Cleaning Your Range Hood: How to Effectively Remove Sticky Grease
Keeping your range hood clean should be a regular part of your kitchen routine. Here's how to do it effectively with simple and efficient methods.
A range hood, or ventilation hood, is designed to remove cooking odors and steam while protecting kitchen surfaces from grease, but to keep it running smoothly, the filter inside must be cleaned regularly. Haven't done it in a while? No problem, our tips will help you easily get rid of that stubborn grease.
To clean a sticky range hood, you will first want to remove the filter. After removing the filter, clean your sticky range hood following these steps, avoiding abrasive cleaners or metal sponges.
- Mix dish soap with warm water, apply with a sponge, wipe with a damp cloth, and dry with a soft towel. For tougher grime, make a baking soda paste, apply, then wipe with a damp cloth and polish with a lint-free towel.
- For greasy spots, rub with a cut lemon, let it sit, then wipe with warm water.
- Alternatively, use vegetable oil on a paper towel, rub in circular motions, then wipe with a cleaner.
- For a deep clean, use a steam cleaner to dissolve grease and wipe with a damp cloth.
After cleaning the hood, you can now clean the range hood filter separately. The steps are similar, but you will want to be more delicate.
- First soak it in a mixture of dish soap and warm water, then scrub off loosened dirt with a sponge or brush.
- Alternatively, place the filter in a container, sprinkle with baking soda, fill with boiling water, let it soak for 30 minutes, then scrub and rinse. You can also place the filter in the dishwasher and run a high-temperature cycle.
Why clean your range hood? Cleaning your range hood is essential because greasy filters pose a fire hazard, decrease performance, and cause odors and greasy surfaces. The motor can become clogged with grease and fail, while grease buildup fosters bacteria and mold. Additionally, a clean hood enhances the overall appearance of your kitchen.
So how often should you clean your range hood? If you fry food frequently, then you should look to clean it once a month, if not, then every three months for less greasy cooking should be fine, and every six months for infrequent use.