A dusty bathroom fan barely moves air, which means lingering steam, peeling paint and mildew. Here's how to clean the blower wheel, housing and cover yourself.
If your bathroom mirror stays fogged long after a shower, or you're noticing mildew in the corners of the ceiling, the exhaust fan is probably the culprit. It may be running, but it isn't moving much air.
Bathroom fans pull in damp air all day, and dust and lint stick to that moisture. After a year or two, the blower wheel inside is packed with gray fuzz and the fan might be moving half the air it was designed for.
A working bathroom fan removes the humidity from showers and baths before it settles on walls, ceilings and grout. When the fan can't keep up, you get peeling paint, swollen door trim and mold growth that's hard to get rid of once it starts.
A clogged fan also runs hot and works harder, which shortens the motor's life. Cleaning one takes about 15–25 minutes and a stepladder.
Turn the fan on and hold a tissue or single square of toilet paper up to the grille. If the fan holds it firmly against the cover, it's pulling well. If the paper barely moves, the fan needs cleaning, or something else is going on.
A stepladder, a vacuum with a brush attachment, microfiber cloths, an old toothbrush, a mild all-purpose cleaner and, optionally, a can of compressed air.
Every six months keeps most fans running well. The same routine works for laundry room and utility fans.
If the fan is clean but still weak, loud or grinding, the motor may be wearing out. Many older homes in Rancho Bernardo and Rancho Peñasquitos (92128, 92129) have original fans that are simply undersized, and a replacement fan is a common, manageable upgrade.
Run the fan during every shower and for about 20 minutes after. A timer switch makes that automatic. And while you're thinking about moisture, check the tub and shower caulk. If it's cracked or mildewed, our guide on caulking a bathtub or shower walks you through it.
Balancing on a ladder with a vacuum hose overhead isn't anyone's favorite chore. For Livd members, your dedicated handyman cleans every exhaust fan in the house as part of your proactive maintenance plan, checks the duct connections and lets you know if a fan is due for replacement.
Already a Livd member? Add "clean bathroom fans" to your task list in the Livd app and we'll take care of it on your next scheduled visit.
Not a Livd member yet? Schedule your free home walkthrough at livdhomes.com. We'll look at what your home needs and build a proactive maintenance plan to keep the little things from becoming big ones.
