How to Clean The Dirty Filter of An Extractor Hood

If you want to learn how to properly clean dirty filters in your extractor hood, read on and take note of these helpful tips!

The extractor hood is a very helpful appliance to keep the kitchen free of odors and steam while we are cooking. However, after some time of use, it is necessary to clean its filters to keep it working perfectly. Read on and learn how to clean a dirty hood filter easily and in a few easy steps.

With the rise of telecommuting, you may be spending more time in your kitchen than eating out. Maintaining a clean and dirt-free environment is essential to preserve the healthiness of your recipes and prevent bad odors from permeating them.

What types of extractor hoods are there?

The main feature of this white line element consists of an internal fan that, with the help of filters, allows extracting and filtering the air in kitchens to prevent the accumulation of odors. Depending on the type of ventilation, extractor hoods are classified into two types:

1. Suction: they are the preferred type in restaurant kitchens. They are the most effective for the elimination of odors, since they collect all the smoke, steam, and gases from the food and send them to the outside. This is possible thanks to the communication tube located in the facade.
2. Recirculation or carbon filter: this type of hood is the most common in homes, due to its easy installation. Their particularity, unlike the suction ones, is that they don’t expel the air to the outside, but filter it and return it to the place of origin. They are usually not as efficient as suction extractors

What’s the purpose of cleaning dirty filters in the extractor hood?

One of the most frequently used household appliances, but not often cared for, is the extractor hood. The main functions of this appliance are to keep the kitchen free of odors, trap grease and extract smoke when preparing various recipes.

Thanks to its filters, it has the ability to clean polluted air and return it to the environment as pure as possible. As with the air conditioner, a proper cleaning from time to time is necessary to maintain the function.

So, if it’s been a long time since you performed a general cleaning of your kitchen, we’ll show you how to clean the dirty filter of the extractor hood in a practical way using natural products. Remember that dirt, in addition to preventing our appliances from working properly, can also cause them to break down completely.

How to clean the dirty filter of the extractor hood?

This series of tips will be of great help to remove all the grease and dirt that over time accumulates on the filter and inside the extractor hoods. Remember that regular cleaning of this appliance is essential to keep the air in the kitchen as clean as possible.

1. Remove the filters from the extractor hood

Before starting to clean your extractor hood, make sure it is switched off and cooled down to avoid possible short circuits. You can wear  gloves and a mask.

Look in the instruction manual or on the Internet for instructions on how to remove the filters. Most hoods have a simple mechanism that consists of pressing on one end to remove it in the opposite direction.

2. Clean and immerse the cooker hood filters

Once you’ve removed all the dirty filters, find a large container to immerse them in. Add hot water until they are completely covered and add a mixture of vinegar and baking soda.

You can also use a grease solvent and a few drops of lemon juice. This will make all the dirt come off more easily.

Let it sit for a couple of hours and then, with the help of a soft brush or cloth, finish cleaning. Once free of any grease, put it to dry in a place with indirect light.

3. Clean the inside of the extractor hood

There is no point in keeping the filters of our appliance in perfect condition if everything inside is full of grease and dirt. You can clean it with natural ingredients such as hot water, baking soda, and vinegar or use a grease solvent and neutral detergent. Use a sponge or scouring pad to remove all the dirt and dry completely.

4. Clean the outside of the extractor hood

The outside of the hoods gets dirty more easily and the grease is usually more visible than on the inside. To avoid the accumulation of dirt, it’s a good idea to clean the appliance every time you finish cooking.

Stainless steel surfaces tend to scratch easily. So to clean them use a cloth or a soft sponge together with a degreasing soap.

5. Put the filters back in place

After both the inside and outside of the cooker hood are shiny and the filters are dry, it’s time to put them back in place. Remember very well how you disassembled the filters and you’re done. Your appliance is clean and ready to use.

How to clean activated carbon filters

This type of filter is common in the recirculation hoods used in most homes and requires special care to avoid damaging them. As previously explained, these types of hoods do not have a duct to remove odors from the outside.

It is important to remember that activated carbon filters cannot be submerged in direct water, as this will damage them. To clean them, unscrew the outer cover, remove them carefully, and wipe them with a damp cloth to remove excess grease.

How often should I clean the extractor hood?

It all depends on its use in this case. If you are a food lover who enjoys preparing delicious dishes every day, you will probably need to clean it more often than someone who only uses their stove occasionally. After each use, it is advisable to clean the outside of the cooker hood to prevent accumulated dirt.

You can perform a more thorough cleaning of the interior, exterior, and filters at least once a week. General cleaning will prevent grease from accumulating and will make it easier to clean everything afterward.

Natural ingredients to clean dirty cooker hood filters

When we stop cleaning our appliances for a long time, grease will most likely accumulate and dry out on the inside and outside. This series of natural ingredients are powerful degreasers that will help you remove the dirt:

• Lemon: it is no coincidence that most cleaners have lemon in their list of ingredients, as it is a strong disinfectant.
• Vinegar: it’s advisable to use cleaning vinegar, as it contains more acidity than kitchen vinegar. Although it has a very strong odor, it disappears in a matter of minutes.
• Baking soda: add a little water to 200 grams of baking soda to form a thick paste and apply it on the grease patches.
• Sodium carbonate: this biodegradable salt is more alkaline than baking soda, which makes it more powerful as a degreaser and perfect for ovens and hoods.

Clean the dirty filter of the extractor hood

Now that you know all the benefits of keeping the kitchen extractor hood in optimal conditions, clean it and take care of its filters to keep the environment free of impurities. Just follow these recommendations and use natural ingredients to make the job easier. Remember that keeping your home clean is vital for good health and quality of life.