Method 1:Washing the Outside of the Hood
For plastic or vinyl hoods, use an all-purpose cleaner or warm soapy water.
For stainless steel, go with warm soapy water.
For copper, use copper cleaner.
Dry the hood. Wipe it down with a dry, clean cloth or paper towels. Remove all traces of the cleaner. If the hood's material has an obvious grain, wipe with the grain for a more effective clean and polish.
Method 2:Cleaning Underneath the Hood
Wait for the stovetop to cool before proceeding. Keep in mind that you’ll probably have to lean over the stove to reach up and under the range hood. If you boiled water to work the crud loose with steam, remove the pot to a heat-safe surface. Wait for the burner to cool down before moving on.
Again, always double-check the cleaner's recommendations regarding which materials it's safe to use on.
Some cleaners may recommend wiping down immediately. Others may advise letting it sit for a period of time so it can soak into the dirt, grease, and crud.
Wipe again with wet towels. Expect strong cleaners to leave streaks and odors if any traces are left to linger. Once the area is clean, dampen a cloth or paper towels. Wipe the interior again to remove any chemical residue. Then repeat with a dry cloth to dry it.
Repeat frequently. Expect the job to be tougher the longer you wait in between each cleaning. Make washing the hood part of your daily or weekly routine when doing the whole kitchen. If a particular meal used a lot of oil or caused a lot of splatter, clean it up immediately afterward, as soon as the stovetop is safe to work around.
Method 3:Dealing with the Filter
Check it monthly. Clean the hood itself on a daily or weekly basis, but don’t worry about dealing with the filter that often (unless you happen to deep-fry a lot of foods on a regular basis). Inspect it once a month. If it appears stained or splattered, plan on cleaning or replacing it ASAP.
A fastener that you can rotate in and out of position.
A latch that you need to press and lift.
Rim supports that just need to be pushed up and rotated.
Screws.
A ductless range hood means the exhaust fan is recirculating air right back into the kitchen. If the exhaust is being ventilated out of the house through ducts, you shouldn’t need to replace your charcoal filter.
Set the filter on a clean towel or drying rack and allow it to air-dry before reinstalling.