When you think of cleaning the kitchen, your mind probably goes to the oven, stovetop, or microwave – while the rangehood is further down the list.
But this kitchen appliance is the secret sidekick when you’re cooking up a stir-fry or some crispy chicken wings. It hoovers up the oil, smoke, and other airborne particles, then filters them out for clean kitchen air.
Keeping your rangehood clean is an essential part of keeping your kitchen hygienic. Otherwise, all that grime could drip back onto your cooktop, which… Yuck!
How to clean a rangehood? The easiest method is wiping the surfaces with water and anti-grease dish soap. For stubborn grease, use a baking soda paste or a vinegar solution.
Don’t neglect that hard worker over your stove! The rangehood cleans your air, so return the favour and clean your rangehood.
How Often to Clean | Why Clean a Rangehood | Rangehood Cleaners | Cleaning Inside | Cleaning the Fan | Cleaning the Exterior | Cleaning Rangehood Filters | Cleaning a Stainless Steel Rangehood | Removing Grease
Types of Range Hoods
There’s a wide variety of rangehood models to fit all sorts of kitchen layouts and space requirements!
Common types of rangehoods in homes include:
- Wall-mounted rangehoods: Mounted against a kitchen wall, 0.6-0.9m above the cooktop.
- Under-cabinet rangehoods: Installed underneath hanging kitchen cabinets.
- Island rangehoods: Also called chimney range hoods, these are installed on the ceiling above a cooktop island.
- Downdrafts: Come installed under or around the cooktop, sucking odours and smoke downwards.
Following that, you have two options for installation and venting: ducted or ductless.
Ducted rangehoods (or external venting hoods) vent out dirty air and particles through ductwork that runs through your home to the outside. They direct smoke and odours away from your home.
These rangehoods can be expensive upfront due to the ductwork, which also limits where you can place them. However, they can be more powerful and efficient.
Ductless rangehoods (or recirculating vent hoods) circulate air through carbon filters, which remove odours and particles. The cleaned air is then released back into the kitchen.
They’re easier to install since they don’t require ductwork – making them popular for apartments. However, you’ll need to clean or replace the range hood filters regularly to keep them efficient and hygienic.
For materials, stainless steel is the most popular, but some rangehoods can be made from tempered glass, zinc, and aluminium.
How Often to Clean Your Rangehood
If you cook regularly, clean the filters and exterior of your rangehood at least every month.
However, if you don’t cook so often, you can clean the rangehood exterior and filters once every 3 months.
Deep clean your rangehood once every 6 months.
If you notice any lingering smoke, strong odours, or loud rattling, then get scrubbing ASAP!
Worried about tackling all that grease build-up? Check out home cleaners near you to book a rangehood cleaning service – they’ll do the best job.
Why Clean a Rangehood?
Regular cleaning helps your kitchen rangehood work efficiently, maintain air quality, and keep your cooking space hygienic.
If you leave the grease and grime to accumulate, it could eventually lead to mould and bacteria growing.
Uncleaned dirt can also degrade the material of the rangehood, making it less effective or shortening its lifespan.
Worse, dirty rangehoods increase the risk of a grease fire inside the appliance or ductwork!
What to Use for Cleaning a Rangehood
For most rangehoods and filters, you’ll only need hot water and anti-grease dish detergent.
Some models allow a dedicated rangehood cleaner, such as Hillmark Rangehood FilterKleen. For stainless steel models, you can tackle grease with Dawn Platinum Powerwash.
If your rangehood or filters are made of aluminium, be mindful of what cleaners you use. Some substances (such as sodium percarbonate) react badly with aluminium and cause pitting or other damage.
Avoid using abrasive cleaners like scouring pads or steel wool. Do not use any descaling products or products designed for removing limescale.
Never use bleach, ammonia, or similarly harsh cleaners as these can degrade or corrode the surfaces.
Before Cleaning a Rangehood
Always work with your rangehood shut off and unplugged (if possible). Wear protective gear such as rubber gloves.
Start by removing debris from the outside. Lay some old towels or newspapers over your stove and benchtops to catch any dirt that falls.
Use a soft cloth or dust brush to remove any dust and other dry particles. For any fresh grease and grime, mop up the mess with a paper towel.
Consult your owner’s manual for how to remove range hood filters. Most models will have filters that slide or pop out from under the hood.
You’ll need to take it out to access the interior. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions so you don’t void the warranty or lose your bond if you’re renting!
How to Clean a Rangehood
Once you’ve removed the rangehood filter, set it aside – you can clean it separately. For now, focus on the rangehood itself.
Always check whether your cleaning products are compatible with the material of your rangehood.
Test the product on an inconspicuous spot first to make sure it won’t damage the appliance!
Cleaning inside a rangehood
If you can access the inside of your rangehood, it’s pretty straightforward to clean!
