Cleaning Hookahs

[Verata]

I don't know if this thread has ever come up before, but I am not going to look for it anyway because I'm lazy.Anyway, I was wondering if anybody has any secrets to cleaning their hookah that they will share. I clean my hookah fairly often but i hate using my brushes for it because they are really hard to pull out and they shed something fierce. Also on the hookah itself can i use soap and water to scrub out the inside? And if not what do i use?I just thought that I would throw it out there.

[Scalliwag]

Alot of people here use lemon juice and water. I used that and it worked great for me. Get a better bottle brush at Walmart or somewhere. I also use pipe cleaners to run through the stem.

[Verata]

Thanks for the advice.

[EvansLight]

i use a cleaner, something that was sitting under my sink for the base. It gets it fully clean, and removes any smell from the last smoke.I run water through the stem, then use the lovely lemon/water combo as well. Blow out through the stem to dry and hopefully nock out any particles that werent removed from it before with the washing. Then a bit of polishing up the stem cause im just OCD like that.

[Lung Enema]

I use vinegar and water (1:10). It's just as good as lemon juice but it's a little cheaper and I usually already have it around.If you clean your hookah after every use, plain hot water run hard through the stem should do the trick.

[nuschultz]

[url="http://www.hookahwiki.com/index.php?title=Hookah_Cleaning"]http://www.hookahwiki.com/index.php?title=...Hookah_Cleaning[/url]Maybe this will help. While you are there, sign up for the newsletter.

[jmexx]

After every use I like to clean the stem with a pipe cleaning brush. Everyonce in awhile I'll do the lemon thing to get rid of the smell if I haven't used the hookah in awhile...

[Lakemonster]

I use lemon juice. the vinegar sounds like a great idea.I found long ago that using various cleaners was not a good idea for me. My wife brought home some different dishsoap that left a horrible floral "ghost" in my most expensive hookah for the longest time. even after washings and soaking sessions.... just couldnt get it out. Time had to do it for me.As for your brush..... I have taken those and trimmed the bristles down with scissors. If they are too long, then the brush just tears up like what you are describing. If the bristles form a diameter just slightly larger than the "ID" of your stem... then just the tips will contact the inner surface.... this ends up delivering a better clean and adding to the life of your brush. IMHO.

[EvansLight]

well the cleaner i use has no scent and leaves no residue. Dont ask me what its called, label died a long time ago. But its made to work like this, used with surfical supplies or something like that

[Ain Soph Aur]

i just used lemon juice. Worked out great.

[wheyfast]

I have used and use 420. This stuff is great. I have used it for other pipes from days of old.   .  

[Sonthert]

I use just plain water. I use beer for stubborn stains.