Photography: Kristina Soljo
When was the last time you cleaned your range hood filters? Range hood filters are often left to accumulate grease for months on end, purely because they’re out of sight and out of mind. Upon closer inspection, however, you might just realise that they’re discoloured and covered with grime.
Not that you need further convincing, but cleaning the filters in your range hood will ensure the appliance runs smoothly and clears the air efficiently. Built up grease is also a fire hazard, so keeping it clean will also improve the safety of your kitchen.
The good news is that removing all of that grease and grime is easier than you think! Here, we’ve trawled through all of the advice to bring you 5 reliable ways of cleaning your range hood filters. All require minimal scrubbing and zero expensive cleaning products.
1. Quick and regular cleans
The best way to keep mesh range hood filters clean is to wash and dry them often – every 1-2 weeks to be exact. By doing so, you’ll prevent layers of grease from building up in the mesh which can be difficult to wash away.
How to wash range hood filters by hand
Fill a sink with warm soapy water and place range hood filters inside. Allow the filter to soak for about 10 minutes. Then, using a non-scratch scour sponge or dish brush, gently scrub the mesh surface on both sides until all grease is removed. Rinse with warm water and allow to drip dry completely before replacing back into the rangehood.
Can I wash my rangehood filters in the dishwasher?
Yes, you can wash mesh range hood filters in the dishwasher. To wash range hood filters in the dishwasher, remove range hood filters and place them on the lower rack of the dishwasher. Run a warm to hot cycle and voila, your range hood filters will come out good as new.
2. How to clean a range hood using bi-carb soda
Left your range hood for longer than a couple of weeks? That’s ok, you can still get your rangehood filter back to its original state using a trusty pantry staple: bi carb soda. Bi-carb soda not only busts through grease, it’ll also help to banish any odours that have become trapped in amongst all the greasy mesh.
To use bi-carb soda to wash your range hood filters, simply fill a sink with warm soapy water and add a cup of bi-carb soda to the mix. Submerge the filters inside the solution and allow to soak for 10 minutes. Using either a non-scratch scour sponge or a dish brush, gently scrub the surface on both sides until all grease is removed. Rinse with warm water and allow filters to drip dry completely before replacing back in the rangehood.
3. Can you clean range hood filters using white vinegar?
Wondering whether it’s possible to clean a range hood with vinegar? It is! The only thing you need to keep in mind is that vinegar is acidic and can cause corrosion. That means, once you’ve finished cleaning the filters, it’s especially important to rinse and dry them well to prevent rust spots and etching on your filters.
To clean range hood filters with vinegar, fill a sink with warm soapy water and add a cup of white vinegar. Submerge the filters in the solution and allow to soak for 10 minutes. Using either a non-scratch scour sponge or a dish brush, clean both sides until clean before rinsing thoroughly with warm water. Allow to drip dry before replacing back in the rangehood.
4. How to clean range hood filters with Tricleanium
This method is for range hood filters that are highly soiled. It involves using Tricleanium, an Australian owned, cult-favourite cleaning product and heavy-duty degreaser. It cuts through even the most stubborn grease and grime.
Mix up the solution of hot water and Tricleanium according to the packet instructions (about 125mL of Tricleanium for every 9 litres of hot water). Submerge greasy filters in the solution and allow to soak for 10-15 minutes. Using a dish brush, lightly scrub any remaining stains or debris. Rinse thoroughly with warm water and allow to dry before placing back in the range hood.
5. How to clean range hood filters using Sugar Soap
Selleys Sugar Soap is another powerful degreaser that can help make your range hood filters sparkle like new.
Mix up the solution of hot water and Sugar Soap according to the packet instructions. Submerge the greasy filters in the solution and allow to soak for 10 minutes before scrubbing clean. Rinse the filters thoroughly and allow to dry completely before re-installing them in the range hood.
Should you clean range hood filters with Vanish Napisan?
No, don’t make this mistake! You might have seen influencers on social media cleaning range hood filters with Napisan, and while the product – typically used to remove stains from fabric – is great at lifting grease and grime, it could end up damaging your range hood filters. That’s because it contains an active ingredient that can cause discolouration and etching of aluminium, so while the end result may look clean, you could be left with dull, patchy-looking filters, which isn’t ideal.
Should you use boiling water to clean range hood filters?
Cleaning filters with boiling water or boiling the filters in water is totally unnecessary. While hotter water may dissolve grease faster, a single misstep could result in serious burns. Hot or warm water mixed with dishwashing liquid or a heavy duty degreaser is more than enough to dislodge even the toughest, baked on grime.
What’s the best way to clean large range hood filters?
If you have large range hood filters that don’t fit in your kitchen sink or dishwasher, you could try soaking them in your bathtub instead. Just be sure to lay down an old towel first so that the filters don’t damage the base of the tub. You’ll also need to give your bathtub a thorough clean afterwards to remove any residual grease that could become a slip hazard.
How often should I replace my range hood filters?
Both Chef and Westinghouse recommend replacing mesh range hood filters every one to two years. You’ll know that your range hood filters need to be replaced when you start noticing grease and grime building up on your kitchen cabinets or that odours are lingering around your kitchen well after you’ve finished cooking.
