The Easiest Way To Clean A Greasy Range Hood Filter

Jill Nystul · June 1, 2023 · Updated: April 5, 2024

42 Comments

4 from 2 votes

Have you inspected the filter in your range hood lately? (Hint: you probably should.)

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The easy way to clean a range hood filter is in a big stock pot on the stove.

Greasy Filter In Your Kitchen Exhaust Fan? That’s A Problem

When was the last time you checked on the state of the filter in your range hood? It was probably a while ago. Well, don’t feel bad, because up until a few years ago, I hadn’t ever thought about the state of my cooker hood or the filter inside it!

Then one day, as I was replacing the burnt-out lightbulb in my range hood, I caught sight of the filter. It was greasy, grimy, and frankly, pretty disgusting. I knew I needed to do something about it, but I wasn’t sure what!

After researching online, I discovered an easy and mess-free method to degrease even the greasiest range hood filter. I was shocked by how well it worked, and after bringing my range hood filter back from the brink, I learned that my kitchen exhaust fan could now do its job correctly.

Here’s how it’s done so you can also clean up the all-important filter in your stove vent!

How To Clean Your Range Hood Filter

Clean a Stove Hood Filter with a stock pot, water, and baking soda.

You’ll need:

Range hood filter
Large stock pot
Water
1/2 cup baking soda

Directions:

Grab a stock pot that’s large enough to accommodate at least half of your range hood filter, and fill it with water.

To clean a range hood filter on the stove, boil water in a large pot and add 1/2 cup of baking soda, a little bit at a time.

Bring the water to a boil, and slowly add the 1/2 cup of baking soda. Slowly is the operative word here, as the baking soda will fizz up as you add it to the water. I usually end up adding it about a tablespoon or so at a time.

To clean a Stove Hood Filter in a pot, the pot needs to be big enough that at least half the filter will be under water at a time.

Once all the baking soda has been added to the pot, place your greasy range hood filter into the boiling water. (You might have to do one half of the filter at a time depending on the size of your filter.)

After you clean the Stove Hood Filter, the water in the pot will be disgusting, but the filter will be clean as a whistle!

Let the filter boil in the baking soda water for a few minutes, and watch as the grease and grime start to rise to the surface! It’s gross, yet fascinating.

Once you’ve boiled the whole thing for at least a few minutes, rinse the filter under hot water from your tap. Once the water starts running clean, you’re done! If there’s still some grease and grime trapped in the filter, refill your stockpot with clean water and repeat the steps again.

Finally, prop your clean range hood filter up and allow it to air dry for several hours. Once the filter is completely dry, replace it in your hood vent. And that’s all there is to it!

These before and after photos show how effective it is to clean a range hood filter on the stovetop.

The filter at our studio is practically brand new and wasn’t dirty at all, but luckily for us, our photographer Kaitlyn had a dirty one at home! The filter is on the older side so it definitely doesn’t look perfect after cleaning, but you can see how the color is almost completely different once all that gunk and grease is boiled off! Amazing!

More Cleaning Hacks To Explore

Could your range hood filter stand to be cleaned?

A pot filled with water on top of a stove, while learning how to clean your range hood filter.

How To Clean A Range Hood Filter

Jill Nystul

Even the greasiest hood filter is no match for this cleaning method!

4 from 2 votes

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Total Time 20

Equipment

Large stockpot big enough to submerge at least half the filter
Range hood filter(s)

Ingredients

1/2 cup Baking soda
Water

Instructions

Put enough water in the stock pot so that at least half the filter can be submerged.
Bring the water to a boil and slowly add the baking soda. (The soda will fizz up, so add it about a tablespoon at a time.)
Put the range hood filter in the boiling water. (You may need to clean one half at a time, depending on the size.)
Boil for a few minutes, remove carefully, and rinse under hot tap water until the water runs clear.
If the filter is still greasy, refill the pot and start over.
Once the filter is clean, prop it up and allow it to air dry before replacing it in the hood vent.

Jill Nystul (aka Jillee)

Jill Nystul is an accomplished writer and author who founded the blog One Good Thing by Jillee in 2011. With over 30 years of experience in homemaking, she has become a trusted resource for contemporary homemakers by offering practical solutions to everyday household challenges.I share creative homemaking and lifestyle solutions that make your life easier and more enjoyable!

About Jillee

Jill Nystul

Jill’s 30 years of homemaking experience, make her the trusted source for practical household solutions.

About Jillee

4 from 2 votes (1 rating without comment)