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How to clean a bathroom exhaust fan

Updated . By the OakTend team.

Take the cover off the bathroom fan, clean the dust off the grille and the blades, and check that it still pulls air out of the room.

How often
No agency gives an interval. A yearly cleaning, or whenever the mirror stays fogged long after a shower, keeps it working.
What you need
Step stool, Vacuum with a brush attachment, Damp cloth, Screwdriver, if the cover is screwed on

Why it matters

The EPA says the key to mold control is moisture control, and its first advice for bathrooms is to run the fan or open a window while showering. A fan clogged with dust moves much less air, so the steam stays in the room.

Steps

  1. Turn the fan off. If the switch is shared with a light, also turn off the breaker for that circuit.
  2. Pull the cover down. Most are held by two spring clips you squeeze together; some have a screw.
  3. Wash the cover in warm soapy water and let it dry.
  4. Vacuum the dust off the fan blades and the housing with the brush attachment.
  5. Put the cover back and turn the fan on.
  6. Hold a square of toilet paper up to the grille. It should be pulled against it. If not, the fan or the duct needs attention.

When to call a pro

Call an electrician or HVAC contractor if the fan hums but barely moves air, is loud, or is vented into the attic instead of outside.

Safety

Cut the power before reaching into the housing; the blades and motor are inches from your fingers.

General information, not professional advice. Your equipment's manual comes first when it says something different.

Sources

More kitchen, bath and laundry