If your bathroom fan has not been cleaned for years, it must have slowed down and isn't exhausting the air as it should. Indeed, most people do not clean their bathroom exhaust fans.

If the fan is not exhausting the air, the moisture will build up in the bathroom, leading to wall damage or mold problems. It may also reduce the quality of air coming in due to excessive moisture.

In addition to poor air quality and poor performance, a dirty bathroom fan can lead to a fire breakout. Modern bathroom fans are fitted with overheating sensors that automatically turn off when the motor gets too hot. Older bathroom fans did not have this safety feature. A motor coated with dust can easily overheat, hence starting a fire.

What You'll Need:

⦁Flashlight

⦁Screwdriver

⦁Sink or bucket

⦁Electrostatic duster

⦁Microfiber cloth

⦁All-purpose household cleaner

⦁Sturdy step ladder

⦁Crevice attachment and Vacuum with hose

⦁Towel

Step 1: Safety first

Since bathroom fans use electrical current, switch off the breaker for the bathroom and ensure the power switch on the fan is off. This will leave the bathroom dark, so make sure you have a flashlight. Since the fan is fixed over the shower or tub, use a sturdy ladder and ensure the floor is dry to avoid slipping.

Step 2: Dust the outside of the fan

If dust is accumulated on the outside of the Broan bathroom fan, dust it off using a crevice attachment on your electrostatic duster or Vacuum. With this, the dust won't fall to the floor as you remove the cover.

Step 3: Disassemble the fan

Most bathroom fan covers can be removed by pulling them away from the wall or ceiling. For other models, you are required to use a depress latch or a screwdriver on the sides to remove the cover. Once you remove the cover, you will be able to locate the motor and the blades of the fan. Some fans are plugged into an outlet–unplug it before cleaning the fan and the surrounding recessed housing.

Step 4: Wash the vent cover

Fill the sink or the bucket with warm water and add some all-purpose household cleaner. Put the vent cover in the water, and allow it to soak for about 30 mins to remove all the buildup of dust, grime, and hairspray as you clean the other parts of the unit. After 30 mins, wipe it clean using a microfiber cloth and rinse it in warm water. Place it on a clean towel and let the vent cover air-dry before reinstalling it.

Step 5: Clean the fan blades and motor

Remove the fan from the housing if possible. Most fans require a few twists to come out. Dampen a microfiber cloth lightly with water and wipe out dust from the motor and each of the blades. Also, you can use a vacuum with a crevice tool to remove the dust. Use a light torch to avoid bending the blades. If you can't remove the fan from the housing, use a vacuum, an electrostatic duster, or a damp cloth to remove as much dust as possible.

Step 6: Clean the housing

The brackets and the recessed housing that hold the fan together can trap insects and dust in the corners. Use a duster or the crevice tool of the Vacuum to remove as much dirt as possible.

Step 7: Reassemble the fan

When everything is clean, dry, and free from dust, place the fan back into its housing by reconnecting it or screwing it to the brackets. If necessary, fix the fan into the outlet. Rotate the blades a few times using your fingers to ensure they are not hitting any part of the housing. Ensuring that the cover is well dry, screw or snap it in place.

Step 8: Do a test run

Switch on the bathroom breaker and give your clean fan a test run. If you realize some noise or clicking, the fan requires to be repositioned slightly.

Now that the fan is working properly, use an electrostatic duster with a long handle to remove dust from the exterior cover after a few weeks. Perform thorough cleaning after every six months. The process may be a bit of a hassle, but it's easier than regular battling with bathroom mildew and mold if the fan is not sparkling clean.

Bathroom Vent Hose

If your bathroom fan is clean and does not exhaust the required amount of air, you should check for blockages in the bathroom vent hose.

The fans must be exhausting to the inside, either the roof or a wall. Most bathroom fan covers have flaps that open when the fan is switched on and automatically close when the fan is switched off.

Bathroom fans are also fitted with pest screens that keep out animals such as insects and birds. Birds like to make nests in bathroom dryer vents.

To check the airflow, just switch on your fan, and place your hand in front of the exterior vent. If no air is exhausted or feels very weak, then there must be an obstruction, and the fan needs to be cleaned.

Final Thoughts

Having a maintenance schedule for your home items is a good idea to ensure you don't forget anything. Cleaning your Broan bathroom fan should be one of the items in the maintenance schedule. It is wise to clean your bathroom fan at least once every year.

Cleaning your Broan bathroom fan is not a difficult task for a handy homeowner to perform. It is easier than cleaning any other device like a furnace blower fan. With the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) blower fan, you are required to remove several wires, and it usually takes a lot of time. Contrary, there are a few electrical wires for a Broan bathroom fan, and the fan is a bit smaller.

Broan is the leader in residential ventilation products, customized climate, and indoor air quality solutions. Find more Broan products here!

Robert Syengo is an experienced web writer with a home improvement history that includes toilet remodeling and appliance installation. He enjoys writing and learning about electronics, gardens, design, remodeling and repair.