Cleaning the dishes and kitchen countertops is usually part of one’s daily routine. After all, it’s essential to clean up right after a meal to avoid the eventual pileup in your to-do list. There’s one part of the kitchen, however, that’s often overlooked: the range hood.
Yes, it’s perfectly normal not to pay attention to your range hood daily, especially the filter. However, it’s important to clean it every once in a while for it to operate efficiently whether you are using a ducted or a ductless range hood. Your range hood filter might lose its effectiveness if it’s clogged by too much grease and debris.
So how exactly do you clean your range hood filter?
The easy way out is cleaning them through your dishwasher, but if it’s been a while since you’ve paid attention to your range hood filter, it requires more effort to bring it back to its pristine condition.
This super easy step-by-step tutorial will help walk you through the process to make your range hood filter spic and span.
How to Clean Range Hood Filter
The Essentials
- Boiling (or very hot) water
- Degreasing dish soap
- Baking soda
- Dust brush cleaner
- Non-abrasive scrub brush
- Paper towels (or a dishcloth)
1: Remove the filters from the hood.
The method of which would depend on your particular model. Most filters can be removed by sliding them out or popping them out of the underside of the hood.
2. Eliminate the dust that accumulated on your filters.
Using a dush brush cleaner, remove all the dry layers of dust on your filters. The amount of dust will depend on how long you haven’t cleaned your range hood filter.
3. Fill a bucket or washing basin with boiling water.
The general rule here is that the higher the temperature is, the more effective it is. You must handle this with care to avoid getting burned.
Also Read: Best Range Hoods for 2021
4. Pour in the degreasing dish soap and baking soda.
Add a good amount of degreasing dish soap into the hot water. About a fourth cup of baking soda would suffice. Mix these with the non-abrasive scrub brush until the water is soapy. Please don’t use your hand as the water is too hot.
5. Put your greasy filters in the mixture.
The filters need to be completely submerged in the mixture. Soak them in the hot water solution for about 10 minutes.
6. Scrub the filters with your brush.
After soaking the filters, it’s time to brush them to clean every nook and cranny of your filters. You can add more soap as you scrub if needed
7. Rinse and dry.
Thoroughly rinse the filters in a new basin of hot water to remove the soap. You can pat your filters dry afterward with paper towels or a dishcloth. If you’re not in a rush, you can even let them air dry.
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8. Replace the filters in the hood.
Once dry, put the filters back in their proper place. It is recommended to clean one’s range hood filter once a month or bi-monthly if you’re always whipping up something in the kitchen.
Cleaning one’s range hood filter is a relatively easy procedure that anyone can do. You don’t need a pair of extra hands or a lot of materials to keep your range hood filters fresh and squeaky clean.
For range hood filters that have been neglected for a long period of time, it would be best to soak in the soapy water solution longer to remove all the excess gunk. You may even repeat the process of cleaning each filter if needed.
Having trouble? Check out this detailed video below
How to Clean Range Hood Filter: FAQs
Q1: What’s the purpose of a range hood filter?
A range hood filter is a kitchen appliance placed above the stove that extracts all grease, dirt, and other contaminants from your kitchen. Usually made of charcoal or metallic materials, it functions as an exhaust fan, and it also helps improve the air quality of your kitchen.
Q2: How often should I clean my range hood filter?
Ideally, you should clean your range hood filter once a month or bi-monthly if you cook up a lot of food heavy on grease and oil in the kitchen. If you’re not the type to cook up a storm regularly, cleaning this once every three months should suffice. It really depends on the amount of cooking you do on your stove.
Q3: How do I remove my range hood filter?
Before anything else, make sure your exhaust filter is off, and that includes the lights and the fans. The process of removing one’s range hood filter would depend on the particular model you have in the kitchen. Most range hood filters can be removed by simply sliding them out or popping them out under the hood.
Q4: Can I use vinegar as a degreaser?
Yes, you can opt to make your own natural degreaser by mixing distilled vinegar (or white vinegar) with water if you want to go for a cheaper route of range hood filter cleaning. The odor of the vinegar might be overwhelming at first, but it will go away eventually.
Q5: Can I just use my dishwasher to clean my exhaust filter?
Yes, you can, but if you haven’t conducted range hood filter cleaning in months, or worse, in a year, it would be ideal to clean your range filters manually for the best results. It won’t take too much of your time, and the effort will be worth it.
Conclusion
Cleaning the range hoods may not be a glamorous task, but it’s something one should do regularly for your range hood filter to function at its optimal level.
A clean exhaust filter is an effective exhaust filter. Besides, it’s a simple process that doesn’t require a lot of fancy equipment and cleaning aids.
At the end of the day, it is important to maintain the cleanliness of one’s kitchen, because the food you prepare in your kitchen has an impact on your and your family’s (or dinner party) health.
