Your bathroom puts up with a lot — steamy showers, plenty of moisture, and those not-so-pleasant smells.
Thankfully, the bathroom exhaust fan whisks away bad odours and keeps the air circulating in your bathroom. It’s the secret to a mould-free space that smells great!
However, your bathroom exhaust fan can’t do the job properly if it’s clogged by dust and grime.
Let’s clean your bathroom fan and get it back in action!
Why Clean a Bathroom Fan | Signs to Clean | How Often to Clean | Before Cleaning | How to Clean in Place | Deep Cleaning | Reassembly | Maintenance Tips
How Do Bathroom Exhaust Fans Work?
Bathroom fans help keep your space fresh and dry. They draw in humid air from the bathroom and push it outside through a vent.
This helps suppress the growth of bacteria, mould, and mildew, which is often caused by excess moisture.
Bathroom exhaust fans also improve air quality by keeping the air circulating and removing odours effectively.
Should You Clean a Bathroom Exhaust Fan?
Absolutely!
Every time you shower, hot steam and moisture saturate the air in your bathroom, which creates a damp environment.
This can cause floating dust and debris to cling to the surfaces of your bathroom exhaust fan.
Hairspray, perfume, and other products used inside the bathroom can also leave tiny airborne particles that might settle inside the exhaust fan.
Over time, this build-up can block airflow, leading to foul smells that linger in your bathroom.
Even worse, all that grime can strain and overheat the fan’s motor, posing a fire risk.
Cleaning your bathroom exhaust fan regularly stops dirt from accumulating. This helps the fan run smoothly, reduces fire hazards, and keeps your bathroom smelling nice.
Signs to Clean the Bathroom Exhaust Fan
If your bathroom exhaust fan needs some freshening up, it’ll tell you! Grab your cleaning supplies if you notice:
- Lingering smells in your bathroom
- Mould and mildew growing faster
- Unusual noise coming from the fan
- Visible dust and grime on the fan cover
All these could mean that your bathroom exhaust fan is clogged with dirt and can’t ventilate properly.
How Often Should You Clean Your Bathroom Exhaust Fan?
If you shower or use your bathroom daily, deep clean the bathroom exhaust fan every 3 to 6 months.
To prevent dirt build-up on bathroom fans, do a quick dust and wipe every month.
For less-used bathrooms (like guest bathrooms), clean the exhaust fan at least once a year.
Before Cleaning Your Bathroom Exhaust Fan
Let’s get you ready to tackle those sticky films of dirt! Gather the necessary supplies and make sure the area is safe for cleaning your bathroom exhaust fan.
What you’ll need
To clean a bathroom fan, you’ll need the following:
- Warm water
- Basin or bucket
- Microfibre cloths
- Sturdy step ladder
- Electrostatic duster
- Dish or laundry soap
- Vacuum cleaner with crevice attachment
Safety reminders
Avoid slipping by making sure that the bathroom floor is dry, especially if your exhaust fan is installed over a shower or tub!
Before you start, turn off the fan and switch off the circuit breaker to cut power completely.
If you’re not sure how to take the bathroom exhaust fan apart, read the owner’s manual for guidance.
Don’t forget to wear gloves and goggles to shield yourself from falling dust and debris — this is a must for ceiling-mounted bathroom fans.
Cleaning the Bathroom Exhaust Fan Without Removing It
Keep your bathroom extractor fan in great shape by dusting and wiping it down monthly — no disassembly needed!
This helps prevent dust from sneaking into and collecting inside the bathroom exhaust fan unit.
To start, climb on a sturdy step ladder to reach the fan.
Remove as much debris as possible from the fan cover. Use a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment or an electrostatic duster for this step.
Pay close attention to the spaces between slats, and get into all corners and edges.
Once you’ve cleared all loose dirt, use a damp cloth to wipe the cover.
Spot-clean any remaining stains with an old toothbrush or any soft-bristle brush dipped in soapy water.
Wipe off any soapy residue with another damp cloth. Finally, dry the cover with a fresh cloth or let it air dry.
Afterwards, you can switch the bathroom fan back on.
Deep Cleaning the Bathroom Exhaust Fan
To clean a dirty bathroom exhaust fan, you’ll need to dismount it from your ceiling or wall.
Avoid dismantling any parts with complex electrical wiring.
