Let us guess. Your range hood filter has started dripping nasty oil, and now is the first time you are finding solutions. Yes, we have been there too. It doesn't cross our mind (cleaning the filter) until the problems are very much visible.
Visible or not, keeping the filters unclean will affect your health and home environment significantly. Let's dive more deeply into how to clean range hood filters.
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Why Should You Clean Your Range Hood Filter?
Some people clean their filters once every month. Others don't bother about it for even a decade! As filthy as it sounds, it's unhealthy too. There are several reasons why you should clean your filter.
Pests Love The Oil
Wondering why you can't get rid of the fruit flies and cockroaches? A dirty rangehood filter may be the reason. Oil, especially food-flavored oil, is what they go crazy for.
Bad Air Quality
Keeping the filters unclean for a long period will bring several health hazards. As some of the range hoods purify and recirculate the same air into your house, not cleaning the filter may result in the filters' ineffectiveness.
They may not work properly and fill your house with nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, and formaldehyde. Inhaling these toxic gases can ruin your health.
Debris Dripping
If the debris is stacking up for a long period, the filter may get completely greasy. And if you are not careful while cooking, the filthy oil can drip right on your food. Yikes! Trust us on this one. We are speaking from experience.
Favorite Place For Bacteria
Dirty filters are warm, slimy, and oily, which is an ideal place for bacteria to grow. Especially when they are just hanging around there where you are preparing your meal? No, not a good idea.
Types of Range Hood Filter
Most of the range hoods come in 3 types of filters. They are:
Charcoal Filters
Charcoal filters are only present in ductless range hoods. This charcoal filter only removes odor and smoke and recirculates the air back into the kitchen. This is why they need to be replaced every 3 to 4 months. Charcoal filter also used in convertible range hood.
Fabric Grease Filters
These grease filters act like sponges. They absorb the oil fumes and debris. Once you have used them, you can not clean and reuse them. It must be replaced with a new one.
Metallic Grease Filters
These filters need regular cleaning. As you guessed, yes, they are made with metals. This types of filters are usually made of aluminum or stainless steel.
How to Clean Range Hood Filter?
Yes, there are many ways you can clean the filter. It can take up to 15 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the method you choose. Now let's get into the details.
Using a Dishwashing Detergent As a Cleanser
You will need dishwashing detergent instead of dishwashing liquid. The process is described in order below:
- Firstly detach the filter from the hood.
- Wet the filter with warm water. This will help the dishwashing detergent to penetrate deeply and clean more effectively.
- Place the filter in free space or in inside your sink. You have to choose such a place that will not be in use for the next hour.
- Smear the dishwashing detergent all over the filter. Do not leave any place untouched. You can use an clean toothbrush to spread the detergent.
- Let the filter sock in the detergent for about 20 minutes. You may need more time in this process if your filter is excessively dirty.
- Rinse it off with warm water. You may reapply more detergent and scrub the filter with a toothbrush if necessary.
- If you notice any trace of debris after the cleansing, you may repeat the process once again.
Using a powerful degreaser
Degreasers dissolve stubborn oil and grease. They are solvent-based and usually acidic. You can find degreaser in the market easily. The process of cleaning with a degreaser is described below:
- Find a bowl/ tray/ dish that is large enough to fit in the filter.
- Fill it up with hot water.
- Spray the degreaser in it. It may need 20 or so more sprays depending on the dirt on your filter.
- Soak the filter in this solution. You need to be careful to submerge the filter in the water completely. Otherwise, it may still be dirty.
- Let soak the filter in this water for about an hour.
- Carefully remove the filter using tongs. Place the filter in the sink and scrub it with a brush or metal scrubber.
- Rinse with water, and there you have your fresh shiny filter.
Vinegar And Baking Soda To The Rescue
Honestly, is there anything that baking soda and vinegar solution cannot clean? This method is more or less similar to the degreaser method. Here we guide you through the process in order:
- Take a tray or pot that is large enough to carry the filter.
- Pour the pot with sufficient amount of hot water to completely drown the filter.
- Now pour 3 tablespoons of vinegar and stir with a spoon.
- Slowly add 2 tablespoons of baking soda. Mix it well with the water.
- Put the dirty filter in this solution and let it soak in for about 20 to 30 minutes.
- Scrub off any excess debris that is left on the filter.
- Rinse with cool water.
How Often Should You Clean Your Range Hood Filter?
Now, this question totally depends on your lifestyle. If you regularly use your stove 3/4 times a day, cook a lot of fried food, cook with a wok, etc., you must clean the filter once every month.
Again, you shouldn't wait for a month to clean the filters if you have used your stove for a major cooking session. Usually, after a holiday or a family feast, you must check your filters for any oil buildup.
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Conclusion
The furniture around your kitchen and cupboards, even your utensils, can get oily and sticky if your hood filters are not cleaned or replaced. So cleaning your range hood filters are more than necessary. We hope this article could help you with how to clean range hood filters.