For rangehood models with exposed circuitry or wires, do not spray on any cleaner. Instead, moisten a microfibre cloth with the cleaning solution then wipe the rangehood surfaces.
Mix some dish detergent and warm water, then dip your cloth into the solution. To minimise the amount of water you use inside the rangehood, wring it out so it’s just damp.
Wipe the interior in the direction of the metal grain with smooth, even strokes. Follow with a cloth dampened in plain water to rinse off any residue.
Completely dry the interior with a kitchen towel.
For rangehood interiors that are particularly grimy, opt for a kitchen degreaser like Krud Kutter Cleaner/Degreaser or Ajax Kitchen Degreaser. If you prefer a natural solution, use a mix of equal parts vinegar and water.
Scrub off the stains with a non-abrasive sponge or soft-bristled brush.
Wipe off any residue with a damp cloth and fully dry the surfaces afterwards.
Cleaning a rangehood fan
Several rangehood models use an exhaust fan to vent out dirty air outside. Typically, these fans are hard to reach and can only be cleaned by a professional.
However, some models have the fan located just above the filters or at the back of the rangehood. These are accessible after you remove the filters.
To clean a rangehood fan, wipe the body and blades with a cloth dampened in warm, soapy water. For very greasy fans, try the vinegar solution or some Dawn Powerwash.
Rinse the fan with a cloth dampened in clean water, then wipe it completely dry.
Cleaning a rangehood exterior
Grease, dust, and dirt can build up on your rangehood’s exterior surfaces over time!
Choose a cleaning product compatible with the material of your rangehood. When in doubt, a mixture of warm water and a mild detergent (like Koala Eco’s Dish Soap) works great!
Dampen a microfibre cloth with your cleaning solution, then wipe the exterior surfaces of your rangehood.
Rinse off any residue with a clean cloth dipped in fresh water, then thoroughly dry to prevent water spots or mineral deposits.
How to Clean A Rangehood Filter
Cleaning rangehood filters is an essential part of maintenance! They catch all the grease, food particles, condensation, and other debris – and greasy filters can’t clean your kitchen air.
The easiest way to clean baffle or mesh filters is by soaking them. Fill a sink or bathtub with hot water and some dish soap, then add half a cup of baking soda.
Give it a good mix with a long-handled brush, then submerge the clogged filters. Let them soak for 10-15 minutes.
Afterwards, use a soft scrub brush (like a bottle brush) or non-abrasive sponge to scrub the filters clean.
Let the filters air dry – or for baffle filters, dry with a soft cloth. Reinstall following the manufacturer’s instructions.
Some filters are dishwasher-safe, so check your manual beforehand. If you’re not sure, hand washing is more than enough.
Charcoal or carbon filters cannot be cleaned – instead, you’ll need to replace them every 120 hours of cooking or every 3 months (whichever is sooner).
Make sure the new filters fit properly before use.
How to Clean a Stainless Steel Rangehood
For stainless steel range hood cleaning, vinegar works very well. Mix equal parts white vinegar and water, then apply with a microfibre kitchen towel.
You can add a few drops of dish soap for extra cleaning power. Follow with a damp cloth to remove any residue, then dry.
Alternatively, use a dedicated cleaner like Koala Eco’s Stainless Cleaner. Simply apply onto a lint-free towel, then rub the stainless steel surface in the direction of the grain before buffing dry.
Finish by polishing the rangehood using a stainless steel polish or a little bit of olive oil. Apply a thin layer and wipe off any excess with a paper towel or cloth.
How to Clean Grease Off a Rangehood
For tough grease stains, baking soda is your best bet!
Make a paste out of warm water, baking soda, and a bit of dish soap. Apply the paste with a sponge, then let it sit for up to 30 minutes.
Use the sponge or a dampened rag to scrub off any grease build-up or stains from the rangehood. Rinse off any residue with a damp cloth, then dry thoroughly.
If you have a stainless steel rangehood, you can use Dawn Powerwash on grease stains. Do not use this on aluminium as it can cause discolouration or damage.
Tips for Proper Rangehood Maintenance
Be attentive to any signs that something’s wrong with your rangehood! Things like loud motor sounds, stuck fans, and malfunctioning buttons could indicate an internal problem.
If rangehood cleaning doesn’t help, it’s best to contact a professional to check for any electrical or ducting issues.
Wipe your rangehood once a week to lessen the build-up of dirt and grime. You won’t prevent grease build-up entirely, but you can minimise how gross it gets.
You can use a steam cleaner on the outside of a rangehood, but check the manual first. Never use a steam cleaner near any exposed wiring or circuitry, since this will damage the appliance.
Regular maintenance and cleaning keep your rangehood in good condition and let you check for any issues.
This way, you can breathe easy when cooking, knowing you’re inhaling clean air and yummy smells – while all the grease and vapours get filtered out.
