Copper hood vents make a beautiful addition to any kitchen and are the most popular choice among those performing home improvements or building a new house. However, just like anything else, these vents require maintenance and need to be cleaned regularly. After all, their main function is to catch dirt, grease, smoke, and gases put off by food during the cooking process.
Copper has a gorgeous coloring and over time, its surface can become dull and lackluster from grease and cooking oils. Even if you have a stainless steel range hood, it will still require regular cleaning in order to maintain its beauty. There are ways to naturally keep your kitchen range hood looking squeaky clean and this guide is going to detail exactly what you need and how to utilize the materials.
Supply List
Chances are, you will have most of these items in your pantry as it is, but if you are lacking an ingredient, you can find it at your local grocery store.
- White vinegar
- Water
- Nonabrasive scrubbing pad
- Old rags/cloths
- White flour
- Lemon juice
- Plain salt
- Glass bowl
- Bee or carnauba wax
Getting Started
The first order of business is to mix together balanced parts of the white vinegar and water in the glass bowl. Then dip the nonabrasive scrubbing pad into the vinegar water and begin rubbing it over the copper range hood. This will work up any grit, grime, and grease from the surface. Once finished, wipe the hood down with the old cloths.
Next, place some white flour into the bowl of vinegar water and allow it to sit for a moment so a thick paste can form. Apply the paste to the copper range hood with a clean cloth and rub away all of the discoloration. If you must, carefully use the scrubbing pad
Now, add about a quarter of a cup of lemon juice into the vinegar and flour paste mixture and mix in a few pinches of plain salt to create another paste. This mixture will help loft off any stubborn stains that are not going away with the aforementioned methods.
Lastly, put the wax of your choice onto a clean washcloth or rag and begin to evenly rub it into the range hood and then buff the surface with a new cloth. By doing this, you are protecting the copper from grease and smoke. Repeat this entire process every couple of months.
Did you know that if you are experiencing lime scale on any of your other copper appliances or pots that you can remove these stains using the method discussed above? Typically, when a homeowner opts for a copper ventilation hood, they more than likely have a copper plated sink to match. When something like a sink is exposed to water, lime can develop.
In order to tackle this problem all you need:
- Knife
- Lemon
- Table salt
- Baking soda
- White Vinegar
- Clean cloth or rag
To get started, cut a lemon in half and then sprinkle some table salt on the inside of one of the halves. Rub the afflicted copper with the lemon and salt, and then rinse the area clean with warm water. Next, just as you did for the ventilation hood, mix up a paste of baking soda and vinegar. Rub the paste on any dull spots that are coated with lime scale on your copper sink or cooking pots.
If you need to, use nonabrasive pad, but scrub gently. You can allow the paste to sit for a few minutes until the lime begins to fade away. Make sure to wipe the area clean with a rag and you should be left with a sparkling copper finish.