Blog

Jun 20, 2023

Cleaning tips: The forgotten part of the bathroom people didn't know they had to clean until a woman shared her dusty discovery

By Rachael Gavin | 1 day ago People are only just realising they need to deep clean their bathroom exhaust fan, after a woman revealed the amount of dust she found on hers when she finally removed

By Rachael Gavin| 1 day ago

People are only just realising they need to deep clean their bathroom exhaust fan, after a woman revealed the amount of dust she found on hers when she finally removed it.

She shared an image of the dirt lurking underneath the fan in a post on the Facebook group Mums Who Clean.

"I feel kind of RIDICULOUS for not knowing these literally just unplug from your ceiling I had always just removed the cover and wiped what I could reach of the fan. So if you are as clueless as I am, here's your reminder that these come out easily and probably (definitely) need a good clean," she captioned the post.

READ MORE: Shock washing machine find prompting hundreds to check forgotten part

The post prompted many members of the group to admit they also didn't know this was possible with their bathroom exhaust fans.

"I was today years old when I learnt this!" one said.

"What?? I only ever take the cover off! What am I going to find when removing it," a woman commented.

"Oh I'll have to check mine out! My house is 20 years old hope it's plugged in like yours," another wrote.

One member also mentioned they are easy to replace with new ones available at Bunnings for as little as $31.

READ MORE: Air fryers now up to 50% off in flash sale

It's important to keep bathroom exhaust fans clean and working efficiently as they do an important job in helping remove moisture from the room to prevent mildew and mould.

When it comes to cleaning exhaust fans, like most cleaning, there are two levels to consider: regular or maintenance cleaning and deep cleaning.

For regular cleaning of an exhaust fan, which is often forgotten when cleaning the bathroom, home hacks guru Stephanie Booth shared a handy 'how to' video on her TikTok channel.

For a daily dose of 9Honey, subscribe to our newsletter here.

"Once a month check to see if there is any dust sticking to the exhaust cover. If there is, use a hand vacuum and brush attachment to remove the dust," she said.

Booth also shared a hack to figure out if the fan is working properly. To try it, turn the fan on and hold a toilet paper square under the vent. Let the paper go and if it sticks to the vent, it's working properly. If the paper falls, it might be time to get it checked.

Watch the video above.

As for when you need to remove the fan, like the woman who posted about her dusty fan on Facebook, cleaning company Simply Spotless recommends doing it a couple of times a year.

In a guide on cleaning exhaust fans on its website, the cleaners advised turning the power off at the mains before starting to avoid electrocuting yourself when you remove the cover. They also suggested cleaning the fan during the day time so you can easily see what you're doing without lights on.

After laying newspaper or sheets on the ground to catch any dust that falls out, then unscrew or unclip the cover and wipe or rinse under a tap.

"If there is grime or dirt buildup, then you should start your cleaning process by soaking the cover in a tub of warm, soapy water. Next up, use a cloth, brush, or scourer sponge to clean away any dust and grime that might be caked on. Once clean, leave the extractor fan cover to air dry," Simply Spotless said.

READ MORE: Big glass mistake we're making leaving streaks

Then it's time for the fan blades which should be cleaned with a microfibre cloth, but if they come off easily they can be rinsed, just make sure they are wiped dry afterwards.

The next step is to clean the extractor fan housing, which can require a vacuum or removing clumps of dust by hand. To clean the remaining dust off use a brush and/or cloth, but don't get water on it as this could damage it or cause electrocution.

Once everything is clean, and anything that has been rinsed is fully dry, put the fan back together and pop it back in the ceiling.

Check that it's all working by turning it on and listening out for any weird sounds. If you don't hear anything, you're good to go with your nice, clean exhaust fan.

Property News: This is what Sydney's cheapest apartment looks like.