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Let me guess—your stove hood filter is looking a little… rough. Maybe a little sticky. Maybe a lot sticky. And maybe, just maybe, you’re avoiding looking directly at it because you know it’s due for a deep clean.
Hey, no judgment—we’ve all got that one spot in the kitchen we pretend isn’t there.
But here’s the thing: that little metal mesh trap above your stove? It’s working hard, catching all the smoky, greasy gunk while you fry bacon or sauté onions. And over time, it builds up into a mess that can make even the cleanest kitchen feel kind of grimy.
Good news? It’s not hard to clean. Pinky swear.
You’ve got options—three solid methods depending on your mood, your tools, and how ambitious you’re feeling.
Method 1: The OxiClean Soak (a.k.a. Set It and Forget It)
Honestly, this is my personal favorite. Minimal effort, maximum payoff.
What You’ll Need:
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Boiling hot water
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OxiClean (the powdery kind)
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A container big enough to soak your filter (think stockpot, basin, or even your bathtub in a pinch)
What to Do:
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Grab your soaking container and fill it with boiling water. Yes—boiling. The hotter the better.
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Add a generous scoop (around 1 cup) of OxiClean and give it a stir. The water will fizz a little—let it do its thing.
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Drop in the filter carefully and make sure it’s completely submerged.
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Go live your life for 20–30 minutes. If it’s super grimy, give it a little longer.
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Rinse it off under running water, shake off the excess, and let it air dry. That’s it. Seriously.
This method melts the grease right off like magic. It’s kind of gross… but also satisfying.
Method 2: Baking Soda & Dish Soap (a Classic for a Reason)
If you don’t have OxiClean on hand, no problem—this old-school combo still works wonders.
You’ll Need:
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Super hot water
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Baking soda (¼ to ½ cup)
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Dish soap (the degreasing kind—think Dawn)
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A big sink or basin
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A soft brush or sponge
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Gloves if you’re fancy (or hate dishpan hands)
How It Goes:
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Remove the filter from your hood. Most just slide or pop out—check your manual if it’s tricky.
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Tap off loose gunk over the trash and give it a dry brush if it’s dusty.
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Fill your sink with hot water, squirt in a good glug of dish soap, and toss in the baking soda.
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Soak the filter for 30 minutes—or longer if it’s been a while (no shame).
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After soaking, gently scrub with a soft brush or sponge. Don’t go at it like you’re sanding furniture—just enough to get into the corners.
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Rinse well, shake off the water, and set it aside to dry completely.
You’ll be amazed at the difference. Like, why didn’t I do this sooner? kind of amazed.
Method 3: Steam Clean It (When You’re in a Mood to Battle Grease Head-On)
Got a steam cleaner? This one’s a bit messier, but oddly satisfying if you like hands-on cleaning.
You’ll Need:
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A steam cleaner with a nozzle
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Protective gloves (steam burns are no joke)
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A towel or some newspaper for catching grease
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A sponge or cloth for wipe-down duty
Here’s How:
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Set up your cleaning zone. This gets messy, so lay something down underneath.
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Heat up your steam cleaner and get that nozzle ready.
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Slowly run the steam over the filter. You’ll actually see the grease melt off—it’s kind of gross but also kinda fun.
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Wipe with a cloth as you go. Rinse the cloth often so you’re not just smearing grease around.
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Give it a final rinse and let it air dry.
Great option if you’re into gadgets or just need a reason to finally use that steam cleaner you bought last Black Friday.
Final Thoughts from Someone Who’s Been There
Listen, nobody wakes up excited to clean their hood filter. But once you do it—wow—your kitchen feels fresher, your fan works better, and you might even notice your stovetop doesn’t get quite as greasy as fast.
Whether you soak it, scrub it, or steam the heck out of it, cleaning that filter is one of those little things that makes a big difference.
And hey—if you’re already deep-cleaning the kitchen, might as well tackle it while you’re in the zone, right?
Just don’t forget to dry it completely before popping it back in. Damp filters and electric fans don’t mix well. Ask me how I know.