How to Clean a Range Hood Filter

To clean a range hood filter, remove the filter from the hood, place it in a sink or large pot, cover it with boiling water mixed with a quarter cup of baking soda and a squirt of dish soap, let it soak for 15 minutes, scrub with a non-abrasive brush, rinse, dry, and reinstall. Do this every 1 to 3 months depending on how often you cook.

The steps

Remove the filter from the hood

Most range hood filters slide out or unclip from the underside of the hood. Look for a latch, loop, or spring clip. Push, slide, or pull to release. Some hoods have two filters side by side. Remove both.

Boil water and prepare the cleaning solution

Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a boil, or plug the sink and boil water in a kettle. You need enough water to fully submerge the filter. Add a quarter cup of baking soda slowly (it fizzes when it hits hot water) and a good squirt of dish soap.

Submerge the filter and soak for 15 minutes

Place the filter in the sink or pot and pour the boiling solution over it until it is fully covered. Let it soak for 15 minutes. You will see the grease dissolve into the water almost immediately. For heavily caked filters, soak for 30 minutes or repeat the process.

Scrub and rinse

Use a non-abrasive brush or the rough side of a sponge to scrub both sides of the filter. Focus on areas where grease is still visible. Rinse under hot running water until the water runs clear and the filter feels clean to the touch.

Dry and reinstall

Shake off excess water and lay the filter on a towel to dry. You can also pat it dry. Once fully dry, slide or clip the filter back into the hood. Running the hood fan for a minute helps evaporate any remaining moisture.

Why a greasy filter kills your range hood

Range hoods pull smoke, grease particles, and cooking odors out of the air above your stove. The filter is what catches the grease before it enters the exhaust duct and the fan motor.

When the filter clogs with grease, three things happen:

Airflow drops sharply. The fan still runs, but it cannot pull air through a clogged filter. You notice that cooking smells linger longer and steam hangs over the stove instead of being pulled away.
Grease bypasses the filter and coats the inside of the exhaust duct. Duct cleaning is expensive and often requires a professional.
A heavily greased filter near an open flame is a fire hazard. Grease fires can start on the filter surface if it gets hot enough.

A 20-minute soak every 1 to 3 months prevents all three problems and keeps the hood working at full capacity.

The boiling water trick

Regular dish soap and warm water will clean a lightly greasy filter, but they struggle with the baked-on layer that builds up over weeks of cooking. Boiling water changes the game.

Grease liquefies at high temperatures. When you submerge a greasy filter in boiling water mixed with baking soda, the heat melts the grease and the baking soda emulsifies it so it lifts off the mesh. You can literally watch the water turn yellow as the grease dissolves.

Baking soda is mildly alkaline, which cuts through grease without corroding the aluminum mesh. Avoid harsh oven cleaners or steel wool on aluminum filters. They will strip the finish and damage the mesh.

Mesh filters vs. charcoal filters

Range hoods use two types of filters, and the cleaning method depends on which you have:

Aluminum mesh filters are the most common. They are metal grids that trap grease mechanically. These are the filters this guide covers. They are washable and reusable indefinitely as long as the mesh is intact.

Charcoal or carbon filters are used in ductless (recirculating) hoods. They absorb odors rather than trapping grease. These cannot be washed. They must be replaced every 3 to 6 months, or whenever they stop controlling odors. Replacement charcoal filters cost $10 to $30 and are specific to your hood model.

To tell which you have, remove the filter and look at it. A mesh filter is a shiny metal grid. A charcoal filter is a thick, dark-colored pad that feels spongy or fibrous.

Signs the filter needs replacing instead of cleaning

Even metal mesh filters wear out eventually. Replace yours if:

The mesh is torn, bent, or has holes larger than the original grid pattern
The frame is warped and the filter no longer sits flush in the hood
You have cleaned it three or more times and grease still will not come off
The mesh has corroded (common in very old filters or filters cleaned with harsh chemicals)

Replacement mesh filters run $10 to $25 for standard sizes. Measure your existing filter or search your hood's model number to find the right size.

How this fits into a maintenance routine

Range hood filter cleaning is one of the easiest kitchen maintenance tasks and pairs well with other monthly kitchen cleaning. When you clean the dishwasher filter or refresh the garbage disposal, give the range hood filter the boiling water treatment at the same time. All three tasks together take about 30 minutes and keep the whole kitchen running and smelling clean.

Frequently asked questions

How often should I clean my range hood filter?

Monthly if you cook daily, especially if you fry or saute often. Every 2 to 3 months for lighter cooking. Check the filter by holding it up to a light. If light barely passes through, it is overdue for cleaning.

Can I put range hood filters in the dishwasher?

Most aluminum mesh filters are dishwasher safe. Run them on the hottest cycle with a degreasing detergent. However, charcoal or carbon filters cannot be washed at all and must be replaced. Check what type your hood uses before putting anything in the dishwasher.

What if my filter is still greasy after soaking?

Repeat the boiling water and baking soda soak. Very old grease sometimes needs two or three rounds. You can also try a commercial degreaser sprayed directly on the stubborn spots before the second soak. If the filter is warped, cracked, or will not come clean after multiple washes, replace it for $10 to $25.

My range hood is noisy but not pulling much air. Is the filter the issue?

A clogged filter is the most common cause of reduced airflow. Clean it first. If airflow is still weak after cleaning, check the duct that connects the hood to the exterior vent. Grease can build up in the duct over time and restrict flow. Duct cleaning is a professional job for most homeowners.

How to Clean a Range Hood Filter

What you'll need