There are two main ways you'll know you need to clean your bathroom fan:
- You can see the dust gathering
- Your bathroom is starting to feel stuffy, or your exhaust fan just isn’t sucking air like it used to
If you're noticing either of these things, it’s probably time for a clean. A dirty exhaust fan isn’t just annoying, it stops it from doing it's job properly, increasing the risk of mould through humidity build-up, and shortening the life of the fan too.
It might seem daunting but once you know how, it's actually quite easy. Let’s break down how to clean your exhaust fan step-by-step, without stuffing anything up.
Why You Should Clean It
As well as looking better, cleaning your fan will help to:
- Keep air flowing properly
- Stop mould and mildew from forming
- Stop your fan from getting noisy or failing early
- Improve energy efficiency
Remember, if your fan is choked up with dust, it’s working overtime and that means it’s going to wear out quicker or burn out completely.
How Often Should You Clean It?
Every 6 months is ideal, especially in wet areas like bathrooms and laundries. If your household is dusty or you’ve got pets, you might want to check it more often.
What You’ll Need
- A step ladder
- Damp cloth or microfibre towel
- Small brush or old toothbrush
- Mild dish soap/ washing up liquid
- Vacuum with brush attachment (optional)
- Screwdriver (depends on your fan model)
You might get a little dusty while removing the cover so old clothes are recommended.
Step-by-Step: How to Clean an Exhaust Fan
1. Turn off the power
As always, safety first! Switch the fan off at the wall switch or, just to be safe, isolate the fan at your fuse box. If it's been running, make sure the fan blade is completely stationary and has cooled down before proceeding. This is particularly important if there is an integrated light or heater.
2. Remove the cover
Check for any screws or fastenings around the edge and, if you can't see anything, give it a gentle pull. If it’s clipped in, as most covers are these days, it should come away easily. If not, you might need a screwdriver.
Tip: Some covers are held on with spring clips. Squeeze the sides and pull gently. You may occasionally need to twist the fan grill to get it to pop out.
3. Clean the cover
Take the cover to the sink and wash it in warm soapy water. Let it soak if it’s really dirty. Then rinse and let it dry.
4. Wipe down the fan blades and housing
Use a damp cloth or microfibre towel to wipe the blades, motor area, and inside housing. Be gentle and avoid bending the blades.
Tip: Use a vacuum with a brush attachment to remove excess dust before wiping.
5. Use a brush for hard-to-reach spots
An old toothbrush works great for getting into corners or scrubbing gunk off the fan blades and grille.
6. Let it dry completely
Before you put the cover back on, make sure everything is completely dry, especially the motor area.
7. Reattach the cover
Click or screw the cover back on, then switch the power back on. Turn the fan on and check it's rotating properly and there are no odd noises. If everything looks and sounds okay, you're done.
Tip: Run your hands around all edges of the cover to make sure it is in place all the way around. We've seen plenty of fans not correctly popped back in before.
When to Replace Instead of Clean
If the fan is noisy, doesn’t move air effectively after a clean, or is more than 10 years old, it might be time for a new one.
There are a huge variety of exhaust fans available, most of which benefit from being both energy efficient and far more quiet than older styles. To find out more, discover our exhaust fan collection online.
Final Thoughts
Cleaning your exhaust fan is quick, easy, and will save you time and money in the long run. Give it a wipe every few months and it’ll keep your space fresh and mould free. Don’t wait until it stops working, a bit of maintenance goes a long way!