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Washed bathroom exhaust fan cover drying on a folded towel on a vanity, the clean white fan housing in the ceiling above

How to clean a bathroom exhaust fan

March 20, 2024•5 min read

To clean a bathroom exhaust fan, switch it off and cut the power at the breaker, pull the cover down and wash it in warm soapy water, vacuum the blades and the housing with a brush attachment, wipe them with a barely damp cloth, and put the cover back once it's fully dry. It takes about 20 minutes, and once or twice a year is enough.

Why does the fan need cleaning?

The fan's job is to pull steam out of the room. Every shower also pulls dust and lint up into it, and that dust sticks to the damp grille and the blades. A clogged fan moves less air, so moisture stays on the mirror, the ceiling and the grout longer. That's when you start seeing mildew in the corners and peeling paint above the shower.

The quick test: hold a square of toilet paper to the cover with the fan on. If it doesn't get pulled flat, the fan is struggling.

What do you need?

A sturdy step ladder
A vacuum with a brush attachment and a crevice tool
A bucket or sink of warm water with a squirt of dish soap
An old toothbrush
Two microfiber cloths
A screwdriver, if your cover is screwed on
A flashlight
A dust mask and safety glasses, if the fan hasn't been cleaned in a while

How do you clean a bathroom exhaust fan step by step?

Cut the power. Switch the fan off at the wall, then turn off the breaker for that circuit. If the fan plugs into an outlet inside the housing, unplug it once the cover is off.
Take the cover down. Many covers hang on two metal spring clips. Pull the cover down a couple of inches, squeeze the clips together and slide them out of their slots. Others are held by a center screw. Have a towel on the counter below for the dust that falls.
Wash the cover. Soak it in the soapy water for 10 minutes, scrub the slots with the toothbrush, rinse and stand it up to dry completely. Plastic covers can go on the top rack of the dishwasher if the maker allows it.
Vacuum the blades and housing. Use the brush attachment on the fan blades and the crevice tool around the motor and the inside of the housing. Go gently, the blades are light plastic and bend.
Wipe. Wipe the blades and the housing with a cloth that's barely damp. Don't spray anything into the housing and keep water away from the motor.
Remove the motor, if it's designed to. Some fans have a motor and blade assembly that unplugs and lifts out on a bracket. If yours does, take it out, vacuum and wipe it, and clean the housing behind it. If it doesn't come out easily, leave it in and vacuum what you can reach.
Put it back. Once the cover is completely dry, squeeze the clips and push it back up until it sits flat against the ceiling. Turn the breaker back on and test the fan.

What should you not do?

Don't work on the fan with the power on.
Don't stand on the tub edge or the toilet to reach it. Use a step ladder on a dry floor.
Don't soak or spray the motor.
Don't put a metal cover in the dishwasher. Wash it by hand.
Don't reinstall a damp cover. The dust that sticks to it will turn to paste.

How do you keep the fan clean longer?

Run the fan during every shower and for 15 to 20 minutes after. A fan timer switch makes that automatic.
Vacuum the outside of the cover with the brush attachment every month or two when you're dusting.
If a fan stays loud or weak after a full clean, the problem may be the motor or a blocked duct. That's a job for an electrician or a ventilation contractor.

Good airflow keeps the rest of the room easier to clean. See how to clean bathroom tiles and how to manage mold and mildew for the surfaces the moisture hits first.

What a house cleaning covers

Standard House Cleaning, RoutineCare, cleans in the bathroom: the toilet inside, outside and at the base, the tub, shower and tiled walls, the shower door glass and tracks, the fixtures and drains, the sink, counter and faucet, the vanity and cabinet fronts, the mirrors and the floor.

Mold and mildew remediation beyond surface cleaning isn't on any of our cleaning checklists. If mildew keeps coming back on the ceiling, the fan is the place to start.

FAQ

How often should a bathroom exhaust fan be cleaned? Vacuum the cover every month or two and do a full clean, with the cover off, once or twice a year. A bathroom that's used for several showers a day, or a fan that's getting louder, needs it more often.

Do I need to turn off the breaker to clean a bathroom fan? To take the cover off and reach inside, yes. Switch the fan off at the wall and turn off the breaker for that circuit, so it can't start while your hand is in the housing. Just vacuuming the outside of the cover only needs the wall switch off.

How do I know if my bathroom fan is working? Hold a single square of toilet paper up to the cover with the fan on. If the fan pulls it flat against the grille, it's moving air. If the paper barely moves, clean the fan, and if that doesn't help, have the fan or the duct checked.

Why is my bathroom fan so loud? Dust on the blades throws them off balance, and a dirty motor works harder. Cleaning often quiets it down. A grinding or squealing noise that continues after cleaning usually means the motor is wearing out.