How To Clean Range Hood Mesh Filter | A Step-by-Step Guide

Jessica Wiest
Last updated: August 10, 2023

Imagine…You are sizzling chicken wings to make your taste buds dance with delight at dinner. Suddenly, a lingering grease drops on your sizzling pan from your hood’s mesh filter. Or, The mesh filters fail to tackle your sizzling smoke, that makes your kitchen smokey… and you are coughing/sneezing and feeling suffocating. Or, suddenly, you discover the filter looks too greasy due to heavy, stubborn grease on its surface. Aren’t those three situations awkward, disgusting, and yuckying? No doubt. So, what’s the culprit behind these three unappetizing situations? Absolutely, ignoring the periodical cleaning of the mesh filters. That leads to you suffering from poor air quality and your kitchen losing its charm.

Just a simple mesh filter cleaning can take your culinary journey to simplicity and pizzazz.

And in this short yet compelling guide, we’ll let you know how to clean range hood mesh filters. So, get ready to make a less-than-pristine range hood as you dream.

What You will Know show

How To Understand When I Need To Clean My Mesh Filters?

Most home cooks, like you, don’t know exactly when to show love to their kitchen hood’s mesh filters with a thorough, simple, or deep cleaning.

And that’s why they frequently ask this question to their neighbours, relatives and friends when they clean.

However, the best part is…

Before we delve deeper into the cleaning process… Here’s 5 signs how you can understand when your mesh filter needs cleaning.

The Grease-y Aura

The mesh filter of the hood is like a guardian for your kitchen’s fresh air. If you find greasy villains threaten to linger even after one hour of cooking.

It indicates the mesh filter, the superhero of the hood, loses its power and is overwhelmed with grease.

So, they become less effective in neutralizing smoke and odor. And this greasy aura hijacks your kitchen’s atmosphere.

The Dim Lights Indicator

Do you feel your kitchen lights aren’t as brightly shining as they were?

It’s because, over time, your cooking grease and grime clogged the lights. And as they work like gatekeepers to offer radiant lighting in your kitchen.

Once they are clogged, the light’s brightness gets dimmed. You can also consider it as the curtains drawn on your kitchen’s brilliance.

So, open those curtains and return to the lights shining brightness. They need cleaning love.

The Muffled Whispers

Have you noticed a roaring noise like a mighty lion from the range hood during cooking?

They ask for your attention and admiration and need some TLC as the buildup debris restricts the airflow. So the hood needs to work harder than before.

That whispering sound tells you to clean the mesh filters to restore its vocal cords.

The Grease Art Exhibition

Closely admire your kitchen walls taking a moment.

No, we don’t tell you to see the beautiful artwork you’ve hung up. Instead, we want you to look at the unintentional “grease art” that might be decorating your space.

Can you see it?

Yes…

And it’s because of the negligence of your mesh filter for a long time. So they can’t any more catch the grease particles you produce during cooking.

That’s why these make unsightly splatters on your kitchen walls and cabinets.

Not to look at this greasy gallery anymore; put on your cleaning apron and clean the mesh filters. And save your beautiful kitchen walls from the unwanted modern art masterpiece. 😁

The Sticky Fingers

Love fun, even in the kitchen. Then, here’s a fun experiment to know the mesh filter cleaning time.

Lightly touch the hood’s mesh filters with your fingertips.

Do you feel sticky or greasy?

Then, it’s a sign they are deprived of a good scrub for a long time and become a sticky trap.

To change the greasy game of your mesh filters, they need an immediately squeaky-clean makeover.

You also like to know: How To Install Make Up Air For Range Hood?

How To Clean Your Range Hood Mesh Filters (A Kitchen Symphony of Freshness)

So, now you know when to clean the mesh filters of your kitchen range hood.

The immediate light bulb comes to your mind with “How To Clean”, right?

Here’s the simple, and easy step by step instructions to follow even in your kitchen.

Step 1: Mission Preparation

You need a little preparation to untap the full potential of your range hood mesh filter. Tools gathering and unplugging the hood from the electric connection is a must for this step.

Tools arrangement

Screwdriver for filter opening
Degreaser and warm water for cleaning
Soft brush or sponge for scrubbing the sticky grease
Cleaning gloves and apron for personal safety
A ladder to reach the filter
A piece of newspaper
A kitchen towel

Step 2: Access the Hidden Realm

If you don’t have experience unscrewing the hood’s mesh filters. It’s better first to read the manufacturer’s instructions. Or just do these

Stand on a steady ladder that won’t wobble even when you climb it.
Unscrew the screws of the filter carefully and remove them from the hood.
Keep these greasy filters on a newspaper piece, so as not to make your kitchen mess up.
Safely get down the ladder.

