The Ultimate Hookah Cleaning and Maintenance Guide

Ever wonder why your shisha tastes 'off' or why flavors from past sessions linger? The culprit is almost always a dirty hookah. Proper, regular cleaning is the single most important thing you can do to ensure pure flavor and extend the life of your equipment. Here's our expert routine, perfected over 22 years in the business.

After Every Single Session: The Quick Rinse

This takes 5 minutes but makes a huge difference. 1. Dump the Base: Never let old water sit. Discard it immediately. 2. Rinse the Base: Swirl warm water in the base and rinse it out. 3. Empty and Rinse the Bowl: Scrape out all used tobacco and rinse the bowl thoroughly. 4. Rinse the Stem: Run warm water through the downstem to wash out any loose particles.

The Weekly Deep Clean

Once a week, give your hookah a proper bath. You'll need a set of hookah cleaning brushes. 1. Disassemble: Take your hookah completely apart. 2. Stem and Downstem: Use a long, thin brush with warm, soapy water or a specialized cleaning solution to scrub the inside of the stem and downstem until the water runs clear. 3. Base: Use a larger, flexible brush to scrub the inside of the glass base. 4. Ports: Use small brushes to clean the hose port and purge valve port. 5. Rinse Everything Thoroughly: Ensure no soap residue is left. 6. Air Dry: Let all parts air dry completely before reassembling to prevent mildew.

Monthly Check-up and Hose Care

Once a month, inspect your gear. Check all grommets for cracks or wear and replace them if necessary. For washable silicone hoses, run warm water through them and hang them to dry completely. Never run water through a non-washable hose, as it will rust from the inside.