Cleanliness Matters: Keeping Your Range Hood Clean for a Safe, Healthy, and Beautiful Kitchen

Key Takeaway: 

You should clean your range hood filters 1 time a month if you cook daily, and wipe down the exterior every 1 to 3 months. For internal components like fans and ductwork, schedule a professional deep cleaning every 1 to 3 years to ensure optimal safety and performance.

Why Range Hood Cleanliness Matters

A clean range hood comes with a whole host of benefits, from safety to better health. Let's break down each item:

• Safety: Range hoods build up grease over time, and that grease represents a fire hazard when exposed to high heat or flames.
• Air Quality: Grease buildup in the filters and ducts impacts the range hood's ability to pull air from the stovetop, leaving dangerous particles behind that smell bad and impact indoor air quality.
• Additional Health Concerns: Beyond the dangers of smoke inhalation, a buildup of grease and moisture can become a breeding ground for mold, bacteria, and pests.
• Energy Efficiency: Clean range hoods tend to run more efficiently, helping you save on energy costs and reducing your carbon footprint.
• Aesthetics: A sleek, stainless steel range hood that's free of grease and grime makes for a more attractive kitchen and a more livable home.

How Often Should You Clean Your Range Hood and Filters?

Cleaning frequency should depend on how often you cook on the stovetop. Daily home chefs should clean their range hood and filters once each month (or replace the filters if they're charcoal or fabric).

At a minimum, we recommend cleaning the exterior every 3 to 4 months and the filters at least 1 time a year—at an absolute minimum. You can eyeball the filters and look for grease buildup.

What Are the Signs Your Range Hood Needs Cleaning?

If you aren't tracking the months, look for these physical indicators that it is time for a cleaning:

• Are there grease drips? Check for extra residue or sticky spots on adjacent cabinets and walls.

• Do odors linger? Notice if strong smells remain in the kitchen long after you finish cooking.

• Is there discoloration? Look for yellowing or grime buildup on the filters or hood surfaces.

• Has suction power decreased? When boiling water, look for steam that rises without getting sucked up into the range hood.

Ideally, you'll want to clean your range hood before any of these problems arise. Regular maintenance cleaning will reduce problems and keep your range hood running strong for many years.

When to Schedule Professional Range Hood Cleaning

When it comes to deep cleaning ducts, fans, and other internal parts (which again, you should outsource to a professional), every 1 to 3 years should keep things running smoothly. The ideal time frame will depend on how often you cook with oils and whether you deep fry foods.

Watch for these specific signs that indicate you need a professional deep cleaning:

• Does your hood smell bad? If foul odors persist even after you have thoroughly cleaned or replaced the filters, the buildup is likely internal.

• Is the fan noticeably louder? A noisy motor usually means it is working harder than it should to pull air through clogged ducts.

• Does steam linger longer than it once did? This indicates a severe blockage in your ventilation system.

• Is there grease around the outside vent? If you have a ducted filter (which pumps air outside your home) and see grease buildup on the exterior vent, it is definitely time for a professional cleaning.

If you have any questions about cleaning your Hauslane range hood, feel free to contact customer support and we can offer guidance.