What is hanging from the bathroom fan?

The bathroom fan is one of the most essential components of your home.   Certainly, like most of us, it’s understandable that we take the fan for granted. Often we walk into the bathroom, flip the switch and it works. Why put any thought to it? It’s important to consider how often you use the bathroom and how many people rely on the fan being maintained properly. It’s safe to say that if someone doesn’t pay attention to the maintenance of this essential component, you might end up with poor indoor air quality. You also might decrease the fan’s lifespan and it may stop working quietly and efficiently. Who needs a substandard experience, when all it takes is for you to look up and perform minimal maintenance?

Many households don’t perform the minimal maintenance in a timely fashion. You should perform minimal maintenance on your bathroom fans every 6 months. There is no reason to wait until an issue arises. For instance, you should be concerned if the exhaust fan has developed a thick layer of dust particles and grime because this can damage the fan’s motor unit, especially if it’s been left unattended for a long time.

Many households have exhaust fans that aren’t working properly. A homeowner might get used to a fan that is too noisy. However, they might not be able to hear when the fan is moving very little air or is not energy efficient. Furthermore, since most people run their bathroom fans to prevent mold from taking over, you don’t want to wait to fix your fan when the musty smell emits from the bathroom.

Cleaning the bathroom fan is not complicated. First, make sure that the fan is turned off. Before you take off the cover, pat it dry with a cloth. Then, wash the cover with soapy water. Your fan may have additional screws holding the fan in place, so remove them. Taking the blades out makes cleaning a lot easier considering that you’re likely standing on a ladder. Then, clean the dirt of the fan blades with a toothbrush.  It’s a good idea to put the blades on a dry cloth. Using the attachments on your vacuum cleaner will get the dust out of the nooks and crannies. If you notice tar-like debris and mildew, you can do a more thorough cleaning job using water and your bathroom cleaner. Make sure you clean both sides of the blades. Then, dry all the parts. Some households recommend letting the parts dry for an hour or two before reinstalling the fan.

Some households take these steps only to realize that their fan doesn’t need to be retired!