When was the last time you peeked underneath your stove’s hood and checked the exhaust fan filters?
… awkward silence …
Chances are you haven’t cleaned your filter in a while, and it is looking and feeling greasy. Over time, the filter may become so blocked with grease and grime that it loses its effectiveness, so it’s important to clean them regularly. Thankfully, this is a pretty simple process, we’ll walk you through it!
What You Need:
- Very Hot or Boiling Water
- Degreasing Dish Soap
- Baking Soda
- Scrub Brush (non-abrasive)
- Dish Cloth
Directions:
1. Remove filter(s) from the hood. Most filters easily slide or pop out of the underside of your hood. They usually have a metal loop that you can grab to push the filter up and then slide it out. Take care of any sharp metal corners or sides!
2. Pour in baking soda and dish soap. Add about ¼ cup of baking soda and a squirt or two of dish soap to your bucket or sink.
3. Fill your sink or bucket with hot or boiling water. I’ve found the hotter the water, the better! I usually use the hottest tap water I can get with a large pan of boiling water. Be sure to use your scrub brush to swish any water around if you need to!
4. Place your filter(s) in the water to soak. Make sure each filter is completely covered and allow them to soak for at least 20 minutes.
5. Scrub the filter(s). After soaking, take a non-abrasive scrub brush and scrub each side of your filter.
6. Rinse and dry. Thoroughly rinse your filters in hot water and dry with a dish cloth. I let mine sit and air dry for a bit before I replace them.
7. Replace filters and repeat as needed. Cleaning filters once a month is a good maintenance strategy to keep them in tip-top shape!