Extractor fans are a life-saver when it comes to removing unpleasant kitchen odours, but the grease-sucking machines can be tough to clean – but cleaning fans have shared a 10-minute hack
The often overlooked extractor fan – crucial for banishing those stubborn cooking smells from kitchens – particularly if you’re living in a cosy open plan space, needs regular TLC to keep performing at its best.
These electronic fans, also known as cooker hoods, are designed not just to remove odours but to tackle grease and steam too. However, neglect them and soon enough, unpleasant odours may linger and condensation could become an unwelcome guest in your kitchen.
Due to their design that sucks up oil and fat, grime can quickly accumulate, making the task of cleaning them daunting – even more so when faced with models that feature teeny ventilation holes.
But there is hope for those who dread this particular clean-up chore. A clever trick has been circulating among cleaning enthusiasts, dramatically simplifying the process.
Over on the Mrs Hinch Cleaning Tips and Tricks Facebook page, a user seeking advice for her grimy ventilation hood posted: “What’s the best way to clean these extractor fan vents, please? Just moved into our new house and I can’t seem to get the grease out.”
Social media users were quick to chip in with their secret weapon – a 40p hack involving a cleaner called Elbow Grease. One social media user raved: “I sprayed the Elbow Grease degreaser over mine and left for about 10 minutes then just used a non-scratch sponge and they came up beautifully. Made the mistake of putting mine in the dishwasher last time and whilst they came up very clean, they are now tarnished.”
Another chimed in: “Elbow Grease, spray both sides and leave for five to 10 minutes, then go in with hot soapy water.” Meanwhile, a third person advised: “Elbow Grease. Spray on overnight for better results, or you can just do 10 minutes if you want and then wash them out with hot water. Comes right out and looks brand new.”
Sharing their cleaning win complete with before and after snaps, another person shared: “I used Elbow Grease and it was amazing. This was a post-tenant house clean and I would have been lost without it. I sprayed them, left them for 10 minutes and then just used a dish brush on them in hot water.
“But honestly, I could just wipe the grease away with my finger this is the best thing I have used in ages. It worked a treat on the extractor hood and the rest of the kitchen. I’ve stocked up.”
For those keen to get their hands on this miracle product, Elbow Grease is currently a steal at just 37p on Amazon, slashed from the usual 99p price tag.
