Cleaning An Exhaust Fan: 6 Easy Steps

Exhaust fans, that are meant to help you by letting out the smoke from the kitchen or the smell from the bathroom, can collect dirt over a long period of time. If you don't check on them regularly, the dirt accumulation can make them stop working too. Regular cleaning is necessary for your exhaust fans. You can either clean it while its placed in its position or you can remove major parts of the exhaust fan and clean it.

Either ways cleaning is essential, else you will have a damaged fan that has too much of dirt accumulated over it. While you are cooking, your kitchen exhaust fans gather a lot of grease that needs proper cleaning. So, you need to be prepared with the right materials to clean it. Oil and grease needs perfect cleaning materials; else you would spend too much time scrubbing it. Of course, scrubbing is necessary but just scrubbing won't really help.

HOW TO CLEAN CEILING FANS IN SIMPLE WAYS

You can try some of these tips to get started with cleaning the exhaust fan in your bathroom or kitchen. A few exhaust fan cleaning tips have been mentioned below. Follow these regularly for best results.

Getting Started
Before you even begin cleaning the exhaust fans, prepare yourself for the cleaning. Get the cleaning materials in! Switch off the power supply and the switches connecting the exhaust fan. Detach your exhaust fan and remove the blades from their place. In case your exhaust fan is at a height, arrange for a ladder that will help you climb the place.

Clean the Mesh
If there's a mesh in your exhaust fan, then you would need to remove them from their place and clean them. First begin by pouring boiling water on them. Add ½ cup ammonia to a cup of boiling water and place the mesh in that mixture. After an hour remove the mesh from the mixture and scrub it gently.

Cleaning The Fan Blades
Cleaning the blades is one of the toughest tasks! Add water and soap to a mixture containing ammonia ¼ cup and baking soda 2 tbsp. When you are keeping the blades in this mixture, make sure you have worn protective gloves and have covered your face with a mask. You can even use the mixture to scrub the fan blades using a soft cloth.

Other Methods To Clean Blades
You can prepare a mixture of hot water and detergent and place the blades in it for about 20 minutes before you clean the blades with a soft brush or cloth. You can scrub off the oily layer using unsharpened knife in case it stays on despite having dipped the blades in the detergent mixture. Use either lemon juice or a mixture of vinegar to clean the blades of your fan. Whatever you use, make sure you scrap off the dirt by using a blade of knife.

Removing The Grease
You can use caustic chemicals to help you remove the grease. Once you have removed this chemical by using the hot water, spray some chemicals lightly on the blades. These chemicals would help remove the grease that has stuck on to the fan blades. It would need harshness of chemicals, so make sure you are wearing a mask and gloves

Bathroom Exhausts
In case these exhausts are placed in your bathroom, you might want to clean it by reaching the fan using a ladder. You can remove the cover and with the help of a duster, dust the interiors. The cover that you remove to see the fan can be dipped in water mixed with detergent for perfect cleaning. You can even remove mesh and filters and clean them in mixtures. Once all is cleaned and dried, fix them back in place.