Is it possible to clean the hood filter yourself - various cleaning methods, traditional methods of dealing with contaminants and the frequency of the procedure

Cleaning the hood filter is a mandatory procedure that must take place at regular intervals. The frequency depends on the load placed on the hood. In industrial premises, restaurant kitchens and cafes, hoods operate constantly; they purify large air flows. In this case, you need to resort to cleaning more often.

If we are talking about public catering establishments, then special control bodies must conduct preventive inspections of such equipment. If the filter is found to be so clogged that it is no longer doing its job, the establishment may be issued a fine.

To clean the filter, it is not necessary to contact a paid specialist. You can do this yourself. The main thing is to figure out which filter is installed. Its different types are cleaned in different ways.

If the hood is under heavy load, the filter should be cleaned at least once a month.

Types of filters and features of their cleaning

The design of the hood, no matter what its model, remains the same: motor, control panel, catch plane and filter. The latter are divided into the following main types:

1. Grease-catching.
2. Coal.

The first type is designed to clean the air flow from fatty particles. It helps the hood not to become coated inside with a layer of oil suspension, which can lead to difficulties in operation and failure of the equipment.

Grease filters are either disposable or reusable. The former cannot be cleaned; they are thrown away as soon as they become clogged.

Reusable filters can be cleaned yourself and it won't take much time. They are made of a metal frame with a mesh grid and are durable, reliable and resistant to all external influences.

The mesh element of such a filter is made of foil and has separate cells. They are necessary to change the directions of air flows.

They are made of stainless steel, galvanized metal or aluminum. Cleaning is very simple - the metal cassette is removed and washed with a sponge. If the hood has several cassettes, then you need to remove each one in turn.

The carbon filter absorbs the air, cleans it and sends it back into the room. The peculiarity of this type is that the filter not only purifies the air, but also eliminates odors.

It looks like a rectangular plastic cassette with a mesh containing coal inside. It is this that allows you to efficiently filter the air and eliminate odors.

Such filters are most often purchased additionally and installed together with grease-absorbing filters. The downside is that they cannot be cleaned. Every 3 - 4 months they need to be replaced with new ones.

Also, installing a carbon filter can lead to a decrease in the capacity of the hood. Therefore, it is important to ensure that the filters do not become clogged, otherwise the equipment will completely fail.

It is best to purchase a stainless steel filter: it is more durable, easy to clean and filters the air.

Recommendations for filter care

After finishing the operation of the device, you should inspect the equipment and identify the presence of contamination in it. People suffering from respiratory problems are advised to flush the device every day.

If the manufacturer prohibits washing the part with chlorine bleach, hydrogen peroxide, or acetic acid, it is necessary to clean the device with a safer product. Do not confuse a humidifier with an air purifier; the operating principles of the devices are different.

It is important to completely drain the water from the appliance when cleaning. To make the device's cleaning mechanism last longer, it is recommended to fill the humidifier's reserve tank with distilled water.

Those who forget to clean the element should purchase a device with an audible warning when the filter is dirty. The quality of the part is affected by the frequency of changing water in the reserve tank. The filter will last longer if you regularly wash it and the water hole, where harmful bacteria often multiply.

It is strictly forbidden to clean replaceable cartridges, as they reduce the usefulness of the device. Medical professionals advise buying a new reusable filter at least once every six months.

Preparatory work before the cleaning procedure

Before you begin the cleaning process itself, you need to do some preparatory work. The first step is to disconnect the equipment from the network. After this, you need to disassemble the hood so that you can get to the filter.

Dismantling occurs in the following sequence:

1. The hood cover is removed. To do this, you need to press the latches and pull it out of the grooves.
2. The filter cassette is carefully removed.
3. The pipe that connects the hood and the vent is dismantled. This is also necessary to clean it of dirt and grease.
4. The air filter is removed.
5. The appearance of the hood body is analyzed. If it is dirty, it also needs to be washed.

Each stage must be completed slowly. It is advisable to soak the pipe and filter in a container of water for a while. To do this, you can use dishwashing detergent or liquid soap. Before you start cleaning the air filter, you need to make sure that it can be subjected to this procedure. To do this, you should read the instructions for the hood.

