The range hood is one of those kitchen tasks that get skipped way too often. You wipe the outside, check the light, and that's about it. But after winter, the inside is usually in much worse shape than it looks.
In winter, we cook more at home, make more sauces, bake more, and keep the windows closed. Grease settles layer by layer in places you can't see at first glance. The usual scenario: the kitchen looks okay, but the hood stops pulling air, the filter is sticky, and the light looks yellow. If you run a finger across it, it feels tacky. That's the moment when a quick wipe isn't enough. The hood needs a real degreasing.
A clean hood isn't just about looks. It affects the air quality in your home, the suction power, and even safety. Grease in the filters is unhygienic and, in extreme cases, a fire hazard. That's why cleaning it after winter should be a part of your spring kitchen reset, not just a task you put off for another week.
Why your hood needs extra care after winter
Winter is harder on your range hood than any other season. Windows stay shut, and grease has nowhere to go. Some gets caught in the filter, some on the body, and some sticky residue finds its way into hard-to-reach vents and joints.
You'll notice the signs pretty quickly. The hood makes noise, but there's no suction. Cooking smells linger longer, and dust starts sticking to every surface. If you have a stainless steel hood, you'll see it almost immediately. On painted surfaces, it's less obvious, but the problem is the same.
Beyond performance, there's the hygiene factor. A grease filter left for months is more than just ugly. Grease traps more dirt over time, creating a layer that is much harder to remove than fresh buildup. The longer you wait, the more of a struggle it becomes.
Filters: The heart of your range hood
If you want the cleaning to actually work, start with the filters. That's where most of the grease ends up. A common mistake is cleaning only the cover while leaving the filter untouched. It might look better for a day, but that's it.
Metal grease filters
Metal filters are common and can be cleaned very thoroughly. Take them out carefully and check the buildup. If they're only slightly greasy, hot water and dish soap might do the trick. After winter, though, you usually need more firepower.
Practical steps: fill the sink with the hottest water you can, add dish soap or a degreaser, and a bit of baking soda. Let the filter soak for at least 20 minutes. Don't rush this - if the grease softens in the water, you save yourself a lot of scrubbing and avoid damaging the mesh.
For a really sticky filter, try the baking soda trick. After soaking, sprinkle some on a brush and scrub in the direction of the mesh. It's not magic, just a solid method that works when soap alone fails. Avoid wire wool - it'll just ruin the filter.
Some metal filters are dishwasher safe, but only if the manufacturer says so. Even then, it's better to run them alone so you don't end up with grease all over your plates and glasses.
Carbon filters and recirculation
Carbon filters usually can't be cleaned - they have to be replaced. If your hood doesn't vent outside, check how old the filter is. If the hood is running but the smells stay, it's time for a new one.
The biggest mistake is trying to wash a carbon filter. You'll just ruin it. Activated carbon isn't like a metal mesh. Once it's saturated, it belongs in the bin. Normally they last a few months, but a post-winter check is always a good idea.
Cleaning the body and inner parts
Once the filters are out, you'll see the real situation. Around the frames and in the corners is where the stickiest film hides. Wipe the surface with warm water and a cloth first to take off the worst of the grime. Then use your degreaser. If you try to scrub it dry, you'll just smear the grease around.
With stainless steel, always wipe in the direction of the grain and finish with a dry microfiber cloth. On painted hoods, be careful with rough sponges - you can easily leave dull patches that you can't buff out later.
If you can reach the fan, clean that too, but only as far as you can get without taking apart anything electrical. Always unplug the hood first. It's a small detail that's easy to skip, but it's not worth the risk. Home cleaning should stop where it's safe, not where motor repair begins.
When home cleaning isn't enough
Sometimes even a deep soak doesn't help. If the suction is still weak after cleaning, or it makes a weird noise, or you can smell grease from the ducting, it's not a job for baking soda anymore. That's when you need a service or a professional deep clean.
If the hood has been neglected for years or you've just moved into a place after tenants, it's worth calling for help. CistýKout can help with a kitchen clean that tackles the corners a standard weekend wipe-down always misses.
Want your kitchen truly reset after winter?
If the hood is just the start and you know your kitchen needs a bigger restart, book a deep clean with us. You won't have to spend your weekend fighting old grease, and the kitchen will actually feel new again.
