How to clean shisha – Full Guide
What is the most effective way to clean shisha?
Keeping your shisha set up clean, is not only essential to ensure your hookah is hygienic but is a crucial component to safeguarding the flavour of your shisha is always crisp and delicious. Without regular cleaning, the components will become clogged with previous remnant flavours, which may also have become stale. The result is shisha that tastes and smells disappointing.
Maintaining the cleanliness of your shisha starts from the first time you unbox your new set. Not only will you be removing any dust or other debris, which can impact on your shisha flavour, you’ll be teaching yourself how all the components come together. It is advisable your set be thoroughly washed, sanitised, and allowed to completely dry, after each session. Forming a cleaning routine will ensure your shisha always tastes fresh and true to its flavour.
Today, we will give you a guide to hookah cleaning and the best shisha care practices. But first, we will run through the various parts of a shisha:
- Bowl. This refers to the bowl where you place your shisha tobacco.
- Stem. This refers to the vertical pipe from the bowl to the vase.
- Base. This is the glass vase that holds the water.
- Hose. This is used for inhaling the smoke from the vase through the mouthpiece attached to the hose.
- Tray. This holds the charcoal, and it also protects your surroundings when smoking.
Shisha Cleaning Supplies
We recommend using a cleaning solution combination that does not use harsh chemicals. A natural mixture of warm water, lemon, and baking soda will help deep clean your shisha. You can also use mild dishwashing soap if you prefer. You will also need a brush to scrub any built-in residue in your shaft, and base.
How to Clean Shisha
Start by dismantling all the parts. If you’re time poor, have not cleaned your hookah for some time, or prefer not to scrub too much, after dismantling, soak the individual parts in the suggested water/baking soda/lemon solution overnight. It will help soften any built-up residue.
- Disassemble. Before you start cleaning, detach the hose connected to the shisha. Gently twist the hose from side to side until it is loosened from the base. If the hose is lodged, do not pull with force because it will cause damage. Continue twisting it until it is detached.
It’s important to note your pieces, especially the first time. You need to remember what connects to where and how. For this reason, especially the first few times, break your pieces up into cleaning ‘groups’ so that you neither lose any parts nor forget how to re-assemble.
- Remove the grommet from the hose port and the bowl from the top, and underneath the grommet.
- Take the tray and dispose of the remaining ash on it.
- Twist the stem of the shisha until it loosens at the base.
- Set aside all the parts and prepare for cleaning.
2. Clean the hose. Check if your hose is washable.
- First, blow through your hose to get rid of any stale smoke inside. Ideally you should do this after each use.
- If it is not washable, hold both ends and try to whack it against a soft surface to get rid of any debris. Then hang it in a cool, dry area.
- If it is washable, run the hose under the tap. Place one end under the running water and let it flow through the other end. Hang the hose and let it completely dry.
3. Clean the stem. Run water from the tap or pour water through the stem.
- Use a brush and your cleaning solution. Brush back and forth until you have cleaned the stem’s full length. Repeat this process until the stem is completely clean.
- Run hot water through it. Insert your fingers into the hose port to make sure no debris has accumulated. Let it dry on a towel or lean it against a wall.
4. Clean the base. Remove the old, stale water inside the base. Then run hot water into it.
- Using your fingers, rub inside the top, reaching as far as possible inside.
- Pour out the water.
- Add your cleaning solution and scrub it with a soft bristle brush or sponge.
- Pour in additional hot water and shake the base while covering its opening with the palm of your hand. If it’s very stained and hasn’t been cleaned in a while, pour out the water mix and repeat.
- Let it rest for an hour or overnight.
- Rinse it with hot water 2-3 times, before letting it dry on a towel.
5. Clean the bowl. With a sponge or towel, remove any residue on the shisha bowl. Run your bowl under the tap, while rubbing off any caked-on tobacco using your fingers. The aim here is to remove any debris that isn’t caked on. When you have removed what you can, immerse your bowl in a pot of water, and allow it to come to a simmer. Leave to simmer for 3- 5 minutes. Remove from pot, rinse, clean off any remaining debris, and allow to dry.
6. Clean other parts of the shisha. Now it’s time to clean the grommets, release valve, and ashtray. Run your tap over the grommets and release the valve. Using your fingers, and a little pressure, remove any unwanted waste. Follow the same process for your ashtray if there’s only loose ash. However, if there is caked on used shisha, use hot water, and steel wool, to remove the waste. Rinse and allow to dry.
Allow all the parts to dry completely.
Now that you know how to clean a shisha, repeat this process regularly, ideally after each session.
Got a question? No problem, our friendly Tuah Australia Team is always happy to help. Feel free to contact us HERE, follow us on SNAPCHAT, FACEBOOK, or INSTAGRAM, and don’t forget to look over our many blog posts for news and information.
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