Cleaning the body of this kitchen appliance is also not difficult. You can use simple kitchen soap for this. After the surface is washed, you need to wipe it dry. This will avoid streaks and prevent metal elements from becoming rusty. You can experiment directly with cleaning the filter, because there are several effective methods. You can choose based on your preferences and the means at hand.

It is important to dry all parts before reinstalling it in reverse order.

We wash the filters - even a beginner can do it!

When starting to wash filters, many are faced with difficulties - for example, which solution is best to use, how not to damage this important part.

The cleaning sequence looks something like this:

1. Be sure to remove the plug from the outlet! 2. Carefully remove the decorative panel of the hood. Carefully put all the screws in one place so that none of them get lost; 3. Remove the filter and place it in the cleaning solution for at least an hour; 4. Carefully wipe the corrugation and air duct; 5. Use a soft, non-abrasive cloth to go over the external parts of the device; 6. Assemble the device exactly in the same position in which it was before cleaning.

The methods for washing grease cleaner and charcoal cleaner are different.

Clean the filter using traditional methods: is it possible?

When starting the cleaning process, you can use specialized detergents: gels, powders, detergents, etc. But simple, and most importantly cheap, improvised means will help you cope with the task. They will not only save money, but are also less aggressive chemically. You won't have to worry about the skin of your hands when cleaning them.

One of the most inexpensive ways to clean the filter and other elements of the hood is simple soap, liquid soap or dishwashing detergent. To do this, you need to take the filter, grille and mesh and soak them in a container with soapy water.

To obtain this solution, you need to maintain the proportion - 4 portions of water to one portion of detergent. You need to leave the parts for 30 - 60 minutes. After this, you should pour boiling water over them and thoroughly clean them with a brush. It is important to choose a soft brush so that it does not leave scratches on the surface. You can try it on a small area, and then clean the entire filter and other elements. Parts must be dried before reinstalling, or wiped with a soft cloth.

Baking soda will also help remove dirt and grease. There are two options for using it:

• boil the filter and hood parts in a soda solution;
• make a paste of baking soda and water and apply it to the elements.

The second option will not cause any difficulties, but to implement the first you need to take a large container of water and put it on fire. Gradually add baking soda and stir it so that it dissolves faster. When the water boils, place the filter and the rest of the hood elements into it. Boil for 20 - 30 minutes. This method will allow you to get rid of even old dirt and grease and will not hurt your pocket.

Simple laundry soap can also help. You need to grate half or one whole soap into a container with water. Stir to create rich soapy water. After this, you need to put the filter in it and leave it for several hours. Some of the dirt may come off on its own, but the rest needs to be removed with a sponge or scraper.

Vinegar is an effective filter cleaner. It is best to use it in concentrated form. The algorithm is as follows:

• apply vinegar to the cloth;
• rub the filter and leave for 15 - 20 minutes;
• Remove dirt with a clean cloth and rinse the element with running water.

When cleaning in this way, you only need to wear gloves. Otherwise, you can harm your skin, get allergies or burns. If the filter is not very dirty, the vinegar can be diluted with water. The ideal proportion is 2 portions of vinegar, one portion of water.

Can remove dirt and lemon juice. But this option is quite expensive, because you will need a lot of lemons. Citric acid can replace it. You need to make a paste out of it and apply the mixture to the hood parts and filter. Wait 20 - 30 minutes and rinse them thoroughly with water. You can use a sponge.

These methods are very inexpensive and accessible. But they are not comparable in strength to chemicals. Therefore, if the contamination was not removed the first time, you can try again.

Cleaning the filter is a painstaking job that requires perseverance. Small cells in the grid do not allow you to quickly complete the task. It is important to take your time and thoroughly wash every centimeter of the filter.

You should only use a plastic scraper, because a metal one can scratch the surface.

Grease filter cleaning algorithm

The cells of the metal mesh are very small. That is why they so often become clogged with soot and drops of fat.

The aluminum filter will clean:

• the most ordinary soda, which is stored in many people’s cupboards for years;
• laundry soap - despite the fact that sharp-smelling bars are considered a relic of the past, they cope with their role in cleaning the filter with an A plus;
• non-abrasive dish soap;
• chemical products such as “Shine”, “Remedies for ovens and hoods”, and others that remove carbon deposits;
• lemon juice.

