Banish extractor fan grease in 10 minutes with 1 kitchen item that's not vinegar or baking soda

Extractor fans are a kitchen essential, but many homeowners overlook the fact that they can become breeding grounds for bacteria, grease, and food particles . These handy devices feature filters - fine mesh grates visible on the underside of the cooker hood - designed to absorb smoke and steam from cooking.

However, if these vital cooker hood filters aren't regularly cleaned, they can hinder the efficiency of the extractor fan. Nick Small, the appliance guru at AO, has shared his tips on keeping extractor fans in top shape . He suggested: "Your cooker hood catches all the smoke and steam from preparing your food, but did you know you could open it?

"Ensure you are cleaning this around every three months as it could be full of grease and grime making it not only dirty but less effective. Most filters you can put in the dishwasher so check the manufacturer manual to see if they are dishwasher safe. If not, let the filter soak in hot soapy water for at least 10 minutes then scrub with a brush.", reports the Express .

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Keith Ford, a cleaning expert from Crystal Oven Cleaning, also recommends using washing-up liquid for the task as it's designed to break down and remove grease and other residues that can accumulate in fans.

While he uses the same method as Nick, he suggests letting the filters sit in the soapy water for 15 minutes or longer if necessary.

Only when the filter is dry should you place it back in the extractor hood, and you will have a cleaner and better-ventilated kitchen.

To avoid grease buildup in your cooking fans in the future, consider buying a splatter guard.

This will also help if you fry your food often as fried foods are the most common cause of extractor fan grease.

Alternatively, households can use a paper towel or clean cloth to wipe down the grease filters each time they use the hob to keep them clean.