in the shisha. The soapy consistency is difficult to wash off, so the next time you smoke, there may be residual product in the flask, which is extremely harmful.

In order to use a hookah for a long period without losing its capabilities or breaking, it simply requires proper, qualified care. In fact, there is nothing complicated about it. You just need to ensure the cleanliness of the hookah and its components.
Let's start by disassembling the hookah after using it.

The first is the tobacco bowl. It must be washed, otherwise the smell of tobacco may be absorbed. You can wash it with soda. There is no need to start disassembling the hookah immediately after the smoking process is completed. Let the hookah cool down. Otherwise, you can get burned on the bowl, and besides, a sudden change in temperature can have negative consequences for the hookah.

The nargile mine must also be kept clean. This is obvious, because it is the shaft that filters tobacco smoke, trapping the remains of harmful substances on its walls. But since the shaft is metal, frequent washing can harm it. Therefore, it is recommended to rinse the shaft every 5 - 6 times of hookah smoking. For washing, use a special cleaning rod or a regular brush. The shaft can also be washed by running water pressure through it.

As for the hookah hose, it is not recommended to wash it, just like the shaft, and not too often. The whole point is its spring, which is made of metal and if it comes into contact with water, it will probably rust, which will ultimately affect the smoke, its unpleasant rusty taste. So you need to wash the hose as rarely as possible. Hoses made of leather need to be washed only when a large amount of carbon deposits has accumulated in it. To do this, like the shaft, the hose must be washed under running water on both sides. Since the inside of the hose has quite a ribbed structure, it must be washed so that the least amount of water remains in it. So, after washing, the hose needs to be blown out well and hung to dry, disassembled and so that both ends hang down. This position will allow the water remaining inside the hose to drain faster.

The hookah bulb is washed as it gets dirty, but it is better, of course, to wash it every time after smoking. The flask is washed according to the same principle as dishes, with a special brush. Just then, you need to rinse it thoroughly to get rid of any remaining detergent. You can clean the flask in another way: dissolve baking soda with hot water, and pour the resulting liquid into the flask. Let it sit for a couple of hours, then rinse with cold water.

Remember, in the process of washing the parts that make up the hookah, except for the flask, it is highly undesirable to use detergents and cleaning agents. And if you don’t completely get rid of these products, in the end, it can cause a not very pleasant smell of smoke, or even harm your health.

After you have gone through all the stages of cleaning and washing the hookah, you need to wipe all the elements of the hookah with a cloth or napkin and leave them to dry further. The hookah should be properly stored unassembled. If you follow all these simple steps, your hookah will serve you well for a long time.

Recently, hookahs for smoking have begun to appear in our homes, which many people bring with them from trips to eastern countries or buy in related stores. This device is quite easy to use, but, like any other household item, it requires attention. In this article we will talk about how to properly wash a hookah, how to care for it, and step by step we will look at the method of cleaning it.

Girl smokes hookah

Regularity of care

High-quality care of your hookah will ensure that you enjoy using it for a long time, and will also help the device itself serve you for a long time.

The first thing you need to remember is that the hookah is washed after each use. If this is not done, then the tars, flavors and other elements remaining after smoking tobacco can lead to the appearance of an unpleasant, musty odor, which will be very difficult to remove.

Regular washing will help quickly remove all traces of device use, odors and other contaminants. A clean, washed hookah can be dried and stored in a visible place.

Ready to use hookah

It is worth noting that the hookah should be washed only when it has completely cooled down.

Detergents

When thinking about how to wash a hookah, you should take care of selecting a suitable detergent. It is strictly forbidden to clean or wash the hookah with soap, washing powder or other household chemicals.

Such restrictions are due to the fact that it is almost impossible to completely wash off household chemicals from the surface of the device. Particles of washing powders can change the taste of smoke, as well as harm the hookah itself and its elements. It is also not recommended to use liquid detergents, as they leave behind a specific odor.

To wash a hookah, it is best to use proven traditional methods, for example, use a mixture of water and soda. To create a cleaning composition for washing the hookah bowl and shaft, you should mix soda and citric acid in a ratio of 4 to 1. To thoroughly treat the flask, you should stock up on natural abrasive, rice or buckwheat.

