The Ultimate Guide To Range Hood Cleaning (5 Simple Steps)

You may not know it, but your range hood does some pretty heavy lifting to ensure your kitchen stays clean.

It sucks up particles in the air like smoke, steam and odours away from your stovetops and vents them outside, so your home’s air quality is maintained.

But when exactly was the last time you cleaned your range hood?

If you’re like most homeowners, you might have just now thought about your range hood as something that needs regular cleaning.

If you’re feeling lost, have no fear!

As a professional cleaning service, we’re here to share the best advice on effectively cleaning your range hood. Read on to learn why and how you should conduct regular range hood cleaning.

Rangehoods are just one part of the kitchen, for the full picture of what a professional visit covers, see our house cleaning checklist.

Why maintain my range hood?

Inside your rangehood is the filter that keeps your air safe and clean.

A range hood filter is designed to trap grease and dirt, and without it, debris could get stuck in the range hood vents and potentially become a fire hazard.
You must maintain your range hood by degreasing it regularly and deep cleaning the filter to ensure its proper functioning and to check the vents for any debris that may have escaped, posing a significant safety risk for your home and its occupants.

Range hoods regularly cleaned are more likely to have longer lifespans and a reduced likelihood of harmful bacteria or mould colonising the area and posing a bio-hazard.

Neglecting your range hood doesn’t just mean a greasier kitchen. Trapped grease is flammable, and a badly clogged filter forces your range hood’s fan to work harder to pull air through, which can shorten its lifespan and push up your energy bills. Regular cleaning also sto

Essential range hood cleaning supplies

To effectively clean your range hood, you’ll want to have all or at least most of these supplies on hand:

• Gloves
• Detergent
• Vinegar
• Baking soda
• Spray bottle
• A dusting brush with soft bristles
• A hard-bristled scrub brush
• Microfiber cloth

How to clean your range hood

Due to its function as a grease and debris trapper/remover, the chances are that when you disassemble your range hood, you will find a considerable amount of grease and dirt.

That’s why we’ve outlined a step-by-step process to give your greasy range hood an effective cleaning:

Step 1: Dust your range hood

First, start easy by removing any dust that has gathered on and inside your hood. You’ll want to remove dust using a soft-bristled brush.

Make sure to put a kitchen towel or plastic sheet on top of the stove before you begin dusting to prevent dust from falling onto your (hypothetically) clean stove!

Step 2: Remove the range hood filter and deep clean

This is the most crucial step. Deep cleaning your greasy range hood filter is key to ensure its proper functioning.

Here are some tips for range hood filter cleaning:

• Ensure all powerpoints are off:First, make yourself aware of any electrical components of the rangehood and ensure they are all turned off so that you don’t electrocute yourself.
• Removing the filter:Find and remove your rangehood filter. Most filters are visible and found on the underside of your exhaust hood. Some filters have handles, so you can grab them and slide them back to pull them off.
• Soaking the filter:If you don’t often clean your hood or it’s the very first time, it’s a good idea to let the filter soak before cleaning. Place greasy filters into a bucket or sink with dish soap and hot water to soak them.
• Handwashing the filter:To hand wash the filter, you can wash it in the sink with dish soap and warm water using a hard bristled brush to scrub all the nooks and crannies. Before reinstalling, all that’s left to do is allow it to air dry.
• Washing the filter in the dishwasher: Most aluminium mesh and baffle filters are dishwasher safe, but always check first (see the filter types below, since charcoal filters should never go in the dishwasher). If yours is dishwasher-safe, place it on its own, angled so water reaches every gap, and run it on a hot cycle. Skip the rinse-aid dispenser, as some rinse aids leave a scent that can transfer to food later. Let the filter air dry completely before reinstalling, trapped moisture can encourage mould or affect how well the fan draws air.

Understanding range hood filter types

Not every range hood filter is cleaned the same way, and using the wrong method can damage the filter or leave it not working properly.

• Aluminium mesh filters: The most common type in Australian kitchens. These are washable and generally dishwasher-safe. Soak first to loosen grease, then either hand wash or run them through the dishwasher.
• Baffle filters: Made from overlapping metal panels, common in higher-end range hoods. Also washable and dishwasher-safe, and generally more effective than mesh at trapping grease.
• Charcoal (carbon) filters: Used in recirculating range hoods that don’t vent outside. These absorb odours rather than trap grease, and they cannot be washed or reused. Once a charcoal filter is saturated, usually every 3 to 6 months with regular use, it needs to be replaced rather than cleaned.