In each case, the filter needs to be soaked in hot water (almost boiling water) with the addition of detergent. The soaking time depends on the degree of contamination of the part, but not less than half an hour. If the fat is viscous and difficult to wash off, then the grate should be boiled in a large saucepan with a strong soda solution. After that, simply scrub the filter with a brush - and you're done! The sparkling grille has taken on new life.

There are modern models of hoods equipped exclusively with metal filters. For example, Universo CH-612-WH is an almost silent kitchen assistant.

Various ways to clean the hood filter

If simple methods do not help rid the hood filter of contaminants, then more complex cleaning methods can be used.

These include:

• Boiling using laundry soap and soda. For this method to work, you need to pour water into the pan, add laundry soap without any additives and 2 tablespoons of soda. The container must be put on fire.
• When the water boils, you should place a filter in it. If it does not fit completely, then you need to boil one side first, and then the other.
• The boiling process should last 5 - 7 minutes, after which the filter should be left in this liquid for several hours.
• Thanks to the influence of temperature and detergents, all contaminants quickly disappear. In this case, you don’t even need to use a sponge or brush.
• At the end of the procedure, you need to rinse the filter with water and dry it well.

Another effective method is to use a drain cleaner. This substance is chemically active, so you need to prepare first and wear gloves. The procedure can be carried out in a sink, if it is stainless, or in a basin. Add the product to the water and stir well. Place the filter in the container. The reaction will be visible immediately - bubbling fountains will begin to appear.

Leave the element for just a few minutes. This will be enough to get rid of dirt and grease. If you overexpose it, the alkali will damage the metal mesh. This option can be considered a last resort when others do not help. The hood filter can be easily cleaned using a drain cleaner. To implement your plan, you need to place the filter on a baking sheet and fill it with water so that it covers the part.

Then you need to sprinkle the product on the filter and observe the reaction. The mixture will begin to foam and gurgle heavily. This will happen for several minutes. Then you need to drain the water into the toilet and rinse the element with water. In order not to overdo it with the amount of powder, you need to read the instructions on the package.

Another way to get rid of dirt is to use dishwasher detergent. You need to take 1 teaspoon of the product and mix it with 4 glasses of warm water. Use a sponge soaked in liquid to thoroughly rinse the filter. The metal mesh must be wiped lengthwise so that there are no streaks left.

Whatever method the owner of the hood uses, the main thing is to start cleaning as quickly as possible, while the dirt is exposed. The longer the filter is dirty, the more difficult it will be to clean it. If the situation is not critical and there is no serious contamination, then plain water with lemon is perfect.

How to clean the surface of the hood?

This is the easiest step in cleaning the device. The surface of the kitchen hood should be washed with a sponge soaked in a cleaning solution - this can be regular dish soap or anti-grease. Then rinse thoroughly with water and wipe with a dry cotton cloth. Do not use metal scrapers or abrasives - it is unlikely that scratches and abrasions will add charm to your brand new hood, chosen with such care. This is especially true if the device has a decorative plastic cover - scratches appear on it so easily! That is why you need to wash kitchen cabinets and hoods as often as possible, without letting the situation become critical.

The difficulty of caring for the hood is that not only carbon deposits settle on it, but also household dust. If you start cleaning, dense, unpleasant growths appear on the body of the device, which are quite difficult to get rid of.

The built-in hood is less dirty due to the fact that it is hidden in the closet. It will be enough to wipe with a damp cloth to clean the inside, and clean the filters separately.

The fireplace suffers greatly from soot and soot. Depending on the regularity of its use, it is necessary to maintain the appearance of the purifier in proper condition. Detergents and accessories in this case are the same as for built-in appliances.

The most effort is required to care for a ceiling hood - the hardest part is to clean its hood, where dust settles. Once a week it is worth cleaning using antistatic agents that do not harm the material from which the device is made.

Tip: If you are a follower of an ecological lifestyle, you can wash the surface from grease with lemon juice - if the hood in the kitchen is not very dirty. Apply fresh juice to the enamel and wait 5-10 minutes. The acid will dissolve the fat droplets.

How often should you clean the hood filter?

The procedure must be performed based on two factors:

• intensity of device operation;
• availability of free time.

