The Easiest & Fastest Way to Clean Range Hood Filters
If your range hood filters have started looking a bit gross, don’t stress. They all get like that eventually. It just means they’re doing their job catching grease and smoke before it spreads.
But over time, the buildup thickens. When that happens, your rangehood stops working as well as it should. And all that grease hanging around? It's not great. We’ll get into why in a bit.
The good news is this: cleaning them is super easy, and you don't need any fancy gear. All it takes is water, vinegar, a touch of baking soda, and you'll have it sorted within the hour.
Here’s everything you need to get started:
- Hot water
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White vinegar to cut through the grease
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Baking soda to boost the cleaning power
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Your go-to dish soap
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A microfibre cloth (handy if your filter’s on the delicate side)
- A non-metal scrubbing brush
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A pair of gloves for safety
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A large sink or bucket (big enough to soak the filter, and yep, your sink needs a working stopper)
- Organic cleaning liquid as a backup (if you prefer not to use regular dish soap)
Alright, Let’s Do This
Turn the rangehood off first
Step 1: Remove the Filter
Make sure your rangehood is turned off and cooled down. Most filters just slide or pop out without needing any tools.
Hint: Check along the edges or underneath the hood. Some range hoods have a latch you’ll need to press or slide to get the filters out.
Step 2: Prep the Sink
Turn on the hot tap to the hottest temperature you can handle and fill your sink with water. From here, give the water one firm squeeze of dish soap to start the bubbles off.
Now put in a half cup of vinegar and two tablespoons of baking soda and give it a quick mix. You can use any kitchen utensil you've got lying around or the brush you've prepared to do this.
It’ll start fizzing up pretty quickly at this point. Don’t worry about the fizz, because that’s just the reaction kicking in. This mix will do a lot of heavy lifting in the next steps.
Step 3: Gently Drop It In
Submerge the filter and let it soak for 20 minutes. If it's really caked in grease, give it a good 30-minute soaking.
The heat and baking soda will do most of the heavy lifting, so all you've got left to do now is wait.
Step 4: Bring Out the Brush
Throw on some gloves and scrub off any remaining grime.
Don’t press too hard because some mesh types can tear quite easily. And you don't really need to either because most of the grease would've been loosened up by now.
(I got cocky and cut myself last week on this step thinking I didn’t need gloves. Don’t be me 😊)
Step 5: Wash It Down
Hold it under warm running water until all the food residues are gone. If it still feels slippery or slimy anywhere, keep washing it until it's completely clean.
Step 6: Dry It Off
Don't reinstall the filter while it's still wet because moisture can damage the motor. You'll want to first lay it flat on a clean tea towel or microfibre cloth and let it air-dry completely.
This is the best way to avoid messing with the electronics inside the machine.
Final Step: Reinstall the Filter
Once it’s bone dry, you can clip it back in. It's good to give the rangehood and stovetop a quick wipe-down here just to end on a clean note. So if you'd like, spray the hood and stovetop with a bit of natural cleaner to finish off.
Well done for making it this far!
Common Mistakes (That Are Easy to Fix)
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Pressing too hard while scrubbing. This is an easy way to tear the mesh. In fact, I tried brute-forcing it once with a scouring pad and dislodged the mesh by accident.
It took a lot of work and effort trying to get it to clip back into place. So I've learnt to let the brush do the work and not apply too much pressure.
- Not soaking for long enough. This cuts the clean short, meaning deep encrusted grime doesn't get enough time to break down. As a result, you’ll end up scrubbing harder than you have to.
- Reinstalling while wet. Just like with any electronic, you don't want moisture near the motor. Always make sure the filter is completely dry before clipping it back in.
Why Even Bother At All?
Putting off regular cleans might seem fine, but over time it can lead to a few issues you’d rather avoid.
- It’s not just about cleanliness, uncleaned filters can affect your health too. Long-term studies link cooking oil fumes to bad air quality and even higher cancer risk in chefs. The thing is, grease builds up silently until it becomes an actual problem.
- Grease can drip. From the hood onto your stove, into your food, or even near an open flame. Not to be overdramatic, but if left long enough, it can turn into a real hazard.
- A weak suction means a smoky kitchen. Clogged filters slow your rangehood down, leaving smoke hanging in the air. That’s especially not ideal if you’ve got little ones or anyone with sensitive lungs at home.
Common Questions
How often should I clean the filter?
Every 1 to 3 months. Though if you cook a lot at home or deep-fry stuff, aim for monthly.
Can it go in the dishwasher?
Most metal filters can but it's best to check for a dishwasher-safe symbol or see the filter's manual. Keep in mind though, the grease has to go somewhere if you opt for the dishwasher.
Clogging pipes are a risk you should account for. So I'd say for thick grease, the soak-and-scrub method is still your best bet.
What if I want a natural alternative for my soak?
Try this natural all-purpose cleaner. It works wonders for this task. Though it can get quite bubbly so I wouldn't fill the water up too high.
How do I know when my filter needs replacing?
If it’s bent, or still has a rust-like look after a proper clean, that's a sign that it needs to go.
If after you've cleaned it and steam and smells still seem to stick around, that's another cue.
My personal litmus test is if you hold a tissue to the vent and it barely moves, that's my tell-tale sign to replace it.
While You’re in Cleaning Mode:
[How to Clean Shower Screens Fast — 5 Simple Steps]
[How to Clean a Mattress: The Only Guide You’ll Ever Need]
