Cleaning and caring for your vape: how to make it last

A vape spends its days in your pocket, gathering lint and liquid residue, and sooner or later it charges poorly or tastes flat. Most of it can be fixed in five minutes. This guide shows you how to keep your pod system and refillable vape clean without breaking anything.

Before you start

Two ground rules: switch the device off (or remove the pod) and keep water away from the electronics. Never hold the battery part or the contacts under the tap. For cleaning, a dry or slightly damp cloth, cotton buds and a little patience are all you need. After cleaning, let everything dry fully before putting it back together.

Cleaning the mouthpiece

The mouthpiece has the most direct contact and clogs up the fastest.

1. Remove it if possible. Many pods and drip tips pull off.
2. Rinse with warm water and clean the inside with a cotton bud.
3. Let it dry completely, ideally in the open air, before putting it back.

If the mouthpiece is fixed (as on many pod systems), only wipe the outside and gently run a dry cotton bud through the opening.

Cleaning the pod

Cleaning the pod regularly keeps the flavour fresh, especially when you switch flavours.

• Empty the pod, then rinse it out with warm water.
• Shake it out well and let it dry for at least an hour, ideally overnight. Leftover water spoils the taste and can cause gurgling.
• Don't soak the coil area if the atomiser head is fixed. In that case it's better to simply replace the pod. When a change is due is covered in the guide Changing the coil.

When refilling, the right technique keeps it from leaking. You'll find pods, tanks and spare parts under Pods & refill tanks and Accessories.

Keeping the contacts clean

Between the battery and the pod sit small metal contacts. Liquid that runs there disrupts the power transfer, so the vape draws weakly or not at all.

1. Take a dry cotton bud, no water.
2. Dab the contacts gently until no film of liquid is shining any more.
3. For stubborn residue, dampen the bud with a tiny amount of high-proof alcohol (isopropanol) and let it dry well afterwards.

Do this as soon as the vape has leaked, or routinely whenever you change the pod.

Caring for the USB-C port

The most common reason a vape "won't charge any more" is pocket lint in the USB-C port.

• A dry cotton bud or a toothpick with a little cotton to pull the lint out.
• Nothing sharp and metal in the port, as it damages the contacts.
• Compressed air (a short burst) helps with fine dust.

If the vape still refuses afterwards, test the cable and charger with another device. More on this in the Charging your vape guide.

Storage and protecting the battery

Care isn't just about cleaning. How you store the device decides the battery's lifespan.

• Not in direct sunlight or in a hot car. Heat damages the battery.
• Cold reduces performance, so in winter carry the vape close to your body.
• Store it upright, mouthpiece up, so no liquid runs into the electronics.
• Charging tips and safety around the battery are in the guide Vape battery safety.

In short

• Clean the mouthpiece and pod regularly with warm water, then let them dry completely.
• Clean the contacts and USB-C port with dry tools only, never hold them under water.
• Lint in the charging port is the most common reason charging fails, a cotton bud is enough.
• Store upright, cool and away from heat, which protects the battery and the flavour.

Many products contain nicotine (up to 20 mg/ml); nicotine is highly addictive. Sold only to adults aged 18 and over. Not a substitute for medical advice.