This $4 natural pantry staple easily cuts through stubborn kitchen hood grease – cleaning experts reveal the dangerous hazard it will stave off

Grease is impossible to avoid in a kitchen, especially on range hoods directly over the stove. That’s why regular cleaning is so important.

The last thing you want to do, however, is coat an appliance so close to your food with toxic chemicals, which is why cleaning experts suggest using the common pantry staple baking soda to tackle tough grease build-up instead and stave off the risk of a kitchen fire.

Here, they explain how to clean a range hood with this cheap pantry alternative, and why it’s better than a chemical degreaser.

How to clean hood grease with baking soda

Understanding how often to clean a kitchen and your range hood is fundamental to preventing bad odors and limiting a common household fire risk – and using non-toxic cleaning products helps with this, says Andrii Gurskyi, cleaning expert from HomeClean.

He explains, ‘A clean range hood will not only keep your kitchen smelling fresh, but it will also help to prolong the life of the fan and prevent it from becoming clogged or damaged. Grease buildup can also create a fire hazard, so it's important to keep the fan clean to minimize the risk of fire.

‘It is recommended to clean your kitchen range hood and extractor at least once every three months, or more frequently if you use your kitchen frequently for cooking.’

Cleaning with baking soda, such as the Arm & Hammer Pure Baking Soda, which comes in at under $4 for a four-pound box at Walmart, is one of the best first steps to creating a non-toxic home.

Scott Schrader, cleaning expert at CottageCare, explains, ‘You simply sprinkle this versatile option on greasy messes, let it stay for a few minutes, and scrub it away with a damp cloth or sponge. It absorbs grease and works as a deodorizer.’

Baking soda is so effective when cleaning kitchen grease because, as Tim Conn, president and founder of Image One USA, explains, ‘Baking soda’s mildly abrasive texture and alkaline properties make it excellent for breaking down grease without causing damage to surfaces. It's often overlooked in favor of cleaning with vinegar.’

Unlike vinegar, baking soda doesn’t have a strong offensive odor, making it the perfect alternative to banish bad kitchen smells.

To use it on your kitchen extractor hood ideas, Tim continues, ‘To use it, sprinkle a generous amount directly onto the range hood and the filters (they are often easy to remove), and then spray with a small amount of warm water to form a paste. Let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes before scrubbing with a sponge or cloth. Baking soda lifts grease and grime without the need for harsh chemicals.’

For vertical surfaces, you can make the cleaning paste first by adding water, a drop at a time, to the baking soda, and then using a scrubbing brush, such as the Everspring Scrub Brush from Target, to remove grease. For stainless steel surfaces that may scratch, opt for a gentler applicator, such as a Scrub Daddy Sponge, also at Target, softened with warm water.

Hood cleaning essentials

Meet the experts

Tim Conn

Tim started cleaning at just 14 years old, when he set up a janitorial company for a family-owned commercial office building, giving him over 35 years of experience in the janitorial industry.

Scott Schrader

Scott is a cleaning expert at CottageCare, which is a leading home cleaning company with over 41 locations nationwide. He's a big believer in using eco-friendly cleaning solutions like baking soda.

Baking soda isn’t the only pantry staple you can scrub your home with. There are also several things you can clean with olive oil, and even things you can clean with toothpaste if you feel like raiding your bathroom cabinets, too.