Extractor fan filters are the fine mesh grates positioned beneath the cooker hood. These grease filters represent a crucial yet frequently overlooked component of every extractor fan hood regarding maintenance. The filters’ function is to stop grease stains and vapours from penetrating the extraction vents.
Should the vents become blocked with grease, this would result in issues with the extractor fan. To revive your cooker hood filters and make them appear brand new, sustainability influencer Kate, also recognised as @my_plastic_free_home on Instagram, suggests utilising natural bleach, better known as sodium percarbonate, reports the Express.
Sodium percarbonate is an environmentally friendly product that remains active for several hours while working and subsequently breaks down into oxygen, water, and sodium carbonate when mixed with water.
She said: “Natural bleach (aka sodium percarbonate) has so many uses, and I can’t wait to show you how easy it is to remove that disgusting, greasy buildup on your extractor fan filters.
“Just add one tablespoon to hot water, leave for a few hours whilst it’s active and watch it work its magic.”
In the clip, Kate began by displaying her extractor fan filters to her followers, which were smothered in brown grease marks.
She subsequently placed them in the sink with hot water and scattered over one tablespoon of the natural bleach. Sodium percarbonate becomes active when it encounters warm or hot water.
Upon contact with water, it unleashes trapped oxygen from the peroxide component.
This generates a fizzing action that removes stains, dirt, grime, and bacteria.
Following a period of soaking, the sink water had become murky, with floating fragments of grease that had been dislodged from the filters.
She said, “The dirt lifts so easily. You don’t even need to scrub them. Just rinse them off and they’ll be perfectly clean again.”
Sodium percarbonate is an alkaline compound that assists in breaking down and dissolving grease and oil-based marks, making it ideal for use on grimy extractor fan filters.
Beyond its grease-removing capabilities, this natural cleaning product is excellent for maintaining naturally white laundry by helping to prevent fabric yellowing caused by limescale accumulation.