All hookahs require frequent cleaning, irrespective of the style, size, and materials of the various components. However, one of the essential parts of a hookah is a rather tricky candidate when it comes to cleaning. That is the hookah hose.

Cleaning a hookah base or vase, stem, and bowl is a relatively straightforward process. You can change the water and clean the glass base almost effortlessly. Most hookah kits include a set of brushes, one thicker and shorter for the base and another thinner but longer for the stem.

However, there is no cleaning brush for the hookah hose. So, how exactly should you clean a hose?

4 Ways To Clean a Hookah Hose

Most hookah bases are made of glass, so the cleaning method is the same. Hookah stems are usually washable, so are the bowls. Thus, they are not of much concern. But a hookah hose is not necessarily washable. The wash-ability depends on the material of a hookah hose.

• Traditional hoses with a metal coil inside are not washable.
• Hoses with a plastic coil inside and faux leather outside are washable, but with a caveat.
• Disposable hoses are for one-time use, so washing is not even in contention. 
• Silicone hoses are washable. However, you should only use water, not soap. 

The metal coil inside a traditional hose will rust if you wash it. Thus, you cannot use water. A plastic coil will not rust, but washing such hoses numerous times will leave an adverse effect. The hose may discolor, the plastic material may degrade, and you may have other problems.

Disposable hoses are made of plastic and they are not washable. Do not reuse any disposable hose, irrespective of its price and quality. The only hose material that you can wash without any caveat is silicone. 

Since you cannot wash a traditional hose, the only way to clean it is by blowing air through it. Here are the steps to clean a traditional hose:

1. Remove the traditional hose with a metal coil and wooden handle from the hookah.
2. Straighten the hookah hose with the lower tip hanging straight down towards the floor. 
3. Take the mouthpiece and blow air through it, and try to generate some pressure.
4. This method should blow out the stale air and any gunk inside the hookah hose.

You should clean a traditional hose using this technique after every session. If some gunk builds up inside the hose and becomes rigid in due course, you will not be able to get rid of it by simply blowing air manually into the mouthpiece. You will need a more powerful cleaning method. 

Blowing air through a hose is a safe cleaning method for metal or plastic coils and silicone. But you may need compressed air if the hose has rigid gunk buildup, which can happen for any type of material, be it metal, plastic, or silicone. 

You may use pressurized air if you have such an appliance at home. Or, you can use small cans of compressed air. If you use an air compressor, regulate the pressure so that it is not too high. An extremely high psi or pressure may damage the plastic or metal coil inside a hose. 

Silicone hoses have an effortless cleaning routine. Here are the steps:

1. Take your silicone hose to a sink.
2. Hold the mouthpiece end under the faucet.
3. Open the tap all the way for optimum water pressure.
4. Allow the water to flow through the hose.
5. Keep the lower tip of the hose facing downward.
6. Let the flow of water wash out all the gunk.
7. Hang the hose with both tips facing downward.
8. Allow the hose to air dry before you reuse it. 

You can block some water inside a silicone hose and swish it, if necessary. However, do not use soap or any cleaning agent. Since you cannot access the middle parts inside a hose, there is no way to be sure that none of the soapy liquid or cleaning solution remains after you are done.

You do not need to swing a silicone hose if you wash it with water. However, a traditional hose with a metal coil or a contemporary one using a plastic interior may need some centrifugal force to get rid of the gunk inside. So hold the wand or handle firmly and swing the hose a few times. 

Irrespective of the hose material, always hang it with both tips facing downward. This alignment lets gravity to draw out any debris inside the hose. Also, a silicone hose will air dry sooner after washing if you hang it this way.