The ultimate guide to hookah cleaning part 3: Hoses

Cleaning the hookah hose - cleaning your hose is so simple and important!

The hose is often neglected during cleaning or completely omitted. However, it is one of the components of the hookah that, along with the bowl, accumulates the most impurities. During a session, condensation forms inside, mixing with small dirt particles and residues of the tobacco flavor, creating a perfect habitat for microorganisms and bacteria. A dirty hookah hose can not only negatively affect your smoking experience and the taste of your hookah but also your health. Learn how to prevent this and keep your hose clean in this guide!

Cleaning the Hookah Hose with Water

For light dirt, it is recommended to rinse the hose with warm water—ideally right when you are cleaning your hookah anyway. Frequency matters here, so how often you clean the hose. Cleaning with water is quite simple:

In the first step, you should remove the hose adapter and the mouthpiece from the hookah hose, which greatly simplifies the cleaning of all parts.

Then fill the hose at the tap to ⅔ with warm water. Then take the hose and close both ends with your thumbs so that no water can escape.

Next, you need to raise and lower your arms alternately to create a wave-like movement. This ensures that the water moves back and forth inside the hose. After repeating the process a few times, you can drain the water and hang the hose to dry (with the openings pointing down).

This simple method can remove light deposits and residues in a short time. The more frequently you clean your hose, the lower the risk of severe dirt buildup.

Resolving Stubborn Dirt on the Hose

If cleaning with water does not produce the desired effect, you should consider using a hookah brush. Due to its small diameter and length, the brush for the smoke column is also perfect for cleaning the hookah hose.

If you want to be extra cautious, you can add a bit of hookah cleaner or dish soap (Warning: When using cleaning agents, make sure to rinse the hose several times with water to completely remove the residue).

Boiling the Hookah Hose

If warm water and the combination of a brush and special cleaner haven't worked? Then you should grab a pot and boil your hookah hose. This method ensures that the hose is clean and free of germs and pathogens after treatment. The high temperatures of around 100°C ensure that bacteria and germs are killed in the boiling water.

Instructions for Boiling the Hose

Step 1: The Right Pot

First, find a suitable pot. It should be neither too small nor too large. The one you usually use for boiling pasta is ideal.

Step 2: Securely Coil the Hose

To prevent the hose from bursting apart and splashing hot water everywhere during boiling, you should neatly coil it in preparation. The best way to do this is to knot it. Once the hose is securely knotted, you can place it in the pot.

Tip: If you want to be absolutely sure that the knot doesn't come undone, grab some cable ties or wire and secure the hose against surprises before boiling.

Step 3: The Right Amount of Water

For boiling to work properly, you naturally need the right amount of water. Filling the pot to ⅔ with water should suffice.

Step 4: Bring the Water to a Boil

After you've added the right amount of water to the pot, turn on the stove and let the water boil for 5 minutes.

Step 5: Rinse and Dry the Hose

Now that the hose has been boiled, all that's left is to rinse it with clear water. After that, you can hang it up to dry as usual.

If you're not satisfied with the result after the first attempt, then repeat the boiling process once more.

How Often Should the Hose Be Replaced?

The hose should be replaced from time to time. This is especially important depending on how often you smoke. If you enjoy a hookah every day, you should replace the hose at least every 6 months. For everyone else, a general rule of thumb is that replacing the hose once a year is sufficient.

While this might seem unnecessary to some, keep in mind that deposits form in the hose during each session, quickly allowing bacteria and pathogens to thrive. Additionally, there's the risk that the hose might adopt the flavor of a particular tobacco, which can alter the taste of your future sessions.

You can of course delay replacing the hose by cleaning it regularly, but this is also not advisable for too long!

What Types of Hoses Are There?

In addition to the well-known silicone hoses, there are also traditional leather hoses for hookahs, called Tradi-Hose or Coffee House Hose. Those who have been active in the hookah scene for a long time will surely remember them, as they are now rarely seen.

Although opinions vary greatly, we do not recommend cleaning Coffee House or Tradi-Hoses with water, as this can damage the leather and there is a risk that the hose will start to mold from the inside. Instead, it's advisable to just let them air out and ideally use them only for enjoying a single flavor (such as double apple) as is the tradition.

Where Can I Get the Right Hookah Hose?

If you want to save yourself the hassle of cleaning the hose, just buy a new silicone hose directly. The advantage of silicone hoses is their durability and universal usability. Silicone hoses fit on any hookah and any mouthpiece. Just make sure you have the right hose adapter for your hookah. Normally, it is included in the delivery.

A wide selection of