Over time, the outside of a kitchen extractor fan builds up a layer of greasy residue. It’s the one spot in the kitchen that quietly collects months of steam, oil, and cooking particles. I, for one, find it particularly challenging to keep up with this chore, especially when the grime and grease are stubborn and hard.
However, according to Better Homes & Gardens: “If you don’t clean your range hood periodically, buildup diminishes the range hood’s effectiveness and can pose a fire hazard.” I decided to test out three different methods to discover the perfect cleaning technique to get a grease-free and sparkling extractor hood without doing a lot of scrubbing or taking up too much time – and one product worked like magic.
Before cleaning the extractor fan in your kitchen, experts warn that you should ensure the stove and extractor fan are turned off and cold.
1. Baking soda and water
I have a stainless steel extractor fan hood, and according to Oven Cleaning, simply creating a natural solution of bicarbonate of soda and boiling water, you can easily clean any range hood.
“Mix one part baking soda with three parts warm water and apply the solution over the surface of the hood with a soft sponge,” they noted.
This solution worked pretty well, but it required some hard scrubbing. While it looked like the grease was gone, when I touched the surface with my fingers, there was still some residue.
2. Washing-up liquid
My sponge was drenched in the previous mixture, but it wasn’t until I added washing-up liquid to my sponge that I found the cleaning process much easier. Without much muscle work, the grease was finally removed after five minutes of wiping down the area.
According to the CDA Appliances: “Washing-up liquid is great for this as it has anti-grease properties that will make it easier to remove any built-up grime.” However, if this solution does not work for you, then you may need to consider a tougher chemical.
A cleaning expert at Mr Appliance said: “If there are still patches of gunky grease, you might try a degreasing kitchen cleaner product.
“Keep in mind that harsh chemicals and abrasives could damage the finish on your range hood, so it’s best to test the product first in a small, unnoticeable section.”
3. Baby oil
“Once the exterior of the hood is clean, apply a small amount of baby oil with a microfibre cloth. The oil will give a smooth, shiny finish and help to prevent fingerprints,” reported the cleaning experts at Oven Cleaning.
This product worked like magic. After all the product buildup from the dish soap and bicarbonate soda, I was left with a rather stained and streaky surface.
However, as suggested, I applied baby oil to a microfibre cloth, and the extractor hood was streak-free and sparkling like new. It took a few swipes, and in seconds, there was a clear difference, which has lasted for a few days now.
For the next time, I will combine all three products, beginning with the baking soda, hot water, and dish soap scrub and finishing with a baby oil wipedown. This technique should take under 10 minutes and require minimal scrubbing for a squeaky clean extractor hood.