Prepare your cleaning solution. Fill a basin or bucket with warm water (up to 50°C), add some dish soap or laundry detergent, and mix well.
Cleaning the bathroom exhaust fan cover
Most bathroom exhaust fan covers are clipped in. These types can be pulled away from the wall easily.
If the vent cover is screwed on, though, you’ll need a screwdriver.
After removing the fan cover, soak it in your cleaning solution for 15-20 minutes to loosen any caked-on grime.
Next, scrub the bathroom exhaust fan cover with a microfibre cloth or nylon brush.
For stubborn stains, apply a bit of dish soap or laundry detergent directly to the affected area. Gently scrub until the stain lifts, then rinse the fan cover well.
Cleaning the bathroom exhaust fan blades
Most bathroom fans use rotating blades, but some have a blower wheel, which is a small drum with curved grooves.
You may be able to remove the fan blades or blower wheel with just a few twists.
However, some are fixed to the motor and must be cleaned in place along with the fan housing.
For removable blades or a blower wheel, soak it in your cleaning solution for up to 20 minutes.
Afterwards, gently scrub the fan blades with a microfibre cloth or a soft sponge. For blower wheels, use an old toothbrush to get into the grooves.
After cleaning, rinse thoroughly and dry completely.
Cleaning the bathroom exhaust fan interior
If your bathroom exhaust fan blades cannot be detached, clean them along with the rest of the interior.
Climb back up onto your step ladder to reach the bathroom exhaust fan.
Use a vacuum cleaner with a slim nozzle or hose attachment to suck up as much dust as possible from the fan’s housing and interior surfaces.
A brush or crevice tool can help remove dust and debris from tight spots — including around the motor and fan blades.
Once all loose dirt is cleared, take a cloth dipped in warm, soapy water. Wipe down the fan housing and other accessible parts.
Be careful not to get the motor or electrical wiring wet!
Gently scrub any stubborn stains, then follow up with a fresh, damp cloth to wipe away any soap residue.
Reassembling the Bathroom Exhaust Fan
Make sure everything is completely dry before reassembling your bathroom exhaust fan.
Let the parts air dry or wipe them with a soft, dry cloth to speed things up.
If you took out the fan blades, reattach them. Next, snap or screw the cover back into place.
Ensure everything is secure, switch the circuit breaker back on, and test the fan. It should run quietly and efficiently.
To check airflow, hold a tissue near the fan — it should stick to the cover if the fan is working correctly.
How To Keep the Bathroom Exhaust Fan Clean
To help maintain your bathroom exhaust fan, keep it running for a few minutes after a shower to reduce lingering moisture and prevent mould growth.
Also, clean your bathroom regularly, including dusting exposed surfaces.
Tackle mould and mildew immediately to keep your space fresh and hygienic.
If upkeep feels overwhelming, consider booking a house cleaning expert to keep your bathroom spotless!
FAQs About Cleaning a Bathroom Exhaust Fan
Have more questions about cleaning your bathroom exhaust fan? We’ve got the answers!
How to clean a bathroom exhaust fan with light?
Before starting, turn off the circuit breaker. Next, remove the light bulbs. Check the owner’s manual for detailed and safe instructions.
Carefully and slowly detach the bathroom exhaust fan cover, then look behind it. If you see any wires connected, unplug them from the fan unit before fully removing the cover.
Clean the fan cover, blades, and housing using a vacuum cleaner and a damp cloth. Do not let the motor and wires get wet.
Let everything dry completely before reassembling.
How to clean a bathroom exhaust fan backdraft damper?
The backdraft damper has flaps that open when air flows out and close when not in use. You can only clean it if it’s accessible.
It could be built into your bathroom exhaust fan. But if it’s installed deeper inside the duct, it’s best left to professionals during your annual duct maintenance.
To clean it yourself, use a soft brush or a vacuum with a crevice tool to clear away dust and debris.
Next, wipe it with a damp, soapy cloth, then follow up with a fresh cloth to remove any residue from your cleaning product.
Let everything dry completely before turning the bathroom exhaust fan back on.
How to clean the bathroom exhaust fan duct?
It’s best to have professional HVAC technicians clean the bathroom exhaust fan duct once a year.
Cleaning the bathroom exhaust fan duct yourself can be risky because of complicated electrical wiring.
It could also be hard to access the duct, which often runs hidden above the ceiling.
