How to Clean Range Hood Filters Using Dish Soap

Pull out your range hood filter and look at it. Really look at it. See that brown, sticky coating? That’s months or years of grease buildup. It’s gross.

Every time you cook, grease particles float up and get trapped in that filter. Layer after layer builds up until the filter is so clogged it barely works anymore. Your kitchen stays greasy and smoky because the hood can’t do its job.

You probably avoid cleaning it because it seems impossible. How do you remove grease that thick? The answer is simpler than you think: dish soap and hot water.

Why Dish Soap Works on Grease

Dish soap is literally designed to remove grease from dishes. It works just as well on range hood filters—actually, it works better because you can soak the filters.

How dish soap breaks down grease:

• Soap molecules have two ends
• One end sticks to grease
• The other end sticks to water
• When you rinse, the grease washes away with the water

Why dish soap beats other cleaners:

• Specifically formulated for grease
• Safe and non-toxic
• You already have it
• Costs pennies
• No harsh fumes
• Won’t damage the filter

Commercial degreasers work too, but they’re expensive, full of chemicals, and not necessary. Dish soap does the job perfectly.

What You Need

Essential supplies:

• Dish soap (Dawn works best for heavy grease)
• Hot water (the hotter the better)
• Large sink, tub, or basin
• Scrub brush or old toothbrush
• Towels for drying

Optional but helpful:

• Baking soda
• White vinegar
• Degreasing dish soap
• Rubber gloves

What NOT to use:

• Bleach (damages metal)
• Ammonia-based cleaners
• Abrasive scrubbers (scratch the filter)
• Your dishwasher (see why below)

That’s it. Simple supplies you probably already have.

Step-by-Step: The Soaking Method

This is the easiest and most effective method. The hot water and soap do most of the work while you do other things.

Step 1: Remove the filters (2 minutes)

Turn off your range hood. Look underneath—most filters slide out or have a simple clip or latch.

Pull the filter straight down or toward you. If it’s stuck, look for the release mechanism. Check your owner’s manual if you can’t figure it out.

Some hoods have multiple filters. Remove them all.

Step 2: Prepare the soaking solution (2 minutes)

Plug your sink or fill a large basin with the hottest water you can get. If your filter is too big for the sink, use the bathtub.

Add dish soap—lots of it. Use about 1/4 cup for a sink full of water. More won’t hurt. You want it nice and sudsy.

For extra power, add 1/4 cup of baking soda. It boosts the cleaning action and helps break down stubborn grease.

Step 3: Submerge the filters (30 seconds)

Place the filters in the soapy water. Make sure they’re completely covered. If they float, weight them down with something.

You should see the water start turning brown immediately. That’s the grease releasing. It’s satisfying and disgusting at the same time.

Step 4: Let them soak (15-30 minutes)

This is the magic step. Just let them sit. The hot soapy water softens the grease and breaks it down.

For light grease buildup: 15 minutes is enough For medium buildup: 30 minutes For heavy buildup (hasn’t been cleaned in years): 45-60 minutes

While they soak, you can clean other parts of the kitchen. The filters are doing their own thing.

Step 5: Scrub the filters (5-10 minutes)

After soaking, take a scrub brush and gently scrub both sides of the filter. The grease should come off easily now.

Pay attention to:

• The corners and edges
• Between the mesh or baffles
• Any especially greasy spots

Use an old toothbrush for tight spaces and corners. It gets into areas a regular brush can’t reach.

Step 6: Rinse thoroughly (2 minutes)

Rinse the filters under hot running water. Make sure you get all the soap off.

Hold them up to the light. You should be able to see through the mesh clearly. If you can’t, there’s still grease or soap residue.

Keep rinsing until the water runs clear and the filter looks clean.

Step 7: Dry completely (10-30 minutes)

Shake off excess water. Set the filters on a clean towel to air dry.

Don’t put them back wet. Water can drip into your range hood and cause problems. Let them dry completely—at least 30 minutes.

You can speed this up by patting them dry with towels or setting them in the sun.

Step 8: Reinstall the filters

Once dry, slide them back into place. Make sure they’re secure and properly positioned.