If you’re not sure which type you have, check your range hood’s manual or look for a “do not wash” label. Washing a charcoal filter won’t damage it immediately, but it won’t restore it either, since the carbon itself needs replacing, not rinsing.

Step 3: Clean the outside of your hood

Cleaning the outside is the most important task within the oven hood, cosmetically speaking, as this part of the hood meets the eye of you and your guests.

Wipe down the outside of the hood using a microfiber cloth and detergent to help eliminate grease. Once you’ve thoroughly cleaned the outside with soapy water, you can use a vinegar and water mixture to spray and wipe the surface.

If your range hood has a stainless steel finish, wipe in the direction of the grain to avoid streaking, and steer clear of abrasive scourers or steel wool, which can leave permanent scratches. A few drops of dish soap on a microfibre cloth, followed by a light vinegar-water wipe, is usually enough to get a streak-free finish without dulling the surface.

Step 4: Degrease the inside of the hood

The inside of your hood is going to need a good degreasing. You can again use a mixture of detergent and hot water to attack the grease here, scrubbing with a long handle hard bristled brush to get up into the more difficult spots, wearing gloves throughout this process is a good idea.

When you’ve cleaned off all the grease and stains, you can come in with a microfiber cloth to wipe away any soapy water residue so it’s all dry.
Baking soda paste can be easily homemade and is extremely useful for strains or cakes of tough grease that won’t budge using detergent.

Mix baking soda with warm water and apply the paste, leaving it for around 20 minutes. This will break down difficult-to-remove grime so that you can easily wipe it off.

Avoid mixing cleaning products, particularly bleach and ammonia-based cleaners, as combining them can release harmful fumes. Stick to one product at a time and rinse thoroughly before switching to the next.

Step 5: Check the vent for safety

Take a moment to properly check the vent for any possible debris that may have gotten there over the years.

This is a crucial component of your range hood cleaning, as debris in the vent can pose a fire hazard and inhibit the proper functioning of your range hood, preventing it from adequately exhausting harmful smoke and odours.

To check the vent, get a torch and remove the vent cap so that you can shine it into the vent to inspect it visually. If there is any debris, call a duct cleaning professional to take care of it ASAP.

Hire a professional for your range hood cleaning needs!

Does keeping on top of your range hood maintenance seem tiring and time-consuming?

Even with our guide, the reality is that some people don’t have the time in their lives to maintain their range hood through regular cleaning properly.

Here at Absolute Domestics, we’ve got you covered. You can book a regular cleaning service with us, or if it suits your fancy, we also provide one-off cleans, where your cleaner can undoubtedly take care of the range hood, too.

With over 5,000 seasoned cleaning professionals under our direction, we can provide you with all the house cleaning services you need to free up time in your busy life.

Book now and receive an exceptional professional-grade cleaning service. For more kitchen and bathroom upkeep tips, see our guide to typical house cleaning duties and our shower cleaning guide.

Frequently asked questions

How do you remove grease from range hoods?

Removing grease can be done with a simple mixture of soap and water and a good scrubbing brush.

Detergents reduce the surface tension of water to allow it to mix more readily with grease, lifting it from the desired surface. Vinegar solution or baking soda should do the job for extremely greasy surfaces.

How often should you clean a range hood?

You should clean your range hood at least every few months. As an essential and underrated appliance in your kitchen, you want to ensure that you properly maintain it to ensure it’s in good working condition by cleaning your range hood regularly.
As a general guide, wipe the outside and check the filter every 2 to 4 weeks if you cook often, especially if you’re frying or cooking with a lot of oil. If you mostly boil, steam or cook lighter meals, every 6 to 8 weeks is usually enough. A deep clean of the filter and interior, following the steps above, is worth doing every 1 to 3 months regardless of cooking style, since grease builds up even when it isn’t visible.

Can you put range hood filters in the dishwasher?

You can place most range hood filters into the dishwasher, but it’s always a good idea to check the owner’s manual beforehand to see what type of filter you have and if it is approved for a dishwasher.

What’s the difference between mesh, baffle and charcoal range hood filters?

Mesh and baffle filters are made of metal, trap grease, and can usually be washed by hand or in the dishwasher. Charcoal filters absorb odour instead of grease, can’t be washed, and need replacing every few months. Check your range hood’s manual if you’re not sure which type you have.

Can I use a magic eraser or steel wool on my range hood?

It’s best to avoid steel wool, scouring pads, and abrasive sponges on stainless steel or painted range hoods, as they can scratch the surface permanently. A melamine sponge (like a magic eraser) can help with stubborn marks on painted surfaces, but test it on a small hidden spot first, since it can dull some finishes.