How to Clean A Vape Pen and What You Need to Know

Vape pens are gaining more popularity as products for cannabis, CBD, and other vapable substances. These products are convenient and user-friendly, but they need periodic maintenance. Good hygiene practices are essential for your vape pen, and following a cleaning schedule is vital for preserving your equipment’s functionality and safety.

STEP 1: RESEARCH YOUR VAPE PEN’S MODEL AND CONSTRUCTION

Know your vape pen inside and out to avoid damage or malfunctions. This means understanding its individual components and model.

Ideally, you should be familiar with the product’s brand, model number, and name. Many of these items have manuals and other resources available online to help you identify components and determine proper cleaning methods.

Construction of a Vape Pen

Vape pens come in various shapes, sizes, features, and functions. Some require a button push to activate the heating element, while others activate when drawn. Some have removable lithium-ion batteries while others have built-in ones. Generally, a vape pen comprises the following components:

• Battery
• Tank
• Atomizer
• Mouthpiece
• Button

STEP 2: DISASSEMBLE YOUR VAPE PEN

Once you are familiar with the individual parts of your vape pen, it’s crucial to disassemble it. Most vape pens are threaded, meaning they can be screwed together or unscrewed to come apart. However, some vape pens snap together using plastic. To ensure a thorough cleaning, it’s important to completely disassemble your vape pen. If you are uncertain about how to take your device apart, you can usually find the product’s user manual online.

STEP 3: GENTLY SCRUB YOUR EQUIPMENT

How to Clean Your Mouthpiece

(Materials needed: Rubbing alcohol, cotton swabs, paper towels, bowl, water)

Keeping your mouthpiece clean is crucial for hygienic vaping. Use a cotton swab or cloth soaked in rubbing alcohol to thoroughly clean the inside and outside of the mouthpiece, paying special attention to any buildup. For a more thorough cleaning, you can soak the mouthpiece in rubbing alcohol or water for up to an hour before cleaning. Once cleaned, place the mouthpiece on a paper towel or cloth to dry.

How to Clean a Vape Pen Cartridge

(Materials needed: Rubbing alcohol, cotton swabs, paper towel)

Cleaning cartridge-loaded vape pens is generally easier than cleaning tank-based vape pens. Dab cotton swabs in rubbing alcohol and gently scrub the exterior of the cartridge, taking special care to remove any residue on the outside of the cartridge. Once the exterior is clean, use a paper towel to dry the outside of the cartridge completely.

Important note:

Never submerge your cartridge in alcohol or other liquids. This may contaminate your vape oil, produce harsh flavors, or dramatically affect your vaping experience.

How to Clean a Clogged Vape Cartridge

(Materials needed: Safety pin, hair dryer)

The oil inside the cartridge can solidify, blocking the airflow through it. You can try using a safety pin’s fine point to clear the clog in some cases. If that doesn’t work, gently warm the cartridge with a hair dryer from about a foot or two away. After it has warmed for a minute or so, try using the safety pin again to remove the clog. Continue this process until the clog has been successfully cleared. If the cartridge remains clogged after multiple attempts, you may need to replace the cartridge entirely.

How to Clean the Tank*

(Materials required: Rubbing alcohol, cotton swabs, paper towels, bowl, and water)  

If your vape pen uses cartridges, skip this section.

Rubbing alcohol, cotton swabs, paper towels, bowl, and water) If your vape pen uses cartridges, skip this section.

To clean the tank, first empty it of any residue from prior use. To clean liquid residue, tilt the tank sideways and drain it onto paper towels or a waste management receptacle. Do not pour liquid directly down the sink drain. For solid concentrates, use a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol to scrub away any residue. Soak the tank in a mixture of rubbing alcohol and water for an hour. Afterward, wipe down the interior with a cotton swab before letting it air dry on paper towels.

STEP 4: ALLOW YOUR VAPE PEN TO DRY

To ensure you don’t get any “off” flavors or the essence of rubbing alcohol in your vape pen, give your vape pen enough time to fully dry. If you want to accelerate the drying process, you can use paper towels or cloth to wipe off any visible droplets. Once your equipment is fully dry, it is safe to refill your tank or insert a new cartridge, reassemble the individual components, and vape your products.

STEP 5: MAINTAIN A REGULAR CLEANING SCHEDULE

Even if you only vape occasionally, you should clean your vape pen at least once a week. Depending on the amount of vaping you do, you may need to clean your equipment more frequently. A good rule of thumb is to clean your equipment as soon as you see any residue on the exterior of your vape pen, or whenever your vape has an irregular, “off” taste.