Edit ArticleHow to Clean a Bathroom Fan The bathroom fan is the dustiest area of your bathroom. If it hasn't been cleaned in ages, it's just blowing dirty air around the bathroom. The main use of this feature is to circulate air, not blow it around. If a bathroom fan is dirty, there could be a possibility that it's the key problem to a smelly bathroom. Surprisingly, cleaning a bathroom fan can reduce odors up to 80 percent and when having multiple people using the same bathroom, it needs a fan that works properly. If you're looking how to tackle that dusty, dirty mess, read on. Turn off the power before touching or cleaning. Spread 2-3 sheets of old newspaper underneath the fan, on the floor to catch dust when it comes down. Attain a large enough stepladder and place it underneath where your fan is. Cover your hair with a shower cap (or anything to cover your head) to prevent dust from getting in your hair. Get a bucket of soapy water, a dish rag, a dish towel and a duster.

If your bathroom fan has a cover, remove it by either unscrewing it from the ceiling or sliding it off. Take the duster and swipe the fan vents and area well. Use the dry dish towel to get any excess dust and also to dry the vents and fan area. Put the fan cover back on and make sure to tighten any screws well if your cover requires it.best vacuum cleaning stairs Turn the fan on and smell the difference!best vacuum cleaner to buy in nz It's best to clean the fan before you plan on cleaning the bathroom. best vacuum cleaner brand nzIt saves time, and you also don't want to clean your bathroom again.good vacuum cleaner brands in malaysia

Make sure the fan is off when you are cleaning it. You do not want to electrocute yourself. If it automatically turns on when you switch on the light, you can usually turn it off by removing the cover of the fan and unplugging a fuse cord, which will turn the fan off until you plug it back in. What to do: First flip the circuit breaker. Then remove the cover and soak it in warm water and dish soap. best way to clean white lacquer furnitureUse the vacuum’s nozzle attachment to get gunk off the fan blades; what is the best cylinder vacuum cleaner 2013wipe with a damp cloth. Remove dust from the motor and other nooks and crannies with a stiff, clean paintbrush, and suck up the debris with a vacuum. When it’s completely dry, replace the cover.Why: While it helps reduce mold and mildew, the fan also inhales a smorgasbord of airborne particles, which can linger on the blades and the vent.

Best practices: Put the fan on a switch timer (an easy job for a handyman), and run it during every shower and for 30 minutes afterward to keep moisture (and energy use) in check.And for an overall best practice? Whenever you clean the bathroom, whether deeply or quickly, dry all surfaces well afterward. Note: If your bathroom has an exterior window, you might not have a bathroom exhaust fan. If your bathroom doesn’t have an exhaust fan OR a window, it’s a good idea to contact a professional to assess the risk of mold in your bathroom. To learn more about mold testing and removal, read this guide by Angie's List. Turn off all of the power to your bathroom. You can do this at your main panel. If you’re not familiar with your main panel, get to know this vital system now. Tip: If you’re just looking for a quick fix, blow your vent with canned air to remove visible dust. This won’t clean everything, but it’s better than doing nothing Locate your bathroom exhaust fan.

It’s typically going to be on your ceiling or high up on a wall. Using your screwdriver, loosen the screws holding the vent cover in place. Remove the cover carefully. Locate the exhaust fan blade. If your unit has additional screws holding the fan in place, remove them now. If possible, you want to remove your fan blade because it’s easier to clean that way. Don’t misplace any of the screws – you’re going to need them to put the exhaust fan back together! Clean the cover and the fan blade. To clean them, use mild soap and warm water. Carefully wipe away any dirt or debris so that it doesn’t circulate around your bathroom when the fan is on. Clean both sides of the blades and both sides of the vent cover. Let your items fully dry before you put them back into your wall or ceiling.Take a quick look to assess where your vent is taking the moist air. It should either lead outside or to a part of the house that is close to an exterior vent (such as an attic ridge vent or a soffit vent).

If your air is recirculating back into your bathroom or being sent to a place with poor ventilation, call a professional to assess the problem. Take our 60 second Home Quiz to unlock custom tips and local offers! Which of these do you have in your house? (Please select all that apply) What else do you take care of? Does your home have a...? What kind of tips do you want for your home? Sign up below to see your custom tips.It’s very important to have an exhaust fan that’s vented to the outside in every bathroom in your home, and to run it whenever you shower or bathe and for 15-20 minutes afterward to remove excess moisture that can cause mold and mildew to form. An average sized bathroom vent fan that’s used one hour a day will exhaust over 2,000,000 cubic feet of air a year, or the equivalent of the air inside 1,000 homes. As air is drawn through the fan, dust builds up on the grille cover and the fan motor over time. Cleaning the cover and motor housing every six months to one year will remove most of the accumulated dust.

Here’s how to clean your vent fan. To clean a bathroom vent fan: Turn the fan off at the switch or circuit breaker. Remove the cover by pulling down until the cover is several inches from the ceiling. Press the spring loaded wire clips, found on two sides of the cover, together then remove the clips from the slots in the fan housing. Place the fan cover on a towel and use a vacuum cleaner equipped with a bristle brush dusting attachment to clean the cover and grille thoroughly both inside and out. Use the dusting attachment on the vacuum to clean inside the fan housing and around the motor. For hard to reach spots, use a crevice tool on the vacuum. Reinstall the fan cover by press the clips on the fan cover together, and slip them over the slots in the fan housing. Finally, push the fan cover up until it seats against the ceiling. How to Maintain a Bathroom Vent Fan (video) Bathroom Ventilation Fan Cleaning Tips (video) How to Replace a Bathroom Exhaust Vent Fan (video)