Cleaning your kitchen extractor fan – tips for a fresher kitchen
The importance of cleaning your extractor fan
The kitchen extractor fan is one of the most important parts of the kitchen to keep clean in order to maintain a fresh and safe home. A dirty extractor fan is full of bacteria and also poses a fire hazard, as melted grease in the filters can drip down onto the hob and catch fire. Cleaning your extractor fan regularly, ideally as part of your routine home cleaning, not only reduces bacteria and odors but also protects your home from the risk of fire.
Cleaning the extractor fan
The extractor fan as a whole should be cleaned at regular intervals to keep it fresh and working efficiently. Start by switching off the fan and wiping down the outside with a cloth and warm water with a little dish soap. The dish soap breaks down grease and removes dirt from the exterior. If your extractor fan is made of stainless steel, use a cleaning product specifically designed for that material to avoid scratches and maintain a polished finish.
For the inside of the fan, use a damp cloth with dish soap and wipe down all the surfaces where grease and dirt tend to collect. Don't forget the underside, where air and grease enter. A clean extractor fan improves air circulation and reduces the risk of unpleasant odors.
Cleaning the exterior
The outside of the extractor fan is straightforward to clean. Stainless steel fans can be wiped down with a damp cloth and dish soap. For aluminium fans, use warm or sparkling water and a degreasing agent instead. Make sure to clean the entire exterior thoroughly, including the underside, around the panel where the filters sit, and along the edges where cooking fumes tend to build up. The area around the filter panel deserves particular attention, as this is where grease and bacteria tend to accumulate most.
Cleaning the extractor fan filter
The filter is the part of the extractor fan that collects the most grease and dirt, which is why it needs to be cleaned regularly, ideally once a month. The filter can usually be removed easily, and if it is made of metal it can often go straight in the dishwasher. To avoid grease transferring to other dishes, run it in an empty dishwasher.
If the filter is heavily soiled, soak it in a solution of warm water and dish soap. Leave it for 10 to 15 minutes, then scrub away the dirt with a dish brush. Cleaning the filter regularly allows the fan to work efficiently and keeps the kitchen smelling fresh.
Cleaning the filter with baking soda and vinegar
Baking soda and vinegar are a powerful and eco-friendly way to clean extractor fan filters. This method is particularly effective if the filter is very dirty or has stubborn old grease stains.
Here is how to do it:
Prepare a basin of hot water: Fill a large basin or the kitchen sink with hot water.
Add baking soda and vinegar: Add a few tablespoons of baking soda to the water, then pour in a little vinegar. The mixture will begin to fizz as the two ingredients react, which helps to loosen grease and dirt.
Soak the filter: Place the filter in the mixture and leave it to soak for around 15 to 20 minutes. This gives the solution time to break down the grease and dirt.
Scrub with a brush: Use a soft brush to scrub away any remaining grease. Rinse the filter thoroughly with clean water and allow it to dry completely before putting it back in the extractor fan.
Using baking soda and vinegar is not only effective but also gentle on both the filter and the environment. By cleaning your extractor fan and its filters regularly using these methods, you can keep your kitchen free from bad odors, improve air quality, and reduce the risk of fire.
Five effective ways to get your filter spotlessly clean using things you already have at home
Soak in dish soap: Soak the filter in water mixed with a few drops of dish soap. The soap is a degreaser and helps to dissolve the grease. Finish off any remaining dirt with a dish brush.
Run it in the dishwasher: You can put your filter in an empty dishwasher. There is a risk that the grease may transfer to other items, so always run it on its own.
Boiling water: Metal filters can be submerged in boiling water to dissolve the grease. Be careful with polyester (plastic) filters, however, as the heat can cause them to melt.
Baking soda and vinegar: A good alternative if you do not have dish soap to hand. Leave the filter in the mixture for around 10 minutes, then rinse it off and scrub with a dish brush before rinsing again.
The washing machine: If you have removable charcoal filters (the soft kind), these can be put in the washing machine. Bear in mind that the charcoal in these filters becomes deactivated after washing and will need to be reactivated. To do this, heat the filter in the oven at 100–150°C for a few hours and then allow it to dry completely.
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