When cleaning, it’s easy to forget the bathroom vents, but it’s well worth addressing them regularly. Cleaning your bathroom vents will not only extend their lifespan, but also improve their function in a way that helps preserve your bathroom as well. Poor ventilation in bathrooms can lead to dampness, which could cause mold to grow. Clean bathroom exhaust fan vents will do a better job of helping to prevent that potential problem.
First thing’s first. Turn off the circuit breaker that leads to the bathroom to ensure safety. Then, take a ladder that allows you to reach the ceiling and pull off the cover of the exhaust vent before you proceed with the cleaning.
Key Tip: Some models have screws pressed to the side of the vent. You should remove them using a screwdriver. It will be easy to do.
Now that you have the cover in your hand, you should place it on the towel and then use a vacuum cleaner to remove the dirt from the sides. You can also soak the vent cover in warm water if needed. Sometimes a brush with firm bristles can help you better clean it.
Now, you get to the fan. Using a lightly dampened cloth, you should wipe the fan blades and motor completely clean. Ideally, there should be no dirt on it. You should also use a vacuum attachment to wipe away the dust that might be difficult to get to.
To clean the inside, you can use a crevice attachment and vacuum the inside of the exhaust vent. Make a point to clean the brackets that hold the exhaust fan in place, but be careful about damaging the fan motor.
Now that the vent is clean, make sure to let it dry for a bit if you used a damp cloth earlier, and then replace the cover over it, adding back any screws you took out.
You should make a point to clean the vents once or twice a year to ensure property function and that mold does not build up. This is a simple job that can save you a lot on potential repair costs down the line.