Your oven hood does a lot to keep your kitchen looking clean, but the oils from cooking can build up and make it look dirty. These tips will show you how to clean a range hood quickly and easily.
How to Clean a Range Hood
If your range hood and range hood filter is looking a little worse for wear, don’t worry – we’re here to help. In this article, we’ll show you how to clean a range hood inside and out, so it can look as good as new again.
Wipe Down the Outside of Your Range Hood
The first step is to wipe down the outside, where grease has landed and dust settled in. Use thick paper towels or your best rags to really clean this section up. To make sure you break up the amalgam of grease and dust, use an anti-grease dish soap. Mix a little of it with warm water (you can fill your sink with this mixture if you are planning a big cleaning project) and thoroughly wipe down the hood. Finish up with a basic cleaner spray like this vinegar solution and some paper towels to clear away leftover residue.
Always test a small area corner of your range hood before using special cleaners or chemicals that claim to remove grease. These powerful products may also damage finishes or the surface appearance.
Clean Away Any Stains Under the Hood
Now it’s time to clean the underside of the hood, around where the vent is installed. If it’s been a while since the hood was cleaned, this spot may be a blackened mess. It’s a good idea to switch to a scrubbing brush like this one to tackle any large grease or ash deposits. Gas ranges tend to get especially dirty in this area.
If you’re not sure where to start with these stains, OxiClean is a great product. Another option is using grease-cutting dish soap and warm water mixed with baking soda or soda and dish soap. If the build-up is bad, make a paste out of the baking soda and apply it to the underside of the range hoods
. Leave it for half an hour or so; Baking soda often neutralizes acidic compounds and can break grease apart.
To keep your oven clean, wipe it down with paper towels or rags frequently to get rid of built-up grease. You can use a cleaning spray too but make sure it’s gentle. The same goes for the inside of your oven–just be careful to avoid cleaners that might release toxic fumes.
Take Out the Filter and Clean It
The hood filters on your range hood is what catches the most grease, so it needs to be cleaned carefully. To clean it, first remove the greasy filters—most have a metal loop that you can use to pull it out. If you don’t want to get greasy, wear gloves!
Fill your sink with hot water as you can stand (the hotter, the better, although you don’t want to burn yourself while you work). Add around a teaspoon of anti-grease dish soap and about ¼ cup of baking soda to the water, and then fully submerge the filter.
Soak the filter for 15 to 20 minutes, then get your scrub brush and tackle the filter with firm brushing strokes. Use moderate pressure so that you won’t damage the filter, but don’t be afraid to be vigorous. Drain and refill the sink with new soapy water as needed. When the filter is clean again, rinse it off and dry it thoroughly with a cloth.
Final Thoughts on How to Clean a Range Hood
To keep your range hood clean and working at its best, it’s important to treat stains as soon as they appear. Regular maintenance like wiping down the outside and cleaning the filter can go a long way towards preventing more serious build-up. Whether you’re using basic cleaners or specialized products, make sure you follow all instructions carefully, and be careful when working inside or around your oven or stove. With these simple tips, you’ll be able to keep your range hood looking great for years to come!