How to Clean Your Oven Hood Filter Easily: Simple Methods to Remove Grease and Make It Look Like New

When deep cleaning your kitchen, one area you should never overlook is the oven hood filter. This filter works nonstop to trap smoke, oil particles, and steam produced during cooking. Over time, this greasy buildup becomes thick, sticky, and unpleasant, making even a clean kitchen look dull. A dirty hood filter can also reduce airflow, cause unwanted odors, and affect your hood’s performance.

The good news? Cleaning your oven hood filter is much easier than most people think. With just a few common household products and a little time, you can restore it to a like-new shine. Below are three simple, effective, and kitchen-friendly cleaning methods you can use.

Method 1: Hot Water & OxiClean Soak (Fast and Highly Effective)

One of the simplest and least messy ways to break down grease is by soaking your hood filter in boiling water and OxiClean. This method requires minimal scrubbing and works well for heavily greased filters.

Step-by-step instructions:

1. Prepare a container:
Choose a large container, pot, or basin big enough to fully submerge your filter. If your filter is oversized, you can even use a bathtub.

2. Add boiling water:
Fill the container with boiling water. The intense heat softens and loosens stubborn grease.

3. Mix in OxiClean:
Add about one cup of OxiClean and stir until completely dissolved. OxiClean is known for breaking down tough stains and grease effectively.

4. Submerge the filter:
Place the filter carefully into the hot solution, ensuring it’s fully covered.

5. Let it soak:
Allow it to soak for 10–30 minutes. Heavily greased filters may need more time.

6. Rinse and dry:
Rinse the filter thoroughly under running water until clean. Shake off excess water and let it air-dry fully before reinstalling.

This method is ideal for quick cleaning sessions and delivers impressive results with minimal effort.

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Method 2: Baking Soda & Dish Soap (Gentle and Budget-Friendly)

This method uses simple household ingredients and is great for regular maintenance cleaning.

What you need:

• Hot water

• Baking soda

• Dish soap (preferably a degreasing formula)

• A sink or large basin

• A soft brush or non-abrasive scrubber

• Gloves (optional)

How to clean with this method:

1. Remove the filter:
Most filters slide or pop out easily. Check your hood’s manual if needed.

2. Dry dusting:
Tap the filter over the trash to release loose dirt. Use a soft brush to remove surface dust.

3. Prepare the solution:
Fill your sink or basin with very hot water. Add a generous amount of dish soap and ¼–½ cup of baking soda. Baking soda acts as a gentle abrasive that breaks down grease without damaging the metal.

4. Soak the filter:
Submerge the filter completely and let it soak for 30 minutes—or several hours for extra-dirty filters.

5. Scrub:
Use a soft brush to gently scrub away remaining grease, paying extra attention to corners and edges.

6. Rinse:
Rinse with hot running water until the water runs clear.

7. Dry and reinstall:
Allow the filter to dry completely before placing it back into the hood.

This is a highly effective, low-cost cleaning solution perfect for routine upkeep.

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Method 3: Steam Cleaning (Powerful for Deep Grease Removal)

If you have a steam cleaner, it can be a powerful tool for removing built-up grease quickly.

Instructions:

1. Safety first:
Wear gloves and ensure your steam cleaner is working properly. Steam is extremely hot and can cause burns.

2. Prepare the area:
Lay down towels or newspaper to catch drips and loosened grease.

3. Steam clean the filter:
Turn on your steam cleaner and allow it to heat up. Direct the steam slowly across the filter’s surface. The high heat dissolves grease instantly.

4. Wipe away residue:
After steaming, use a cloth or sponge to wipe away melted grease. Rinse the cloth frequently to avoid spreading residue.

5. Rinse and dry:
Rinse the filter thoroughly under running water, shake off excess water, and allow it to air dry completely.

This method is great for deep cleaning but may be messier than soaking methods.

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Trusted Sources (Reputable Home-Care & Safety Organizations)

These credible sources regularly publish reliable, expert-backed guidance on kitchen cleaning and appliance care:

• Good Housekeeping Institute – Known for testing and reviewing household cleaning products and techniques.

• The Spruce – Provides expert-reviewed home cleaning guides.

• Martha Stewart Living – Trusted for kitchen care and home maintenance advice.

• Consumer Reports – Offers appliance-care recommendations and cleaning best practices.

• Home Depot & Lowe’s Appliance Care Guides – Provide maintenance instructions for range hoods and filters.

• National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) – Recommends regular hood and filter cleaning for fire safety.