Please note that if the hookah has leather elements, for example, hoses, it is highly not recommended to wash them, since they do not tolerate water well. Such elements simply change over time.

For normal cleaning of a hookah you need a thin brush

If there is a metal spring in the hoses, it is also unsafe to fill them with water, since such contact may cause the metal to rust. It will be no fun at all to inhale rusty dust into your lungs. By the way, this is why when buying a hookah it is best to choose a device with hoses made of special plastic, which can be thoroughly washed after each smoke.

To properly rinse the shaft and bowl of the hookah, you should use only hot water. A hot hearth will help soften and remove plaque formed on the walls of the device. Cold water will not be as effective in this case.

Washing and Cleaning Instructions

Washing a hookah is not the most difficult task. To carry out the work we will need: warm running water, baking soda or citric acid, rice or buckwheat, a dish brush, fishing line and rags, toothpicks. By the way, hookah stores sell special brushes that make cleaning hookahs much easier.

Having collected all the necessary tools and cleaning products, you can begin work:

Systematic cleaning of hookah with brushes

• First of all, remove smoking residues, foil, and tobacco ash from the bowl. Usually, tobacco residues are easily removed by hand, but in some cases they can burn. To make things easier, you can immerse the bowl in hot water for a few minutes and then easily remove any burnt-on residue. You can use toothpicks for spot work.
• Take the device apart to drain the liquid, then reassemble it and take it to the bathroom.
• Connect the mouthpiece to the bathroom faucet and run warm water. It is necessary to ensure that the water runs in the opposite direction of the smoke. Treatment with running water will take 5-7 minutes.
• Then you should connect the top of the shaft to the water supply and start the process again. Let the water thoroughly rinse the insides of the hookah for the same 5-7 minutes. We will carry out better cleaning in the future.
• After preliminary washing, the device is disassembled again, now it is necessary to clean all its parts separately. The first thing to do is clean the hose. For this purpose we use a regular dish brush. The most important thing is that it is thin and has a long handle so that we can completely clean the insides of the hose. If a brush is not able to do this, you can use a fishing line with a rag attached to it, which can easily be threaded through the hose. At the end of the treatment, the hose should be blown out to remove all the plaque scraped off from its walls.
• After using the hose, you can wash the hookah bowl. We use baking soda and lemon juice or citric acid as a cleaning composition. Thoroughly rinse off the remaining cleaning composition after use, wipe the bowl dry and send it to dry.

Thoroughly washing the hookah bowl

• To wash the flask, you will need the same brush that we used to wash the hose. For better cleaning of the insides of the flask, use soda. Usually, soda easily copes with deposits on the flask, even if the hookah was smoked not only with water. If the insides are very dirty, you can add more abrasive and pour rice or buckwheat into the flask. Now it’s enough to shake the container properly, and then wash off the remaining plaque from the walls.
• When washing a hookah, the greatest attention should be paid to cleaning the shaft from dirt. The shaft is cleaned with a small brush with stiff bristles and the same soda. It is noteworthy that the shafts are collapsible and non-dismountable. It is clear that in the case of a collapsible shaft, the work is much easier to carry out, but somehow the fully welded version must be washed.
• We disassemble the collapsible version of the shaft as much as possible, and then wash each element under running water. After this, fill all the tubes with soda or fill them with citric acid and begin using a brush. We process the shaft elements on both sides, and then thoroughly rinse them again under the tap. After washing, you should try to blow out the pipes, thoroughly dry all the elements of the hookah with a towel, and then send them to dry.
• You should also start washing the welded hookah shaft by rinsing it under running water. Then, using a brush, soda or citric acid, we begin to thoroughly scrub the insides of the shaft, examining the dirt coming out of it. After several approaches and rinses, you will notice that there is less and less debris and dirt. When finished, rinse the shaft under the tap for 5-7 minutes to completely remove any cleaning agents and remaining dirt. Then blow out the shaft, wipe it and put it to dry.
• After washing, all parts of the hookah should be thoroughly dried with a towel, especially metal ones, so that they do not oxidize.
• After preliminary wiping, you should leave the hookah unassembled for drying. This process is lengthy and can take from half to a whole day. It is not recommended to speed up drying with a hairdryer or other heating devices; let the device dry naturally.
• After the hookah dries, it can be collected and used again.

