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5-Step Guide to Deep Clean Your Exhaust Fan and Eliminate Dirt and Grime

Surendra Verma

December 12, 2023 15:50

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An exhaust fan is an important appliance to eliminate odors, dust particles, burned warm air, and suffocation from the kitchen, bathroom, and home. So, cleaning and washing your exhaust fan is also important for increasing its performance and lifespan.

Your exhaust fan is important for removing unwanted particles, odors, humidity, and other things. Over time, it becomes clogged with oil, grease, dust, dirt, and a variety of other things mixed in the air. 

Cleaning your exhaust fan regularly is therefore essential to keep it functioning properly and maintain good indoor air quality. In this guide, we’ll show you how to clean your exhaust fan in just five easy steps, using common household tools and materials. So, roll up your sleeves, and let’s get started!

Why Do We Need To Clean The Exhaust Fan?

Exhaust fans play a crucial role in maintaining good indoor air quality by removing moisture, odors, and pollutants from the air. However, with regular use, these fans can accumulate dirt, dust, and grease, leading to a buildup that reduces their effectiveness and can cause unpleasant odors and stuffy air to circulate throughout your home. It’s important to clean your exhaust fan periodically to keep it functioning properly and avoid any potential fire hazards.

To ensure that your exhaust fan is operating at optimal levels, it’s recommended to set aside 20 minutes for a thorough cleaning. Doing so not only helps to keep your home smelling fresh and free of harmful pollutants, but it also promotes the longevity of the fan itself. In this guide, we’ll outline some key points for cleaning your bathroom or kitchen exhaust fan, helping you to maintain a healthy and comfortable living environment.

Also, check the best exhaust fan for bathroom

Discover How to Clean Your Exhaust Fan in Just 5 Easy Steps

Before cleaning an exhaust fan, such as those found in kitchens, bathrooms, ceilings, bedrooms, and basements, you will need some common household tools. Cleaning an exhaust fan is a simple process that can be approached in the same way as any other cleaning task.

5 easy steps to clean the exhaust fan

You will need some basic cleaning tools for the task, such as a scrubbing brush or cloth, turpentine oil or thinner (alternatively, baking soda, vinegar, kerosene, lemon, or detergent can be used), a set of screwdrivers, and so on.

Dissemble the Fan:

The only difficult and time-consuming aspect of cleaning an exhaust fan is disassembling and reassembling it; otherwise, cleaning an exhaust fan is as simple as cleaning your bike. Just disassemble it safely first.

Blow the air:

If you have a vacuum cleaner or an air blower, use it to blow the dust from the exhaust fan’s body. Alternatively, you can clean the dust using a cloth or towel.

For the mesh filter or cover:

When disassembling the exhaust fan, use a screwdriver to remove the mesh filter or cover. Some exhaust fans have a cover to prevent intruders or birds from entering. Clean the cover using detergent, a scrubbing brush, or any cleaning liquid you have available.

Clean the Fan or wings:

You can use a prepared cleaning solution, a mixture of water and soap, or a combination of 1/4 ammonia, 2 tablespoons of baking soda, and 1 cup of warm water. Apply the cleaning solution to the fan body and scrub it with a small towel or cloth. After cleaning the entire body, set it aside to dry.



If your exhaust fan has grease or sticky residue around the edges of the fan and blades, apply one of the cleaning solutions mentioned above and use a scrubbing brush to clean it. The residue should come off easily with the help of a thinner, detergent, or any other cleaning solution mentioned earlier.

Assemble and reinstall the filter:

After thoroughly cleaning and drying the exhaust fan and body, reattach the fan mesh, ensuring that the hooks are tight and secure. Then, reconnect the unit and use it as usual. Now you know how to clean an exhaust fan, whether it is dirty with grease, dust, or any other sticky substance. You can follow the same process to clean and maintain it.

Also, check the type of exhaust fan

Also, check the buying guide for exhaust fan

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