Exhaust fan is one type of fan that has a function to circulate air in order to remove moisture and odors from the room to prevent the development of mold and mildew.
Its daily usage makes it prone to piles of dirt, that’s why regular maintenance is needed to clean it.
Before you clean the exhaust fan, unplug the standard two-prong plug that powers the fan. To be on the safe side, you can turn off the electricity to the bathroom at the current fuse.
Once you are sure there is no electricity to the fan, you can safely clean it. Start by removing dust with a vacuum extension wand.
For the fan motor and fan housing components, use a vacuum cleaner with brush bristles. Rub with a light touch to not damage any components.
How to Clean a Kitchen Exhaust Fan
There are many types of exhaust fans, one of them is for the kitchen or the cooker hood that not only releases dirty air from cooking steam, but also smoke, smells, heat, and even oil.
You should use your kitchen exhaust fan or cooker hood every time you cook. As a result, fat will accumulate in the cooker hood filter and eventually reach the fan blades themselves.
If grease is allowed to accumulate on these fan blades, it will eventually affect fan performance and may cause system failure. In more dangerous situations this can cause an oil fire. For this reason, your kitchen cooker hood should be cleaned at least once a year.
1. Cleaning the Kitchen Exhaust Fan Filter
Remove the strainer from its slot, immerse it in boiling water, add a grease-removing dish soap and a quarter cup of baking soda.
Then scrub with a brush that won’t damage the web and add a little more soap if necessary. Rinse the filter well, and finally let it dry.
2. Cleaning Dirt in Hard-to-Reach Areas
Dirt or grease collects under the range hood or hood and on the filter on the fan blades. Make sure you clean this area regularly to prevent grease from accumulating and dripping onto your stove.
As with fan filters, oil dripping from the hood can be a fire hazard.
How to Clean Bathroom Exhaust Fan
Exhaust fans are also installed in the bathroom to help remove humid air after showering. This is done to reduce the potential for the growth of mold, bacteria, and annoying odors.
1. Cleaning the Filter Cover
To remove the cover, gently pull the cover to open the fan. then open both sides of the cover and slide it out of the slot. This will allow the cover to be completely removed from the fan housing. You will see the dust and dirt that has accumulated there.
2. Clean the Vent Cover with Soapy Water
Clean the cover with warm water and a few drops of dish soap. Let the cover soak in the soapy water for a few minutes.
This will soften the dirt and make it easier to clean. Then scrub the fan cover with a cloth or dish brush to remove all dust, and dirt. Put the cover on the towel and let it dry
3. Exhaust Fan Equipped with a Filter Net
If the exhaust fan has a filter net, remove the net and pour boiling water into it. Soak in a mixture of hot water and detergent for an hour. Remove the net from the soaking solution and gently rub it around the net.
4. Fan Blade
Prepare a mixture of water and soap, add 2 tablespoons of baking soda and 1 full glass of warm water. Put on rubber gloves and rub the above mixture with a cotton cloth, scrubbing the fan blades and other parts.
Use a wire brush on areas where the buildup of dirt is too difficult to clean with just a chemical. Remove dirt using a soft damp cloth or towel. Clean the fan blade sections from the inside out to ensure that each section is free of dirt.
You can also clean it with vinegar or window cleaner or dishwashing liquid with a toothbrush. This will remove any dirt that has accumulated on the fan.
5. Reinstall the Exhaust Fan
If the fan is clean and the dirty cover looks like new, it’s time to replace the fan. If you removed the motor while cleaning it, now is the time to put it back in and replace the screws.
Then replace the cover by reinserting the mounting cable into its slot, and gently pushing the cover into place.
If you want to test the fan to make sure it’s working, turn on the fan, then take a tissue or toilet paper and hold it near the fan. A normally functioning fan should be able to suck the paper into the cover and hold it there.
Bathroom exhaust fans can also be a fire hazard. The buildup of lint and dust can ignite if the fan is too hot, causing surrounding material to also catch fire.
So you should clean your bathroom exhaust fan from excess moisture, you shouldn’t run it longer than necessary or leave it on when you don’t need it.