How to clean a kitchen hood? The extractor hood in the kitchen should absolutely be thoroughly cleaned at least once a month.
To prevent it from becoming very greasy, here are 10 tips and tricks for cleaning and degreasing the kitchen hood. Happy cleaning!
1. Clean the hood with soapy water
Regardless of the material of your kitchen hood, stainless steel or copper, you must use a soft cloth (no abrasive sponge or brush) to avoid damaging the surface of the hood.
Soapy water with a soft cloth is sufficient for regular maintenance and cleaning of the extractor hood. A cleaning once a month or maximum every 2 months.
For the hood and the appliances!
In addition to being useful for cleaning the kitchen hood, soapy water is ideal for cleaning household appliances.
A soft sponge or soft cloth (with soapy water) is also suitable for cabinets and kitchen furniture: Clean melamine kitchen cabinets.
2. Degrease the hood with white vinegar
Vinegar is another natural thing that you can use to degrease the range hood but also to clean the range hood filter.
Here’s how to degrease the hood with vinegar:
- Heat white vinegar in a saucepan or in the microwave.
- Soak a cloth in hot vinegar and clean the extractor hood.
For regular cleaning of the hood you can also simply make a mixture of vinegar and lukewarm water.
Vinegar is effective in dislodging stuck-on dirt and dust and therefore in cleaning a very greasy extractor hood.
If your range hood is very greasy and difficult to clean then the next tip is for you!
Before using a cleaning product and a cloth to clean the outside of the hood but also the filters, here’s what to do:
- Fill a pot with water and add a cup of lemon juice.
- Bring to a boil for a few minutes.
- Then use a cloth and soapy water to clean the range hood.
Boiling water with lemon juice will help soften greasy stains on the stainless steel or copper surface of your cooker hood. A step not to forget next time!
4. Cleaning the hood with black soap
Another natural product that you can use for cleaning a kitchen hood made of stainless steel, copper or other material is black soap.
Black soap is an excellent cleaning product for cleaning but especially for degreasing the kitchen hood.
- Soak a soft cloth in liquid black soap and rub the entire surface of the hood.
- Then rinse with a cloth and warm or hot water.
- Take a new, soft, clean cloth and polish the surface of the extractor hood with circular movements.
For a stainless steel hood you can also use a little vegetable oil on a cloth to polish and shine the stainless steel.
If you want to know other tips and tricks to make stainless steel shine, it’s here: How to clean stainless?
5. Clean the kitchen hood filters
To ensure good air evacuation and proper operation of the hood, it is important to regularly clean and degrease the filter(s).
Wash the filters in the dishwasher:
Personally, I use the dishwasher to clean the hood filters. Just spray white vinegar all over the filters surface and pop them in the dishwasher for a quick cleanup.
Wash the filters by hand:
- Fill the kitchen sink with boiling water and add 1/2 cup baking soda and a capful of liquid dish soap.
- Mix well and soak the extractor hood filter for 1-2 hours.
- Then brush the filters with a soft bristle brush, rinse with hot water and let dry before replacing.