Turn on the hood to make sure everything works correctly.

Total active time: about 15 minutes. Total time including soaking: 30-60 minutes.

The Boiling Method for Extra-Greasy Filters

If your filters haven’t been cleaned in years and are absolutely caked with grease, try this method. It’s more work but handles the toughest buildup.

What you need:

• Large pot (big enough to fit the filter)
• Water
• 1/2 cup baking soda
• 1/4 cup dish soap
• Stove

The process:

Step 1: Fill the pot with water and bring to a boil

Step 2: Add the baking soda slowly (it will fizz up)

Step 3: Add dish soap

Step 4: Carefully place the filter in the boiling water

Step 5: Boil for 5-10 minutes

Step 6: Remove carefully with tongs (it’s very hot!)

Step 7: Let cool slightly, then scrub

Step 8: Rinse well and dry

The boiling water melts even the most stubborn grease. You’ll see it floating on the surface of the water—it’s gross but effective.

Warning: Only do this with metal filters. Never boil charcoal or paper filters.

The Degreasing Spray Method

Don’t have time to soak? This quick method works in about 15 minutes.

What you need:

• Spray bottle
• Dish soap
• Hot water
• Scrub brush

The process:

Step 1: Mix 1/4 cup dish soap with 2 cups hot water in spray bottle

Step 2: Spray the filter heavily on both sides

Step 3: Let sit for 5-10 minutes

Step 4: Scrub with brush

Step 5: Rinse under hot water

Step 6: Repeat if necessary

Step 7: Dry completely

This works for light to medium grease. For heavy buildup, soaking is still better.

Adding Vinegar for Extra Power

Combining dish soap with vinegar creates a powerful degreasing team.

Method 1: Soak with vinegar

• Fill sink with hot water
• Add 1/4 cup dish soap
• Add 1 cup white vinegar
• Soak filters for 30 minutes
• Scrub and rinse

Method 2: Vinegar spray

• After scrubbing with soap
• Spray filters with straight vinegar
• Let sit 5 minutes
• Rinse thoroughly

Method 3: Baking soda + vinegar combo

• Sprinkle baking soda on filter
• Spray with vinegar (it will fizz)
• Let sit 10 minutes
• Scrub and rinse

The vinegar helps dissolve mineral deposits and cuts through grease. Plus it deodorizes.

Can You Put Filters in the Dishwasher?

Short answer: sometimes, but probably shouldn’t.

Why dishwashers aren’t ideal:

• Don’t get hot enough to remove heavy grease
• Grease can clog your dishwasher
• Can damage some filter types
• Takes up entire dishwasher for one item

When dishwasher might work:

• Filters are only lightly dirty
• You clean them monthly
• Your dishwasher has a heavy-duty cycle
• Manufacturer says it’s okay

Best practice:

• Soak in sink with dish soap first
• Remove most grease manually
• Then run through dishwasher if needed
• But honestly, soaking works better

Hand washing with dish soap gives you more control and better results.

Cleaning Different Types of Filters

Mesh/screen filters:

• Most common type
• Can handle aggressive scrubbing
• Soak 30 minutes minimum
• Use brush to clean mesh openings

Baffle filters:

• Metal with angled slots
• Very effective at catching grease
• Easier to clean than mesh
• Soak and rinse mostly does the job

Charcoal filters:

• CANNOT be washed
• Are not reusable
• Must be replaced every 3-6 months
• Don’t try to clean them—it doesn’t work

Aluminum filters:

• Can discolor in dishwasher
• Best cleaned by hand
• Don’t use abrasive scrubbers
• May never look perfectly shiny again (that’s okay)

Stainless steel filters:

• Most durable
• Can handle hot water and scrubbing
• Won’t discolor
• Easiest to maintain

Always check your owner’s manual to confirm what type you have.