Step 3: Shake Off the Dusty Dust Bunnies

All the debris and dirt particles aren’t clinging into the deep of the filter’s cranny. So, embracing the power of a good shake works well to dislodge the loose debris or dust.

Taking the filters over your kitchen sink, give them a moderate yet gentle shake.
The shaking will bid the clingy dust bunnies a farewell.

Step 4: Choose Your Cleaning Elixir

Channel your inner alchemist to pick your cleaner potion. Here, it can be any commercial degreaser. Or your own magical mixture of concoct (Baking soda, dish cleaner, etc). There is no abundance. The choice is yours. However,

A commercial degreaser would be better for deep cleaning. (While stubborn grease clings to the filters.)
Dish soap and baking soda would be better for regular cleaning. (While there’s no stubborn grease clinging to the filters.)

Step 5: Dive Into the Grease Battle

No matter what cleaning option you choose. It’s time to put the filters into them to soften the grease.

Clog the water-draining pathway of your kitchen sink.
Open the sink tape, fill it with ¾, and turn it off.
Submerge the mesh filters into the water, ensuring they are fully covered.
Put one-half cup of commercial degreaser or one cup of baking soda and half cup of dish liquid into the water.
Let them soak for 30 minutes.
It’ll help the elixir to work its charm and the stubborn grease buildup loose.

Step 6: The Gentle Brush Harmony

Only warm water and cleaner soaking aren’t enough to sparkle clean the filters. So, they need a soft scrabbling to get their shine from the inside.

Pick a soft brush or sponge.
Give a gentle symphony with scrubbing on those mesh filters.
Double or triple scrub the most greasy residue areas with back-and-forth strokes.

Step 7: Rinse Away the Grime

They need an oasis of warm water to refresh the loose greasy particles from their chest.

Open the clogged sink and drain the dirty water.
After that, again, clog the sink and turn the tape on.
Fill the sink and submerge the filters into the freshwater.
Finally, give a thorough rinse, ensuring washing away all the traces from the filters.
Once you see the water turns from murky to clean as it is, that reveals your progress.

Step 8: The Pat-Down Duet

Patting down the filters is like showing tender love to them. But before that

Stand the filter leaning against a wall.
The filter’s extra clinging water will drain.
Now, pat them with a kitchen towel that absorbs excess moisture.
And bask them in the air, embrace to get their newfound cleanliness.

Step 9: Reunite and Celebrate

Congrats, you have done sparkling cleaning. So, now with a triumphant smile, feel the satisfaction of completing the mission. But, until you reattach the filters in the hood, they aren’t ready to use. to make them usable

Aging, set the ladder and climb on it adjusting your height.
Place the filters to their rightful area, secure them with screws.

You also like to know: How To Clean Range Hood Duct | Easy Steps For Spotless Kitchen

Common Mistakes to Avoid (Navigate the Greasy Minefield)

Never use harsh chemicals to preserve their integrity.
Don’t scrub vigorously, as it may crack due to excessive force.
Don’t abandon them to their fate by neglecting regular cleaning.
Avoid rushing their drying process, as moisture can become a breeding ground for unwanted molds and bacteria.
Don’t ignore the manufacturer’s instructions; they tell you the safe and effective cleaning process.

FAQs

How often should I clean my range hood mesh filters?

The general recommendation is every 1 to 3 months. But, genuinely, it depends on your cooking habits and frequency.

How can I tell if my mesh filters are beyond cleaning and need to be replaced?

If you notice some signs such as large holes, fast excessive grease buildup, bent or damaged in your mesh filters. That might be beyond cleaning and redemption.

Can I reuse my cleaned mesh filters immediately after cleaning?

No, patience is the key here, and they need to be fully dry before reusing them. Otherwise, the damp filters may hinder proper airflow and lead to mold or unpleasant odors.

Conclusion

Cleaning your mesh filters isn’t just about maintaining a sparkling kitchen. It’s all about…

Ensuring your range hood operation at its full potential, improving air quality, and preventing unwanted grease from taking over your culinary sanctuary.

So, pay attention to these unique signs and give them a regular cleaning they deserve.

Following our guide, defeat the greasy foes and restore your range hood mesh filters sparkling glory days.

And then…Sit back to breathe fresh air during cooking.