The Easiest Way To Clean Your Bathroom Fan

There are just some chores nearly everybody avoids because of how unpleasant they can be. But sooner or later, there comes a day when we must face one of these dreadful tasks, and nothing says dread like accidentally getting a glimpse of your grimy and grungy bathroom fan. And that's when we ask ourselves: How could it have gotten so dirty? 

Did you know that the bathroom fan is our best tool for keeping away mold, moisture, and those strange scents of the bathroom? When it works effectively, it keeps moisture (and all the unpleasant things can accompany large amounts of it) out of our bathroom. A great way to test to see if your fan is working properly is the toilet paper test: Turn on your fan, then take a piece of toilet paper and hold it up flat to the vent. If the fan sucks it up and it stays on the vent, all is well. But if it falls down, your fan may not be working properly, and it could be time for a deep clean.

Cleaning your bathroom fan can be a little complicated, but don't stress — there are some easy steps to walk you through the process. Here is what you will need before you start: a stepladder, a flashlight, a vacuum with a hose attachment, a screwdriver, warm water, all-purpose cleaner, and a microfiber cloth. Let's begin.

First, you're going to want to turn off the electrical breaker. This is where that flashlight will come in handy as the bathroom will be dark if you don't have a window. Next, set up your stepladder and begin to remove the exterior dust from the fan using your vacuum. 

Once you have completed those initial steps, remove the exterior fan cover and set it aside. You may need to unscrew it with a screwdriver, or simply pull it off. With the cover now removed, you will see a motor and blades. Most fans will be plugged into an outlet, so look for that and unplug it before you start cleaning. 

Good news: You're almost halfway done at this point! Take your cleaning products and fill up the sink with warm water and some all-purpose household cleaner. Remember that vent cover you took off? Grab it and soak it in the cleaning mixture for a good 10 minutes in order to remove dust and any stubborn grime that has built up over time. After the soak, use the microfiber cloth and wipe the fan cover until clean. Then give it a quick fresh-water rinse before setting it aside to air-dry.

Almost done — time to step back onto that ladder.

The final steps are here, and they're just as simple as the first few. Remove the fan unit from its housing and wipe down the motor and blades. Finish this step by dusting the recessed housing around the fan, as plenty can get stuck in those corners — like insects (try not to be surprised, you're on a ladder, remember!).

All that is left to do now is set the fan, motor, and blades back into place. If you unplugged the fan, plug it back in and check that the blades are unobstructed and moving correctly. Put the cover back on. Turn the breaker back on and flip the switch!

Your bathroom fan should now be quiet, clean, and no longer an unpleasant bathroom chore. Try the toilet paper test again to see if this solved the suction problem — if it didn't, consult a professional for a potential repair. Regardless, it is important to clean your bathroom fan every six months or so, while cleaning its exterior once a month. Time to look up at your bathroom fan and admire the efficient (and nearly constant) work it does to keep your bathroom moisture-free.