Occasionally, it’s important to clean your kitchen appliances.
And among the most important appliances to clean regularly is extractor hoods, not just to maintain their look but also to guard against fire risk from them getting clogged with grease – impairing airflow and resulting in the fan overheating.
So how do you clean an extractor hood? Don’t worry – we’re here to show you exactly how.
The golden rule
The golden rule of extractor fan cleaning is ‘little and often’. If cleaning your extractor hood is part of your weekly kitchen cleaning routine, you’ll never need to aggressively clean it and damage any surfaces.
Always test your soaking solution on a corner first to ensure you don’t damage or discolour painted surfaces.
Next, what kind of extractor do you have…?
There are two types of extractor fans…flat and the chimney-style – and there are different procedures for each.
Flat extractors
Replacing the grease filter
Flat-style extractors have grease filters, made of paper. It will need replacing if it gets saturated with grease and becomes discoloured. Find out how to remove the casing, get one from your local supermarket and cut to size.
Replace it every three months to a year.
Cleaning the cover
You can clean the extractor cover by taking it off. Soak it with boiling water and soda crystals. Leaving it overnight will do the trick and wipe it with a microfibre cloth.
Chimney-style extractors
Cleaning the mesh filter
The majority of chimney-style extractors use aluminium mesh as a filter rather than paper – they are easily removed.
Remove the mesh and clean it using boiling water and washing-up liquid if it has a small build up. If there is too much build up, you can put it in the dishwasher and wash it with water afterwards.
Replacing a carbon odour filter
Some modern kitchen extractors use a carbon odour filter, which, unfortunately, can’t be cleaned. However, they can be replaced if it isn’t removing the kitchen odours. You have two choices – contact the manufacturer or search online for suitable replacements.
Replacing it six months to a year is usually fine for most people.
Cleaning a stainless steel exterior
Stainless steel can get very sticky, so you’ll have to put some work into your cleaning for this – but don’t be too aggressive – working in a linear cleaning motion, rather than a circular one.
After you have cleaned it, add some baby oil to nourish the stainless steel and help prevent fingerprints.
Cleaning extractor hood light bulb casing
If there are light bulbs on your extractor, you can usually easily take the plastic or glass casing off.
Soaking or scraping the dirt on the casing should work, but be careful not to damage it.
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Visit our showroom or link in bio to get in touch to find out more.
AS SEEN ON GEORGE CLARKE’S BEAUTIFUL BUILDS: FROM DATED LAYOUT TO DREAM ENTERTAINING SPACE
When Katherine and Andrew purchased their property, they always knew a full renovation would follow.
With both the outdated kitchen and untouched garden requiring significant transformation, the project soon became part of Channel 4’s George Clarke’s Beautiful Builds – it was an opportunity they felt perfectly aligned with their vision for the property.
While searching for a local kitchen specialist, Kitchen Design Centre immediately stood out thanks to its long-standing reputation, glowing customer reviews and welcoming showroom experience.
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Functionality was equally important throughout the design process, with carefully considered storage solutions and high-quality appliances helping to simplify everyday living. Among Katherine and Andrew’s favourite additions is the Neff oven, praised for both its versatility and pyrolytic self-cleaning function.
The completed result is a sophisticated contemporary space that completely transforms how the home looks, feels, and functions, perfectly reflecting Katherine and Andrew’s original vision from the moment they moved in.
More details in our bio
SUMMER JUST GOT EVEN BETTER FOR YOUR DREAM KITCHEN!
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With our exclusive Quooker offer, when you purchase any Quooker Tap and Tank system with a kitchen over £20,000, you’ll receive a FREE Quooker CUBE worth £1,250, plus free installation worth up to £384, and 4 free CO₂ cylinders worth £70. It’s everything you need to enjoy chilled, filtered, sparkling and boiling water straight from your tap.
And when you step into our showrooms, there are even more opportunities waiting for you, including exclusive savings on selected ex-display kitchens and up to 50% off selected stock appliances. Don’t miss this rare chance to secure something special, with design and value combined.
That said, like all great things, these summer offers are only available for a limited time — once they’re gone, they’re gone!
The kitchen isn’t just a place to cook — it’s the heart of the home.
At our Kitchen Design Centre, we believe your kitchen should be the centrepiece of your house, where style meets functionality and every moment matters. From morning coffees to family dinners and everything in between, your kitchen is where life happens.
That’s why we design spaces that bring people together — beautiful, practical, and tailored to you. Whether you’re dreaming of a sleek modern look or a warm, classic feel, we’re here to help you create a kitchen that truly feels like home.
Visit us today and start designing the heart of your home.
Kitchen Design Centre is proud to feature on George Clarke’s Beautiful Builds which features Katherine and Andrew’s Manchester build this Thursday 11 June , 8pm, CH4
We can’t wait to watch it!
Book A Free Design Appointment
