In the rush of everyday life, it is common for certain areas of the house to be forgotten, but the website specializing in organization and cooking Kitchn warns of the importance of not ignoring the hood filters. These components, often hidden and difficult to access, end up accumulating layers of grease and dirt that seem impossible to remove without a lot of manual effort.
However, before applying any cleaning method, there is a crucial step that only takes 30 seconds: checking the filter type. Most modern hoods use metal filters (aluminum or stainless steel mesh), which are washable and reusable. However, some models work with activated carbon filters, which cannot be wet and must be replaced periodically. If you’ve confirmed that yours are metallic, you can then move on to the homemade method that leaves them looking like new without having to pick up a mop.
The Science of Boiling Water and Bicarbonate
The secret to dissolving grease embedded in metal grates does not lie in expensive products, but in a thermal and chemical combination. According to the experts at the aforementioned portal, the process uses boiling water to soften the residues and sodium bicarbonate, a natural alkaline, to disintegrate the fat molecules. To enhance the effect, you can add a common degreaser, such as washing up liquid, or even lemon juice for those who prefer more ecological solutions.
How to apply the method step by step
Executing this trick is quite simple and allows you to dedicate yourself to other tasks while cleaning practically happens on its own. To begin with, you must prepare the environment for the immersion “bath”. Choose a wide container where the pieces can fit completely or, alternatively, use your own sink, filling it with plenty of boiling water to ensure good thermal coverage.
With the water base ready, it’s time to add the cleaning agents. Add two tablespoons of baking soda, adjusting the amount if the dirt is too deep, and reinforce the mixture with a little washing up liquid or lemon juice. Then, immerse the filters in this solution, making sure they are completely submerged so that the reaction acts in all the grooves.
The final step just requires patience. The ideal is to leave the filters to soak for at least two hours, so that the product works deeply. At the end of this time, you will notice that the fat has come off the grill naturally. To finish, simply rinse everything with clean water, dry well and return to the extractor fan. If the dirt is very old, it may be necessary to repeat the process.
The importance of regular maintenance
To keep the hood working at its maximum capacity, regularity is essential and should not be neglected. If you cook every day, especially fried foods, fat accumulates quickly and can block the air passage, straining the motor and increasing the noise of the appliance. Therefore, it is recommended that you repeat this process once a month. Keeping the filters unclogged not only guarantees a smoke- and odor-free kitchen, it also significantly extends the life of the equipment, avoiding costly breakdowns in the future.
Bonus tip: A paste for the oven
Since the package of baking soda is open, you can take advantage of the versatility of this ingredient to also clean the inside of the oven, as suggested by . A very effective technique is to create a thick paste by mixing just one tablespoon of bicarbonate, one of salt and two of water.
This mixture must be spread on the areas of the oven with burnt fat. After leaving it to act for some time, it is recommended to spray the surface with a mixture of water and vinegar. The effervescent reaction that is generated helps to disinfect and loosen stubborn dirt, simply by wiping it with a damp cloth at the end and the appliance will shine in a more environmentally friendly way and without resorting to abrasive chemicals.
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