The more often the hood is used, the more often it needs to be washed. The front of its work is also of great importance. In large production facilities, in rooms where there are large crowds of people, in the kitchens of restaurants and cafes, the hood works almost around the clock. Filters clog faster and over time the efficiency of the equipment decreases. If you ignore this point, the hood will one day stop working completely.

Availability of free time also plays a big role. If you have the opportunity and desire, you can clean the filter once a month. Comprehensive cleaning should be carried out at least once a quarter. This involves cleaning the filter, pipe and hood body. The grate is an element that is located in an accessible place, so it can be washed more often. It is enough to periodically pass over it with a damp sponge and there will be much less dirt.

One trick you can use to save time and effort is to use a dishwasher. Then the filter can be cleaned at least every week.

Despite the accessibility and attractiveness of the method, it should be remembered that there should be moderation in everything. Often, manipulating the filter can cause it to wear out faster and will soon have to be replaced with a new one. This can lead to considerable waste, because high-quality hoods have expensive filters installed.

Large enterprises and restaurants keep a special log where they record when the filter and the hood as a whole were last cleaned. This principle of control can also be carried out at home, so as not to overdo it or, conversely, to prevent excessive pollution.

What troubles can a humidifier cause?

But like any equipment, an air mass humidifier needs proper and timely care. When using a humidifier, over time, mold appears in the tank, fungus multiplies, and the device itself becomes covered with scale. This is due to improper use of the device. But timely and regular maintenance of the humidifier eliminates 99.9% of harmful bacteria that settle in the water tank.

The most common mistakes when cleaning the filter

Cleaning the filter is not difficult. But even here you can make fatal mistakes that will lead to replacing it with a new one. Most often, the wrong product is chosen to remove dirt and grease. It could be:

1. If it is not strong enough, then you will have to subject the filter to the procedure several times in a row. This may negatively affect his condition.
2. Overly strong. In this case, the surface may be damaged due to the strong substances in the cleaning product.

Also, the instructions are often not carefully studied and the filter is left in the container with detergent for too long. It is also important to completely dry the structural elements before installing them. Due to ignorance, a filter that cannot be washed can be placed in water. This will immediately ruin it, then replacement cannot be avoided. Therefore, it is important before the procedure to study the instructions for the hood, read about these filters on the Internet, or ask a familiar specialist.

A range hood is an important element in any kitchen. You can't cook your favorite dishes without it. Usually people watch its appearance, forgetting about the most important thing - filters. Without them, the hood is a simple box. You can also clean filters at home. There are many ways to do this using improvised means or using store-bought options.

The former have a gentle effect, are inexpensive and do not require long and complex procedures. The latter are stronger, but also harmful to humans. Therefore, the cleaning process must take place in a safe format: the person must wear gloves and inhale as little unpleasant odor as possible.

If you draw up a schedule, the hood will always be well maintained and will work much longer and more efficiently. Proper care will be an investment in the long-term use of this piece of kitchen appliance.

Mix the chemicals

Take both of your buckets outside along with the rest of your materials. Fill one of the buckets with half a gallon of regular water. Wait until the water reaches room or outside temperature. Fill a glass measuring cup with two cups of hydrochloric acid. Make sure you have a plastic stirrer ready. Slowly add hydrochloric acid to the water, stirring constantly with a plastic stirrer. Never add water to acid as it creates a chemical reaction that produces dangerous fumes and in some cases can cause an explosion.

How to wash a Nera filter

Household vacuum cleaners are equipped with various filters for high-quality filtration of the air coming out after sucking up garbage; there can be from one to three of them.

Also, special garbage bags, an aquafilter and a press in a cyclone act as additional filters.

Regardless of the manufacturer of the vacuum cleaner: Samsung, Lg, Bosch, Philips, Karcher, Dyson or another brand, cleaning the same filters is carried out according to the same protocol. In this article we will tell you how to clean all vacuum cleaner filters.

Any cleaning of the vacuum cleaner is carried out only after disconnecting it from the power supply.

Air filters: should they be changed or cleaned?

Modern vacuum cleaners and air purifiers use several filters at once. The instructions most often require changing them, but is it possible to restore them and save money by buying new ones? It is possible, but not always.

To clean the air from dust, mechanical particles and harmful compounds in household appliances, various filters are used. A set of new filters can cost up to 30% of the cost of a new device - accordingly, the question arises: is it necessary to change them as often as the instructions prescribe? Some are unambiguous, but others can be restored. But first things first.

