How to clean the kitchen hood: effective remedies to eliminate dirt and unpleasant smells

Periodic cleaning of the kitchen hood is important to eliminate dirt and unpleasant smells, but also to keep it working, thanks to the right maintenance. Here's how to clean it on the outside and inside and how to wash or replace the filters.

The hood of our kitchen is essential to aspirate fumes and odors that are released during cooking, so it is important to clean it periodically both outside and inside, washing and replacing the filters, when necessary, to eliminate grease and dirt. In fact, over time, the filter becomes greasy, limiting the effectiveness of the suction; this thing produces bad smells and there is a risk of damaging the electrical appliance. Let's find out how to clean the kitchen hood with effective and natural remedies; a proper maintenance helps to avoid the spread of bad smells, to block the spread of germs and bacteria and to keep the efficiency of our kitchen hood to the maximum.

External cleaning of the kitchen hood: when and how to clean it for a proper maintenance

The outer part of the kitchen hood is visible and must be cleaned at least once a week, or after each frying, thus avoiding the formation of annoying incrustations. The first thing to do is to remove dust and surface stains with a damp sponge and liquid neutral soap; do not use alcohol or acid products that could damage your kitchen hood in steel or aluminum. Now rinse with a damp cloth and then dry with a soft cloth. Alternatively you can use a solution of water and vinegar or water and sodium bicarbonate; they will help to eliminate fat and bad smells in a natural way.

In the case of stubborn dirt, clean the outer part of the kitchen hood spraying the degreaser over the entire surface, let it act for a few minutes and, as soon as the dirt begins to detach from the walls of the kitchen hood, rinse and dry. If the dirt does not go away use a soapy scourer; rub well on the dirt and then rinse with hot water.

Suction or filter hoods: how to wash or replace the filter

Another thing to keep clean is the hood filter, but in this case it is important to know the difference between the suction hood and the filter hood; the first eliminates air and smells pouring them directly outside, while the latter cleanses the air from unpleasant odors and pours them into the room. The suction hoods only contain metal anti-grease filters that capture food particles and can be washed by hand or in the dishwasher. The filter hoods can have anti-grease filters and activated carbon filters; the latter can not be washed and must be replaced every three months or as soon as they turn yellow.

Now let's see how to clean or replace the filters. The first thing to do is to remove or unscrew the kitchen hood grill, which must be washed thoroughly with water and dish soap or, if particularly greasy, soak it in a solution of hot water, vinegar and bicarbonate and let it work for 30 minutes. Now, remove the filter; the grease filters are metallic and can be washed by hand with hot water and soap, or in the dishwasher (a more comfortable solution that allows to obtain a deep and effective cleaning). If you can not use the dishwasher, bring to a boil a large pot full of water, turn off the heat and add two tablespoons of baking soda, then add the filters and leave them in water for an hour, then rinse and dry them. In the case of activated carbon filters, simply replace them with new ones, made of synthetic material, which have the function of absorbing bad smells; the activated carbon filter is not washable because otherwise it would lose its odor-absorbing function.