Is Cleaning a Hood Vent Really That Easy? Short Answer: No. And If You’ve Done It, You Know Why.

Hood Vent Cleaning- Not as easy as you think.

Let’s talk about one of the most misunderstood services in the cleaning world: hood vent cleaning.

You’ll find articles online that make it sound like all you have to do is:

🔌 Turn off the power

🧼 Soak the filters

🧽 Wipe it down

⚙️ Put it back together

And voilà — a clean, safe kitchen.

But if you’ve ever cleaned a real commercial kitchen hood, you know it’s not even close to that simple.

Why Hood Cleaning Isn’t a DIY Job

The truth is, hood cleaning done right is a specialized service that requires:

• The right chemicals

• High-heat degreasing

• Specialized tools and sprayers

• Containment procedures

• And most of all — experience

That “simple” cleaning process?That’s maintenance-level work — not what’s needed to keep a system safe, fire code compliant, and fully operational.

Here’s What They Don’t Tell You:

🔥 1. Grease Doesn’t Come Off Easy

Once grease builds up inside a hood, hot soapy water isn’t cutting it.You need degreasers strong enough to break it down — often paired with steam, scrapers, and hot water systems under pressure.

🧯 2. Fire Risk Is Real

Grease buildup in hood systems is one of the top causes of kitchen fires.If you don’t clean the full ductwork and fan assembly — you’re not just leaving a mess…You’re leaving a bomb.

🧼 3. You Have to Clean More Than the Hood

A proper job includes:

• Hood canopy

• Grease trays

• Ductwork

• Fan blades

• Roof fan unit

• Filters

• Drip lines

Miss one section, and the grease finds its way back. Every. Single. Time.

📸 4. You’re on Camera Now

Most commercial clients now want before-and-after photos to prove work was done right.

You can’t just surface wipe and bounce — they’ll see it. And they’ll call you out.

👷 5. Slippery Floors + Heavy Equipment = Safety Risks

Hood cleanings often happen at night, after the kitchen closes.That means wet floors, tight spaces, hot water systems, and heavy tools — not to mention chemical exposure.

It’s a slip-and-fall lawsuit waiting to happen if you don’t have safety protocols dialed in.

So, No. It’s Not “Easy.” It’s Professional Work.

If you’re in the pressure washing or soft wash business, don’t fall for the trap of thinking hood cleaning is just another up-sell.

It’s a specialty service, and one that requires real training, safety gear, fire safety knowledge, and often, NFPA 96 compliance.

But done right? It’s also one of the most profitable verticals in the cleaning industry.

Learn the Right Way — At the Panhandle Pressure Washing Expo

This is exactly the kind of real-world conversation we’re having at the Panhandle Expo.

Come learn from the pros who’ve built 6- and 7-figure businesses by mastering high-risk, high-reward services like:

✅ Kitchen exhaust cleaning

✅ Grease trap and hood vent safety

✅ NFPA code and local regulations

✅ Job site containment and compliance

✅ Proper chemical use and equipment setups

🎟️ Register for the Panhandle Pressure Washing ExpoDon’t just clean — build a business the right way.

👉 Secure Your Spot Now

By Trudi Weickum | Industry Educator | Panhandle Pressure Washing Expo