When was the last time you paid any attention to that range hood that is installed over your range or stovetop? Have you ever really given much thought to just how important it is to the health of your kitchen – and your family? Range hoods are appliances that may not get used as much as others but have one of the most important jobs. See, every time you use your stove, you are releasing all sorts of particles, heat, steam, and toxins into the air. Your range hood removes these from the area around your kitchen and throughout your home. In return, it provides you with the cleanest of breathable air. Sounds wonderful, right? Well, it is – as long as you give your range hood a little TLC every now and then. After all, it is removing some disgusting debris from your kitchen. Where do you think it all goes? That’s right – the filter catches it. Don’t you think it is time to give your filter a break and clean it up? If you want to get the most out of your range hood, cleaning its filter is something that should be added to your regular cleaning rotation. The Importance of a Clean Range Hood Filter Having a range hood installed in your kitchen is wonderful. But, if you don’t clean it, it can’t perform its job. And, let’s be real - the more you cook, the more your range hood is used, and the dirtier your filter will be. As this filter comes into contact with all these toxins it becomes contaminated with build-up and unable to filter the air. While your main reason for cleaning your filter should be to keep your kitchen and your loved ones healthy, there are other reasons to make it part of your regular routine. A range hood with a dirty filter cannot remove smells from your kitchen nor can it remove the toxins from the air. Why? Because it is weighed down with food particles and such. As a result, your dirty filter will begin to attract unwanted pests, such as roaches, gnats, flies, and ants. Every time you cook there are toxins being released, odors, heat, steam, and food particles. Your range hood is designed to remove all of this through the filter and return the fresh, clean air into your home. By maintaining a clean filter, you are providing all the benefits that a range hood is designed to bring. Cleaning Your Range Hood Filter: The Methods Everybody is different and each person has a different preference for cleaning. And, well, cleaning a range hood filter is no exception. So, to make things easier for you, we will provide you with three different methods that work well for cleaning range hoods – and you can determine the one that will work best for you. The one thing that each of these methods has in common is the simplistic approach to clean. It doesn’t take much to ensure your family is breathing healthy air in the kitchen. Let’s check them out! The Stove Method A stove method is a great option for cleaning your range hood filters thoroughly. To use this method, you will need the following items: A large stockpot big enough to fit at least half of your filter. Water ½ cup of baking soda Instructions: Filling the large pot with water, bring it to a boil. Slowly add ½ cup of baking soda to the boiling water. Take your time with this part is the slower you add the baking soda, the easier it is to manage the fizzing. Next, add your filter. If you have an extra-large filter or too small of a pot, you can do one side of the filter at a time. Flip and repeat. Let your filter soak and de-grease. Once it is done, rinse it and allow it to dry. The Sink Method Making use of your kitchen sink brings you another method of cleaning your filter. Of course, an alternate solution would be to use a large bucket instead of the sink. The same instruction would apply for each. For this method, you will need the following items: Hot water ¼ cup baking soda De-greasing soap, such as Dawn A non-abrasive sponge Instructions: Fill your sink (or the bucket) with hot water. Keep in mind that the hotter the water, the better. Add ¼ cup of baking soda and a generous squirt of the de-greasing soap. Gently mix around until the pool of water is bubbling. Place your filter in the water. To cut down on the amount of scrubbing you are going to have to do, allow them to soak for about ten minutes or so. This time allows the grease and debris to loosen. After soaking, add some soap to your sponge and softly scrub the filters. Rinse and set aside to dry. The Dishwasher Method Finally, the dishwasher method is the most simplistic. Without really requiring you to gather any supplies or partake in any cleaning solutions, you can place your filter in the dishwasher and run it for a cycle. Keep in mind that range hood filters are sensitive and should therefore always be placed on the top shelf. This method is perfect for regular cleaning of your filter, but for those filters that haven’t been cleaned in quite some time, you may want to use a more hands-on approach. By now, you are probably wondering how often you should be cleaning your range hood filter, right? Well, let’s just say that the more you cook, the dirtier it will get. Therefore, consider adding one of the above methods to your regular cleaning routine. Doing so will give you peace of mind knowing that you and your family are breathing in nothing but fresh, clean air regardless of the toxins and such that your cooking is emitting. Besides, just imagine how fresh your kitchen – and your home – will be once it becomes free of heat, steam, and food odors. Now, that’s joyful cooking!
