There are certain things in your house that you don’t really think about or notice until something starts to go wrong. The bathroom fan is often one of those things. You flick it on before you turn on the shower, but you probably don’t give it a second thought. That is, until it starts to sound like a small plane about to take off or you notice mildew growing in your bathroom. Those are signs that it’s time to clean your bathroom fan. It’s a pretty simple process, and you can find everything you need to do it at your local Ace Hardware store.
Ready to clean your bathroom fan? Here’s what you need to do.
Get ready and gather your materials.
Before you start, you should turn off the breaker to prevent electrical shocks. To reach the vent, you’ll want a sturdy step ladder rather than trying to stand on the toilet or the edge of the tub. For actually cleaning the fan, you’ll need an all-purpose household cleaner, a towel, a microfiber cloth, and a sponge. It will also be helpful to have a flashlight and a screwdriver handy.
Start with the exterior.
Before you remove the fan cover, remove as much dust as you can with a disposable electrostatic duster or a vacuum cleaner with a crevice tool. You can then remove the fan cover. Some models have latches, while others you have to remove with a screwdriver. Fill a tub or sink with warm water and cleaning solution and leave the vent cover to soak while you clean the rest of the fan. Let it soak for about ten minutes and then rinse it and place it on a towel to air dry.
Carefully clean the inside of the fan.
Once the interior of the fan is exposed, unplug or disconnect the fan. Even though you turned off the circuit breaker, you still want to be safe. Now it’s time to clean the motor housing and the blades. Remove the fan from its housing if you can, and use a damp sponge or microfiber cloth to gently wipe the dust from the blades and motor. It’s important to use a light touch so you don’t accidentally bend the blades. If you can remove the fan from the ceiling, use your electrostatic duster or vacuum to remove as much dust as you can.
Clean up and reassemble the fan.
Ensure all the interior components are clean and dry, and then put the fan back in the housing and plug it in and replace the cover. Turn the breaker back on and test the fan. Listen for clicking noises. If you hear them, the blades are hitting something, and you need to adjust them. But if everything sounds good, you’re good to go!