As you can see, there are no particular difficulties in washing and cleaning the hookah. The most important thing is to observe regularity, not to be lazy and wash the device after each use. Then it will always be kept clean, ready for smoking.

It is not enough to choose high-quality flavors to enjoy hookah smoking. If you don’t know how to clean a hookah, or neglect the basic rules of the process, the device will quickly become clogged and the effect of its use will not be the same.

According to experts, the hookah should be cleaned after each use. Even during one session, residues of tar, tobacco and soot accumulate on the walls of the device’s elements, which over time lead to the appearance of a persistent musty odor. It is very difficult to get rid of it, given the fact that the use of most detergents is prohibited.

Means and tools for cleaning hookahs

Before cleaning the hookah, you need to make sure that all parts are completely cool. The choice of a suitable product must be taken with great care. You will have to forget about various powders and other modern cleaning products. The ban even applies to soap. These components are not completely washed off, quite quickly changing the taste of the smoke. Because of this, hookahs often become unusable.

The best option is to use water with baking soda. For maximum effect, you can also add a small amount of citric acid (no more than a quarter of the volume of soda). But even in this case, you will have to exercise maximum caution, especially when processing rubber hoses that do not tolerate contact with water very well. And various metal springs, if they are not regularly dried completely, can become rusty.

Advice: If possible, it is best to initially purchase a hookah with plastic hoses. They tolerate cleaning very well and do not wear out for a long time.

There is another important point in cleaning a hookah at home - only very hot water is taken for the procedure (in particular, for processing the shaft and vase). Otherwise, the plaque on the walls simply will not soften and it will not come off.

Recommended sequence of actions and process features

So, in addition to running water, soda and citric acid, we will need a thin brush or a strong fishing line with a soft, lint-free rag. If you follow all the recommendations correctly, the desired result can be achieved without much hassle in a quarter of an hour. To clean the hookah, you must perform the following manipulations:

• Remove the foil from the hookah bowl and remove all remaining tobacco mixture. It is best to use a soft brush or cloth for this.
• We disassemble the structure into its component parts as much as possible, pour out all the liquid from it.
• Next, we assemble the device again, attach its mouthpiece to the water tap and let in the liquid. We make sure that the water flows in the direction opposite to the movement of smoke while smoking a hookah.
• Next, we replace the mouthpiece with the upper part of the shaft and continue the process, but now in the opposite direction. The stage using clean running water should last at least 8-10 minutes. We remember that, if possible, the liquid should be as hot as possible (if the material of the elements allows it).

Mine cleaning

• Next, we disassemble the hookah again, now we need to clean all its parts separately.
• First we are working on the hose, for which we will need a very thin brush with soft bristles and a long handle. If you use a regular brush, you can damage the rubber. The use of wire can also cause damage to the material in case of careless movements. It is best to use a profile device or wire securely wrapped in rags. We move the device back and forth for a couple of minutes, if necessary, changing the fabric or washing the bristles of the brush. You need to blow out the hose or rinse it several times to finally get rid of dirt and deposits.

Cleaning the hose

• Next, we begin to process the bowl using a clean cloth and household chemicals. First, prepare a solution of weak concentration, pour it into a bowl, leave for a couple of minutes, drain and clean with a cloth soaked in the same composition. If necessary, repeat this several times or increase the concentration of active substances. Next, be sure to rinse everything with clean water.

Cleaning the flask

• After the cleaning procedure is completed, you must use a clean, soft and dry cloth to remove excess moisture from all accessible surfaces of the hookah parts. If this is not done, they will gradually oxidize and become unusable.

The final stage is drying the elements. It is best to leave the structure disassembled in a place with good air flow so that all parts dry naturally. It is strictly forbidden to use artificial heat sources, hair dryers, fans, especially on rubber elements. On average, drying a hookah takes at least 18-24 hours. You should not use it during this time; it is better to wait until it dries completely. Immediately after cleaning, the device also does not start, because... drops of water can affect the quality of steam and even cause burns to the laryngeal mucosa.

Today, specialty stores offer specialized hookah cleaning products. From a practical point of view, they are very convenient, they thoroughly wash away dirt and do not leave behind an unnecessary aromatic trail. True, they cost a lot, are consumed quite actively, and their shelf life expires a few weeks after the first use. Therefore, if the hookah is not used very often, it is better to limit yourself to using familiar household chemicals.

