Cleaning Shower Exhaust Fan with Light

Cleaning a shower exhaust fan with light is not as easy as it seems.

Usually, most people don't know how to perform this task. It's not as easy as just wiping it down every once in a while. You need to get inside of the vent and remove any debris or buildup there too.

This article will show you step-by-step instructions on cleaning a shower exhaust fan with light so you can have fresh-smelling air without any bacteria.

The Steps to Clean Shower Exhaust Fan with Light

Step 01: Shut off the power

For cleaning shower exhaust fan with light, first shut off the power to the fan at your circuit breaker. For safety reasons, you don't want to get electrocuted. Moreover, you should never clean your fan while it is still plugged in.

Step 02: Remove the Light Cover

Remove the light cover (usually by unscrewing it). If you can't remove it, leave it alone and just work around it. If there are any screws holding the cover on putting them in a safe place so they don't get lost.

You might want to clean behind these covers, but this is not usually necessary unless there is condensation build-up inside of them. To clean 'behind' them, just use compressed air or carefully vacuum around them.

Step 03: Remove the Motor

This step may vary depending on what kind of fan you have, but most often, there will be just one or two screws holding the motor assembly to the housing that you need to remove. Once the screws are out, you can slide the assembly held by a single wire from the housing.

There is an electrical connection attached to this bracket. Make sure it's not plugged into anything before moving on.

Step 04: Vacuum It

Now that your fan is no longer attached to its housing, you can use your vacuum hose attachment and a small brush to clean around all of the areas where debris could have accumulated over time. This includes the inside of the vent area as well as any holes/openings where the air comes through.

The best way to clean is to gently go around it with your vacuum hose attachment and follow up with a medium-sized brush. You can also use cotton swabs or q-tips to get into small areas.

Step 05: Clean the Blades and Lights

The blades of your fan are the only parts that must be cleaned with water. Use a sponge or damp rag to go around each blade, removing any dust buildup.

Use this same method to clean the glass area of your lightbulb if necessary.

Step 06: Replace Everything

Once you are satisfied that everything is clean, simply put it back together by reversing these steps. Make sure to tighten all screws securely, so there is no chance of them coming loose while your fan is on. Also, don't forget to replace the light cover too.

FAQ's

Why Should I Clean My Shower Exhaust Fan With Light?

Your bathroom is the perfect environment for bacterial growth.

There are many different kinds of bacteria, but they all have one thing in common - moisture is their food source, and your fan provides it.

When you clean your shower exhaust fan with light, you will remove all of the moisture and also any odors that may be present, which not only makes it more pleasant to use but healthier too.

Can I Clean My Shower Exhaust Fan With Light While it's Still Plugged in?

Absolutely not! You should always shut off the power first before touching anything electrical because accidents happen all the time, and sometimes you don't realize what's going on until it's too late.

If you're not sure if something has power running to it, take the necessary precautions and unplug it or switch off your circuit breaker.

Should I Bother Cleaning Behind The Light Cover on an Axhaust Fan?

Whether or not you choose to clean behind the light cover is a personal preference, but know that it won't make a big difference either way.

Cleaning around it is much more important because if water gets in there and sits for too long, mold will grow, which isn't healthy for anyone to have in their house.

With all that being said, most people don't bother cleaning behind the light cover as it isn't very easy to do without taking your entire fan out from the ceiling. In this case, just go with vacuuming around it instead.

How Can I Avoid Bacteria Buildup Near my Shower?

The best way to avoid bacteria buildup is by cleaning your bathroom every day and changing the air filter on your fan as often as recommended.

If that's not a possibility, then try to keep a window open or run the exhaust fan for at least 10 minutes after every shower you take, but make sure it has been 20 minutes since you turned off all of the water in your home before turning it back on again.

Will an Exhaust Fan Cause Any Problems With my Ductwork?

No, there should not be any problems with your exhaust fan and the ductwork in your home. It's more likely that you'll have a problem with either mold or condensation if it isn't operating correctly, which is why it's important to maintain it regularly.

Is it Better to Have a Vent or Without one in The Bathroom?

Having a vent is better because it allows moisture to escape from your bathroom instead of sitting between the walls.

In other words, if you have a closed-off vent, then there's nowhere for that moisture to go, and it will build up over time which can cause severe damage as well as potential mold growth as well as destroying any insulation in those areas.

Last Thoughts

We hope this article helped you understand exactly how to clean your shower exhaust fan and light so you can have fresh-smelling air without the bacteria.

If there are any other questions you'd like answered, feel free to let us know in the comments section below.