Cleaning the humidifier depending on its type

Humidifiers operating on different principles are characterized by different types of contamination. Therefore, it is worth distinguishing between the main types of humidifiers and knowing the main possible places where various types of deposits appear.

• So-called “air washers” are combined devices that provide not only humidification, but also air purification in the room. The operation is based on passing the air flow created by a fan through a wet filter. Cleaning an air humidifier of this modification involves treating or replacing the filter and tidying up the water container. Replacing the filter
• Steam humidifiers are characterized by the appearance of scale on the heating element and the walls of the container. The principle of dealing with it is practically no different from cleaning conventional electric kettles.
• Ultrasonic humidifiers are most often subject to the appearance of salt deposits. When cleaning, pay special attention to high-frequency membranes. Plaque in the humidifier

In addition, all humidifiers are characterized by the possibility of water blooming or changes in its properties. Most often, this problem is associated with interruptions in the operation of the device or insufficient water flow. After a few days without movement, the water stagnates, an unpleasant odor appears, and mucus may form. The most basic way to combat this problem is to regularly replace the fluid in the humidifier.

Dirty water container

How to clean the motor and fan

The procedure should be carried out once every two years. Prepare instructions in advance; you will need them so that you can find the necessary parts and understand how they are attached. First remove the filters, then unscrew the bolts and remove the motor and fan. Leave the fan impeller to soak in soapy water for 2 hours and carefully remove the coating from the surface.

Do not wet the motor under any circumstances; simply wipe it with a slightly damp cloth without touching the wires. After removing dust from the engine, lubricate it.

How to clean an air duct

For owners of flow-through hoods, an important question is how to keep the air duct clean, in which grease accumulates during operation. As a result of plaque buildup inside, traction decreases.

Kitchen hood ducts come in two types:

• made of plastic;
• made of aluminum (corrugated).

The plastic ones are easy to disassemble; just wash them with soapy water.

In aluminum air ducts, grease accumulates between the folds, and it is easier to replace the pipe than to clean out dirt from hard-to-reach places. If changing the part is not yet in your plans, then you can use a steam generator. As a last resort, use the “Mole” product, but you need to rinse the kitchen hood element especially carefully.

Attention to the body

First of all, you should keep the outer surfaces of the kitchen hood in order . The housings of such equipment are cleaned using sponges, napkins and soapy water. If metal is used in the design, avoid using cleaning powders, pastes and other abrasives. In terms of composition, it is better to take a neutral cleaning agent - it is both universal and effective. The action of strong acids and alkalis will lead to the formation of a fine network of cracks, stains and scratches, which are subsequently difficult to remove.

The optimal solution is to use gel-like preparations designed for cleaning metal. They carefully clean the surface and form a protective, dust-repellent layer , although the purchase will be more expensive. Similar compositions are produced by the brands Electrolux, Sanita, Indesit. On average, the price is 300 rubles.

After cleaning, all surfaces must be wiped dry. Additional gloss is achieved by polishing, for which it is better to take suede or microfiber. Plastic and enamel coatings on cases are not so capricious, but they also do not like the effects of strong chemicals.

Other recommendations are as follows:

• Wash glass panels using simple products designed for crumpling glass and mirrors. They are easy to spray on the surface and remove with a paper towel or napkin. Stains are removed using microfiber;
• if the case contains elements made of natural wood, wipe off the dust with a dry cloth and periodically treat it with polish or wax.

To reduce all cleaning and maintenance operations to a minimum, when choosing equipment you should pay attention to models with a special protective layer. There are no water stains or drops left on such cases .

The buttons located on the external panel also love to accumulate dust. But getting rid of such deposits is not as easy as it seems. Wipe all controls with a soft cloth pre-treated with detergent. Before any actions, the device must be disconnected from the network.

How to clean buttons

You have to press the buttons on the hood many times during the day, often during the cooking process, so there may be sticky food particles on your hands. As a result, this part of the hood quickly becomes dirty. To remove grease from buttons, use ammonia. Wipe off the dirt with a cotton pad or swab. Also suitable as a cleaner are nail polish remover, anise drops and hydrogen peroxide.