Fans of the hookah ceremony know: if you don’t wash the device, then after a couple of procedures the pleasure from the smoking process decreases, no matter how high-quality the tobacco is. The hookah does not require complicated care, but it does require some knowledge. The process may only take a few minutes, but the effect will delight everyone.

Rules of care

The main point: you need to wash your hookah after every time you use it. Postponing this matter until later can lead to unpleasant moments. After finishing smoking, it is better to immediately pour out the water and throw away the used tobacco from the cup. Then you need to disassemble the hookah. They wash it all, because ash settles on the mine walls, and sometimes small tobacco leaves linger there. Their unnecessary presence will affect the taste of the tobacco that will be used next time. The better the hookah is washed, the longer it will last. Buying a new, good one is an expensive idea. Isn't this a reason to take proper care in order to maximize the service life of your smoking device?

Bowl, saucer. After smoking, the contents are removed, the bowl and saucer are washed well with warm water. They are wiped with a clean, dry cloth or a towel set aside for such needs and left to dry. If tobacco has stuck to the bowl, use a new dishwashing sponge to remove it (do not add detergents, otherwise they will mix with the taste of tobacco). You can first place the bowl in a container and fill it with hot water for 5 minutes. The holes are washed under good water pressure.

For the cleaning flasks The hookah needs to be disassembled and the contents poured out. After each smoking, the flask is washed under warm water. The inner walls are cleaned with a brush. It is turned over to remove excess moisture. Next you need to leave it to dry. Another cleaning method: take a bottle brush, throw a little soda into the flask, and clean with hot water. If you smoked a hookah on water, then rinse the flask a couple of times, holding it under the tap, and leave it under hot water for 10–15 minutes. Rinse, wipe, put to dry. Buckwheat or rice grains are also used to remove plaque. Place water and soda into the flask and shake it. Then the flask is washed, wiped with a dry cloth, and dried.

There are 2 types mines: collapsible and non-dismountable. Caring for them is different.

• Collapsible shaft: everything possible can be dismantled. The parts are washed under warm water. The internal area of ​​the shaft is cleaned with a brush. You will need to rinse under running water again. Hookah lovers use soda to ensure better cleaning.
• A cast shaft is more difficult to handle in terms of maintenance. One end is attached to the tap and thoroughly washed under running warm water. The inner walls of the shaft are washed with a brush, this is done 2-3 times. The hole for the hose is attached to the tap. You need to hold it in this state for 5-10 seconds. After washing the shaft, it is located vertically, the water should drain.

In order to remove unnecessary odors, the hoses are rinsed in a solution of water and citric acid. The mouthpiece is connected to a tap with running warm water; this should be done for 15-20 minutes. The water opens and the pressure is added gradually. At the end of the washing process, the hose is cleaned with a fishing line, its length is 2-3 times the length of the hose. If there is no fishing line, then you can blow the hose in both ends one by one. Dry vertically. The hose must be washable, otherwise the inside will begin to rust. It is impossible to wash regular hoses; they can only be replaced. It is important that when drying, the remaining water inside drains out of the hose. The disadvantage of this cleaning option is that hose manufacturers sometimes do not properly treat the wood from which the hose is made. Cracks may appear from water pressure.

After cleaning, the parts are laid out in a dry place. The hookah should be left to dry for 18-20 hours; it must be collected after it has dried completely. If you don’t plan to smoke the hookah immediately after drying, then assembly can be done later. According to the advice of experts, it is preferable to store this device disassembled, namely in a box with a lid. It should be dense and not allow dust to pass through. Do not use a hairdryer or other heating devices to dry the hookah. The parts dry naturally. There should be no moisture in the parts before assembling the hookah.

To summarize all the options, we highlight: it is recommended to smoke a hookah only when it is clean. This is the only way to fully convey the taste of tobacco. To keep the hookah clean all the time, it is enough to rinse the shaft and flask after completing the smoking procedure. After hundreds of uses, the hose should be replaced. If you don’t want to rinse all the time after using a hookah, then you need to prepare for the fact that over time the complexity of the maintenance process increases.