TIPS & GUIDES
Top 5 Stainless Steel Cleaners for Range Hoods
By Hauslane ∙ 5 mins readOne of the great things about range hoods is their ability to cut down on cleaning time in the kitchen. These unsung heroes whisk away fumes and odors while snagging grease before it has a chance to wreak havoc. In order for range hoods to function at their best, they need regular maintenance and care. Products such as stainless steel cleaners can help you keep things looking fresh without requiring a lot of elbow grease. Today, we’re sharing our top five picks for the best stainless steel cleaners for range hoods on the market.
What to Know Before You Clean
Stainless steel is one of the most durable materials out there, but there are still a few things to keep in mind before cleaning a stainless steel range hood. Overly strong chemicals and cleaning sponges or pads can damage the material. So, be sure to avoid heavy-duty products such as oven cleaners and bleach. Never use rough sponges, wire brushes, or steel wool. These products can cause discoloration, fading, and scratches.
We’ll get to our five recommended stainless steel cleaners in just a moment, but here’s a tip for cleaning in general: Use a microfiber cloth to clean and scrub in the same direction of the grain. The fabric is soft enough to not affect the finish. By cleaning in the direction of the grain, you won’t have to worry about leaving marks behind.
1. DIY Natural Degreaser
Did you know you can easily make your own stainless steel cleaner at home? All it takes is a few simple, everyday ingredients. To get started, you’ll need: White vinegar, a spray bottle, and a microfiber cloth or very soft sponge. Take your spray bottle and pour white vinegar inside. You may choose to dilute the solution with water if desired. Next, spray the range hood body with vinegar. Take your microfiber cloth or sponge to wipe away grease. Remember to go with the grain of the finish. Then, wipe down the range hood with water to remove any leftover residue or grease. You can dry off the surface with an additional microfiber cloth.
2. WD-40 Specialist Industrial-Strength Cleaner & Degreaser
Looking for an all-purpose cleaner that is tough on grease and gentle on stainless steel? The WD-40 Specialist Industrial-Strength Cleaner is made to knock out grease across multiple surfaces, including aluminum, chrome, glass, plastic, rubber, stainless steel, granite, painted surfaces, and even leather. This product features a bio-solvent, water-based formula, which makes it effective yet gentle.
3. Fantastik All Purpose Cleaner
The Fantastik All-Purpose Cleaner can also be used on a variety of surfaces such as granite, sealed marble, stainless steel, aluminum, chrome, brass, plastic, quartz, and more. This product is one of the most effective and budget-friendly options. It’s a great choice for anyone looking for a degreaser that leaves a fresh scent behind and doesn’t break the budget.
4. Easy Off Specialty Kitchen Degreaser Cleaner
Easy Off is known for their oven cleaners, but the brand also carries a degreaser. The Specialty Kitchen Degreaser Cleaner is designed to work on range hoods, backsplashes, ranges, microwaves, and kitchen counters. This product includes a light lemon scent and rapidly breaks down grease residue. One caveat: it should not be used on aluminum surfaces.
If you’ve used Goo Gone to remove sticky residue, you know how well these products work on even the tackiest, gummiest of surfaces. The Goo Gone Kitchen Degreaser works in the same way. As a one-step cleaner, you can use it to clean your range hood, counters, stovetop, pots, pans, and more. We love this product for cleaning range hoods that get a lot of use.
We highly recommend giving any of these five solutions a try on your range hood. As for how often to clean, it’s best to wipe down the range hood anytime you notice grease building up or once a week. Do you have a favorite range hood degreaser? Let us know in the comments!
P.S. If it’s been a while since you’ve cleaned your range hood filters, check out this guide for getting them sparkling clean.