Before January Ends, Clean This Hidden Kitchen Fire Hazard (It Could Cost You!)

Lizzy Briskin
Lizzy Briskin
Lizzy is a trained chef, food writer, and recipe developer for print and digital outlets including Insider, Real Simple, and the Chicago Tribune. She has a culinary degree from Cambridge School of Culinary Arts and a BA from Amherst College. She lives in New York City, where she…read more
published Jan 24, 2025
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Kitchen
Credit: Courtesy of Artem Kropovinksy, Builder: Ryan Fletcher

You might vacuum every few days, clean the lint trap in your dryer after every use, and even wipe down the interior of your fridge regularly. But there’s one appliance in your kitchen that you’re probably not cleaning as often as you should (at least, I’m not) — and it could be costing you your money and safety. 

According to Cara Palmer, professional cleaner and founder of Organize Every Room, January is the best time to clean the ventilation hood over your stove. “All those turkey roasts, cookie-baking sessions, and family dinners leave behind layers of grease and residue that most people don’t notice during the busy holiday rush,” she says. Even if you didn’t host a crowd during the holidays, your range hood should be cleaned every three to six months, depending on how much cooking you do.

Why Is It So Important to Keep Your Range Hood Vent Clean?

Keeping your range hood clean isn’t just a sanitary issue, but it can actually save you money. “When grease builds up on the filter, your range hood has to work harder to pull air through, using more electricity and potentially shortening its lifespan,” Palmer says. When your hood is clean, it’s more efficient at its job of sucking up smoke, odors, and moisture from your kitchen. This keeps the air in your kitchen cleaner and reduces the risk of damaging your walls and cabinets with grease stains and humidity. 

Not to mention, a dirty range hood filter is also a safety issue as it could even cause a fire. When you cook, grease (intentionally) gets trapped in the filter. If it’s left to build up, all that grease can become flammable, which you don’t want in such close proximity to the high heat (and often open flame) of your stove. 

Convinced yet? The good news is that you can thoroughly clean your range hood in only about 20 minutes. You’ll need baking soda, degreasing spray, a soft scrub brush, a microfiber cloth, and a few dishcloths. You may also want to wear a pair of rubber gloves

Credit: Cat Meschia

How to Clean Your Range Hood Vent Filter

Instructions:

  1. Fill your sink with hot soapy water and a half cup of baking soda. 
  2. Remove the filter from your hood and soak it in the sink for 15 minutes. 
  3. Lay a few dishcloths under the range hood to catch any drips. 
  4. Spray the hood inside and out with the degreasing agent and let it sit for 2 to 3 minutes. Use a soft microfiber cloth to wipe the hood clean.
  5. Scrub the filter with a soft brush and rinse it well. 
  6. Place the filter on a dish towel to dry fully before reinstalling it in the hood. 

Palmer says you’ll immediately notice the difference in air quality and performance with a clean ventilation filter. Enjoy the savings and cleaner air — and mark your calendar for the next three to six months for the next deep clean.