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Keeping it Clean – Tips for Caring for Your E-Cigs and Vaporizers

Considering you use and handle them daily, put them to your lips, and store them in a pocket or purse with money and other not-so-sanitary things, your e-cigs and vaporizers probably need a bit of cleaning now and then. 

But don’t just polish up the exterior. The inside of your device can become dirty due to frequent use and it may need some occasional care to make sure it is working at its best and allowing you to experience the full pleasure of vaping.  

Please note that before doing any cleaning it is important to check the manufacturer’s user manual that came with your device. Some manufacturers, such as SmokeTip, offer Cleaning Kits for sale. You want to be sure to not use any harsh cleaners that could damage the device. You also don’t want to open parts that should not be opened.

Most e-cigs and vaporizers in general will require little maintenance beyond charging the battery and replace e-liquid/cartridges. But at times the vapor output and battery life can be affected by the device getting a bit dirty. Here’s some tips on keeping your device in tip-top shape.

Battery The battery portion of an e-cig is enclosed and you should not attempt to open it. But for cleaning purposes, it is good to make sure the threaded portion of it that connects to the cartridge is free of grime. Connection points where the device’s parts meet or are screwed together, can collect remnants of oils from your hands, dust and lint, and other dirt and residue that can cause the two parts to not fit as tightly together.

Again, it is important to check with your device’s user manual, but in most cases using a damp cotton ball to wipe off these connection tips weekly is a good idea. If you notice that a cotton ball is failing to get the job done, you might want to try using a toothpick or tweezers to gently scrap and pull any dirt from the threads/crevices that help tightly connect the battery to the cartridge. Be gentle to ensure you don’t damage the threads at the connection point. And always make sure the parts are completely dry before reassembling your e-cig or vaporizer.

Cartridge The cartridge portion of an e-cig is the part that holds the e-liquid. Also known as a cartomizer, they can be pre-filled and disposable or refillable and reusable. In many cases, e-cigarettes only have two pieces – the battery and the e-liquid cartridge. If you use pre-filled cartridges, in general you will only occasionally have to clean the threaded end with a damp cotton ball. If you use refillable cartridges, you might wish to wipe the inside with a Q-tip or rolled-up tissue to remove the residue of old e-liquid. Many users do this in particular when switching to another flavor so that the old flavor doesn’t mix in. In general, you can simply your cleaning job by not overfilling the cartridge with e-liquid. If you do overfill the cartridge, you might need to gently blow through the cartridge to force the excess e-liquid out. Be sure to place a paper towel or tissue over the end to collect any liquid that comes out. Also, remember that nicotine can be easily absorbed through the skin. You should wash your hands with soap and water immediately if they come in contact with it.

You also will want to periodically check the cotton batting that is often used to absorb e-liquid within an e-cig or vaporizer. This batting can eventually lose its ability to collect moisture and should be replaced on occasion. 

Mouthpiece At times some e-liquid residue can cling to the inside of your e-cig’s mouthpiece. This can reduce the amount of vapor that is inhaled and keep you from getting the satisfying plume you desire. Also, traces of food or drink, or germs, can easily end up on your mouthpiece and within it. The best way to limit this is to remove the mouthpiece from the device and clean it regularly. It’s a tight space inside the mouthpiece so you will need to take a small piece of tissue and roll it tightly with your fingers until it is narrow enough, yet still sturdy, to fit inside. Keep the tissue dry so that it doesn’t break up in the mouthpiece. Any grime, dirt or leftover e-liquid should cling to the tissue and be removed when you pull the tissue out.

As mentioned above, e-cigs and vaporizers are largely maintenance-free. But a little cleaning now and then can make sure you always get a satisfying and tasty vape and extend the life of your device.