How Often to Clean Range Hood Filters

Light cooking (2-3 times per week):

• Clean filters every 3 months
• Quick wipe monthly

Moderate cooking (daily):

• Clean filters every 1-2 months
• Wipe down monthly

Heavy cooking (lots of frying, grilling):

• Clean filters monthly
• Quick wipe every 2 weeks

Signs it’s time to clean:

• Filter looks visibly greasy or brown
• Grease drips from the filter
• Range hood isn’t pulling smoke effectively
• You can’t see through mesh filters
• Hood is louder than usual (airflow restricted)

Regular cleaning is easier than dealing with years of buildup. Monthly cleaning takes 20 minutes. Yearly cleaning takes hours.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake 1: Using cold water

Cold water doesn’t dissolve grease well. Always use the hottest water possible. Heat is your friend.

Mistake 2: Not soaking long enough

People soak for 5 minutes and wonder why it doesn’t work. Give it at least 15-30 minutes. Be patient.

Mistake 3: Scrubbing too hard

Let the soap do the work. Aggressive scrubbing can damage the filter without removing more grease.

Mistake 4: Not rinsing thoroughly

Soap residue attracts dirt and grease. Rinse until water runs completely clear.

Mistake 5: Putting wet filters back

Water can damage the range hood motor. Always dry completely before reinstalling.

Mistake 6: Forgetting to clean the hood itself

The inside of the hood gets just as greasy. Wipe it down while the filters are soaking.

Cleaning the Rest of Your Range Hood

While the filters are soaking, clean the rest of the range hood. It’s all greasy too.

Inside the hood:

• Wipe with dish soap and hot water
• Use degreasing wipes for convenience
• Get into corners and crevices
• Don’t get water in the fan motor

Outside surface:

• Wipe with soapy cloth
• For stainless steel, wipe with the grain
• Dry immediately to prevent water spots

Control buttons:

• Wipe carefully with damp cloth
• Don’t let water seep inside
• Dry immediately

Light cover:

• Remove if possible
• Wash with soapy water
• Dry before replacing

Fan blades (if accessible):

• Wipe carefully with damp cloth
• Don’t spray directly with water
• Turn off power first

A fully clean range hood works better and looks great.

Preventing Heavy Grease Buildup

Use your range hood every time you cook:

• Even for simple meals
• Especially when frying
• Reduces grease in the air
• Less settles on surfaces

Run it longer:

• Turn it on before you start cooking
• Leave it running 5 minutes after finishing
• Captures lingering grease particles

Use the right speed:

• Higher speeds for frying and high-heat cooking
• Lower speeds for simmering
• Adjusting fan speed helps efficiency

Wipe filters monthly:

• Quick wipe with degreasing wipe
• Takes 30 seconds
• Prevents heavy buildup
• Makes deep cleaning easier

Cover pans when possible:

• Reduces grease spatters
• Less grease escapes into air
• Filters stay cleaner longer

The Bottom Line

Cleaning range hood filters isn’t the nightmare you think it is. Dish soap and hot water handle even the worst grease buildup.

The simple method:

1. Remove filters
2. Soak in hot soapy water for 30 minutes
3. Scrub gently
4. Rinse thoroughly
5. Dry completely
6. Reinstall

What you need:

• Dish soap
• Hot water
• Scrub brush
• Time to let it soak

How long it takes:

• Active time: 15 minutes
• Total time with soaking: 30-60 minutes

How often to do it:

• Light use: every 3 months
• Heavy use: monthly
• Prevents major buildup

Why it works:

• Hot water softens grease
• Dish soap breaks it down
• Soaking does most of the work
• You barely have to scrub

What you get:

• Clean, effective filters
• Better air quality in kitchen
• Range hood that actually works
• Kitchen that doesn’t smell like old grease

The secret:

• Hot water (as hot as possible)
• Enough dish soap (don’t be stingy)
• Long enough soak (at least 30 minutes)
• Thorough rinse (no soap residue)

Do it today:

• Pull out your filters right now
• Fill the sink with hot soapy water
• Drop them in and set a timer
• In 30 minutes, scrub and rinse
• See how easy it actually is

Once you realize how simple this is, you’ll clean your filters regularly. A clean range hood makes your entire kitchen cleaner and more pleasant.

Stop avoiding it. Grab the dish soap and get started. Your filters will be clean in less time than it took to read this article.