Extractor Fan Maintenance: How to Clean and Replace an Extractor Fan

Extractor fans are key to keeping your bathroom & kitchen healthy and fresh. Maintenance is a must to ensure they work well. Dust and grime can build up over time, reducing efficiency and causing problems. Regular cleaning is crucial to prevent mould and mildew, which harm air quality. The cleaning frequency depends on room size, usage, and climate.

Our experts at Airconcentre.co.uk share tips on when and how, to clean and replace extractor fans.

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What Does an Extractor Fan do?

An extractor fan is an essential component in maintaining good air quality and ventilation within a home. Its main function is to remove excess moisture, smoke, odours, and other pollutants from the air, making it a vital part of any household.

Excess moisture can lead to the growth of mould and mildew, especially in a warm, moist bathroom environment. This not only damages your walls and ceilings but also poses health risks. An extractor fan effectively removes this excess moisture, preventing the growth of mould and keeping your bathroom dry and hygienic.

In kitchens, an extractor fan helps to remove cooking fumes, smoke, and odours that can linger in the air after preparing meals. This not only improves the overall air quality but also prevents these smells from spreading to other parts of your home.

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How Can an Extractor Fan Get Dirty?

Extractor fans can easily get dirty due to the accumulation of dust, dirt, and grease over time. In bathrooms, moisture can also cause a build-up of mould and mildew on the fan blades and inside its housing. In kitchens, cooking fumes and grease can also stick to the fan blades and interfere with its performance.

Grease 

Grease is one of the main culprits when it comes to dirty extractor fans. As mentioned earlier, cooking fumes and grease can easily stick to the fan blades and other components, causing them to become clogged and decreasing their efficiency.

Mould 

Often found in bathrooms, mould not only looks unsightly, but it can also release spores into the air, which can cause health issues. If left unchecked, mould can spread and affect other areas of your home as well.

Dust

Dust is a big reason why extractor fans get dirty. It piles up on the fan blades, motor, and other parts, making them clogged and less efficient over time.

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A bathroom extractor fan efficiently removes excess moisture to prevent mould and mildew. Since it operates multiple times daily, it's normal to accumulate debris over time.

A bathroom fan left uncleaned will eventually cease functioning, yet it continues to consume electricity. In the worst-case scenario, an excessively dirty bathroom fan could present a fire risk if the motor overheats.

A dirty or blocked extractor fan results in:

• A dusty bathroom
• Smelly air as it can’t work correctly
• A waste of electricity, since it’s not actually doing anything
• A noisy extractor fan
• Bathroom mould

So, as you can see there are lots of reasons why regularly cleaning a bathroom extractor fan is good practice. Read on to find out how often it should be done, and what you will need to do.

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How Often Should You Clean an Extractor Fan?

It's a smart idea to give your extractor fan a good clean every six months. A thorough clean twice a year should do the trick to keep your bathroom fan in top-notch shape. If you notice it looking all clogged up and grimy, or if it starts getting noisier than usual, it might be time for a clean.

These signs can help you decide when to show your extractor fan some maintenance love, especially if you use it daily.

What you'll need:

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What to do Before You Start:

1. Lay down a sheet or an old towel to help catch any dirt that falls out, and to soak up any water that may spill on the floor.

2. Remember to shield your mouth and hair. If your extractor fan is extremely dirty, consider covering your mouth and wearing eye protection such as safety glasses.

3. Before cleaning your extractor fan, make sure to turn off the power first. You can do this by using either the switch or the circuit breaker that controls the power to your extractor fan.

Now the bathroom is protected, and the power is off, let’s get started:

Remove the Fan Cover or Grille

To detach the fan cover, typically, you'll need to use a screwdriver to unscrew it and then lift or slide it off. In addition, certain extractor fans may feature spring clips that require undoing. Check your extractor fan manual for exact details. After removing the cover, fill a container with soapy water and let it soak.

Remove Dust 

Once the cover is off, take a closer look at the fan blades and the surrounding areas. You can use a vacuum cleaner equipped with a narrow nozzle or a soft brush to remove any dust or debris, however we recommend a soft duster to remove particles and debris from the fan blades.

Clean inside 

Just grab a cloth dampened with a mild cleaning solution and give that housing a good wipe! Take care of any tough spots or residue. Remember, the cloth should be damp, but not dripping wet, to keep water away from the fan motor.

Allow to Dry 

After you've cleaned, it’s important to give it time to allow everything to dry. You can use a cloth or kitchen roll paper to help. If you've cleaned the cover or grille too, allow that to dry also.

Reassemble The Unit 

Once it’s all dry and clean, reattach the cover with the screws or clips.

If cleaning your extractor fan hasn't improved its appearance or performance, it might be time for a replacement. Fortunately, Airconcentre offers an excellent selection.

Explore our best of the best selection of the Top 10 extractor fans.

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Common Extractor Fan Technical Manuals

We get that every extractor fan, whether it's for your kitchen or bathroom, is unique on the inside. That's why we've dropped some links to the manufacturers' manuals here, just in case you need them. If you’re in doubt about anything in the manuals, make sure to contact the manufacturer directly.

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In summary, regularly maintaining and cleaning your extractor fan is crucial to keep it functioning correctly and efficiently. While six months is a good rule of thumb, don't neglect signs that indicate it might require more frequent cleaning or even replacement.

By following these simple tips, you can ensure a healthy and fresh bathroom for years to come. So don't forget to add this task to your regular bathroom maintenance routine!