How To Clean a Bathroom Exhaust Vent Fan

Bathroom exhaust vent fans remove excess moisture and prevent mold growth, maintaining a healthy home environment. However, it’s easy to overlook these hardworking appliances during spring cleaning. When dust and debris accumulate, it reduces a bathroom exhaust vent fan’s efficiency and can lead to mechanical issues.

Here’s how to clean your bathroom exhaust vent fan to function at the highest level and protect your home from moisture-related problems.

Why Clean Your Bathroom Exhaust Fan?

If used for an hour daily, an average-sized bathroom vent fan will exhaust over two million cubic feet of air annually—equivalent to a thousand homes. As air passes through the fan, dust builds on the fan motor and grill cover. Regular cleaning, ideally every 6 to 12 months, keeps the fan running smoothly.

A clean bathroom fan removes moisture and odors more effectively than a dirty or dusty fan. This removal helps prevent mold growth and other moisture-related issues that can damage your bathroom’s painted walls and ceiling and harm your family’s health.

Supplies Needed for Cleaning

Before beginning the cleaning process, gather the following supplies:

• A step stool or ladder (if needed to reach the fan)
• A screwdriver (if necessary for cover removal)
• A replacement vent cover (if the current one is damaged)
• A vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment
• A damp cloth or sponge
• Mild detergent
• A small paintbrush (optional)

Steps To Clean Your Bathroom Exhaust Fan

Follow these detailed steps to clean your bathroom fan safely and effectively.

Preparing for Cleaning

Electricity powers your fan, and you must be careful anytime you’re around electricity. To keep safe while cleaning your bathroom exhaust fan, locate the wall switch controlling the vent fan and turn it off. For added safety, turn off the circuit breaker that runs the vent fan. Typically, you’ll find the circuit breaker box in the basement, garage, or utility room.

Then, set up a step stool or ladder to reach the fan comfortably. Turning the fan off completely prevents someone from turning it on while you’re cleaning and creates a safe work environment that helps you avoid electrical hazards.

Removing the Vent Cover

Before cleaning inside, you’ll need to remove the vent cover. You’ll likely have to climb a ladder, so you might want to ask someone to hold it steady while you’re working.

Once up on the ladder or step stool, locate the spring-loaded clips on the cover’s side. Squeeze them together to retract them from the slots in the housing. Gently pull down on the cover until it detaches from the housing. If you live in an older home, the cover might have screws that you’ll need to unscrew to get the cover off.

Put the cover on a soft surface like a towel to avoid damage during cleaning. The cover could be fragile, causing it to shatter if you drop it on a hard surface like bathroom tile.

Cleaning the Fan Housing and Motor

With the vent cover removed, now you’ll have access to the fan housing and motor. 

Use the vacuum’s crevice tool and brush attachment to clean the fan’s interior. Carefully vacuum all surfaces around the motor to remove built-up dust. Even if invisible to the naked eye, dust and dirt are likely there. For tight spaces, gently dislodge debris with a small paintbrush if needed. To prevent damage, avoid direct contact with the motor. 

Cleaning the Vent Cover

Once you’ve removed the cover, use a vacuum brush attachment to clean the entire cover. For stubborn dirt, which can build up if somebody hasn’t cleaned it in a while, wipe the cover with a damp cloth and mild detergent. Avoid using abrasive cleaners that could scratch the cover’s surface. Rinse the cover completely and dry it thoroughly before reinstallation.

If the cover has any bent, broken, or missing clips, now is a good time to replace it with a new, specifically designed model for your fan.

Reinstalling the Vent Cover

Once cleaning is complete, it’s time to put everything back together. Squeeze the cover’s clips together and insert them into the housing slots. Release the clips and push up on the cover until it’s flush with the ceiling and secure. Restore power to the fan and test its operation to know it’s working correctly.

Tips for Ideal Fan Performance

Continued exhaust fan maintenance guarantees its lifelong performance and prevents costly repairs in a few years.

To keep the bathroom exhaust fan running efficiently after the initial cleaning, put a reminder on the calendar to clean it every 6 to 12 months. Also, if your current fan is old or noisy, installing a quiet, high-efficiency replacement might save you money and give you a more relaxing shower. Run the fan for at least 20 minutes after showering to effectively remove excess moisture.

Check the fan’s ducts and outdoor vents, keeping them clear from obstructions. To remove stubborn debris, hire a professional to clean the ducts every 2 to 3 years.

When To Call a Professional

While cleaning a bathroom exhaust fan is typically an easy do-it-yourself job, certain circumstances may require hiring a pro. 

If you suspect your home has damaged or clogged ducts, professionals have specialized tools to clear blockages and reroute ducts if needed. Installers can replace just the housing if it’s damaged, or they might have to replace the entire assembly. And you’ll need a technician to properly test and replace components for motor failure or loud noises. 

If the fan doesn’t get any power or won’t turn on, an electrician can diagnose and fix possible wiring problems. Very few pros recommend a do-it-yourself job when it involves electricity.

Call a pro if any of these issues arise or if the cleaning process reveals more significant problems. Rather than risk further damage or personal injury, hire a trained specialist to address these problems early.

So, Is Cleaning a Bathroom Vent Fan Necessary?

Regularly cleaning your bathroom exhaust fan keeps it operating at peak performance and contributes to healthier air quality by removing moisture and preventing mold growth. It’s an investment in the longevity of your bathroom. After cleaning your bathroom fan, you can feel at ease about every shower, knowing it’s safe and easier to breathe in your home.