A Comprehensive Guide to Cleaning Your Vent Hood

Nothing looks and sounds better than a clean range hood. There’s nothing more dreadful and repulsive than a dusty, dirty, and greasy buildup on your range hood. Keeping this piece of appliance clean is essential not only for appearance’s sake but also for maintaining a clean kitchen environment. 

But just as nothing stays new forever, dust, dirt, and grease are not permanent either. Learning how to clean your custom-made vent hood, and ‘Do-it-Yourself’ for that matter, is a badge of honor. Here’s a complete guide to vent hood maintenance to get you started.

Why Is It Necessary To Clean Vent Hood?

Aesthetics aside, there are some health and safety considerations for keeping the range hood in your kitchen in tip-top shape. The vent hood, after all, is responsible for cleaning the air in your kitchen – and there’s a lot of smoke, fumes, and airborne particles floating around in the kitchen.

Left to clog up the range hood, this unwanted waste hinders its ventilating function. This buildup can pose a fire hazard since it becomes highly flammable and reduces the lifespan of the range hood. Cleaning your vent hood, you guessed it, improves air quality, fire prevention, and lifespan. 

Why is it necessary to clean vent hood filters

You might wonder, should vent hood filters be cleaned regularly? Yes, it’s crucial to clean vent hood filters regularly to prevent the buildup of grease and debris. This is important because clogged filters can pose a fire hazard, as the accumulated grease and debris can ignite when exposed to high temperatures. 

Furthermore, a buildup of grease and other materials can hamper the fan’s efficiency, resulting in smoke, odors, and reduced kitchen performance. Therefore, regular cleaning is crucial for fire prevention and upholding kitchen hygiene.

Tools and Materials for Cleaning Your Vent Hood

To begin, gather the following tools and materials:

• Hot water
• Degreasing dish soap
• Vinegar
• Baking soda
• Microfiber cloth or paper towels
• Soft bristles (for cleaning) and sturdy bristles (for scrubbing) brushes
• Cleaning gloves

Cleaning Procedure: Start with the Exterior

Dirt, dust, and grease are more noticeable on the exterior and are most definitely a buzzkill for guests. Regularly maintaining and cleaning the exterior parts will improve the appearance of the appliance more than it would affect its functionality. Here’s what you need to do: 

Step 1: Wipe down the exterior with a microfiber cloth or use some paper towels. Doing this will remove all loose waste first before doing a deep scrub. 

Step 2: Get a cleaning spray and mix a cleaning solution of hot water and degreasing dish soap. Spray the solution on the hood surface and pay attention to any stains. 

Step 3: Using a cloth or paper towel, run through the exterior while focusing on visible grease and stains. You can apply pressure for an effective scrub. 

Step 4: For tougher stains, use a solution of vinegar and water where adding pressure doesn’t work. Let the solution soak on the stain for a while before wiping it away. 

Step 5: Using a dry cloth, remove the excess moisture and buff the surface for a shiny finishing. 

Pop the Hood: Cleaning the Interior of the Vent Hood

Now, move on to the hood’s interior. This area is prone to collecting plenty of kitchen filth. A well done and regular clean will not only improve the appearance under the hood but also make its air cleaning function more effectively. Here’s a step-by-step guide to get this done: 

Step 1: Get a closer look at the interior surface and then start by removing all loose debris or visible build ups using a soft bristle brush. 

Step 2: You will need a cleaning solution of warm water and some degreasing dish soap or vinegar. 

Step 3: Dip the soft bristle brush into the solution and gently scrub any noticeable stain under the hood. At this point, you should not apply excessive force. 

Step 4: Create a paste using baking soda and water for application on stubborn stains. Apply the paste and leave it to soak in the stain before giving it a scrub. 

Step 5: Use a damp cloth to remove any residue and give the interior surface a final wipe down. 

Step 6: Dry the surface with dry cloth to prevent moisture buildup. 

How to Clean Range Hood Filter

Range hood filter is a vital piece of the range hood’s ventilating abilities. Over time, they accumulate grease, which can affect their performance. Giving your filter a regular clean is essential to maintaining high-quality airflow and preventing waste buildup. 

Step 1: Remove the filter. You can do this by releasing a metal loop or latch keeping it attached to the range hood. 

Step 2: Fill hot water into a basin or sink and add some degreasing dish soap or baking soda. 

Step 3: Leave the filter to soak in the solution for 15 to 20 minutes. 

Step 4: Using a soft bristle brush, gently scrub the remaining grease buildup. 

Step 5: Rinse thoroughly using hot water. 

Step 6: Leave the filter to dry, wiping off all excess water, and reattach securely back to its place. 

The Takeaway

Now you know why it is necessary to clean the vent hood and how to do it yourself. Follow this step-by-step cleaning process to keep your range hood operating efficiently. Always check the vent periodically to spot and address such issues promptly.

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