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How do you unplug a bathroom fan?

Michelle Driscoll, MPH
Founder, Mulberry Maids
Michelle Driscoll is the Owner of Mulberry Maids, which is based in Fort Collins, Colorado. With five years of experience, her business specializes in cleaning homes and small offices. She holds a Masters in Public Health from the Colorado School of Public Health. Additionally, Mulberry Maids has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.

Michelle Driscoll, MPH

Founder, Mulberry Maids

Expert Answer

Many fans will have a plug directly behind the cover. However, to be safe, you can always turn off the power by pulling the breaker for your bathroom.

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Question

How long should you leave the fan on after a shower?

Michelle Driscoll, MPH
Founder, Mulberry Maids
Michelle Driscoll is the Owner of Mulberry Maids, which is based in Fort Collins, Colorado. With five years of experience, her business specializes in cleaning homes and small offices. She holds a Masters in Public Health from the Colorado School of Public Health. Additionally, Mulberry Maids has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.

Michelle Driscoll, MPH

Founder, Mulberry Maids

Expert Answer

In order to fully clear all humidity from the air, you should leave your bathroom fan on for at least 20 minutes.

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Question

How do I clean grease off my extractor fan?

Michelle Driscoll, MPH
Founder, Mulberry Maids
Michelle Driscoll is the Owner of Mulberry Maids, which is based in Fort Collins, Colorado. With five years of experience, her business specializes in cleaning homes and small offices. She holds a Masters in Public Health from the Colorado School of Public Health. Additionally, Mulberry Maids has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.

Michelle Driscoll, MPH

Founder, Mulberry Maids

Expert Answer

If you are able to remove the fan, you can do so and submerge it in soapy water. However, many fans are not fully removable. If so, you will need to carefully use soapy water and a sponge to clean off the grease stains. Vinegar also works well to break down the grease.

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My family and I live in an apartment in Michigan. When it is windy, dark flakes come out of the air vent (where the ceiling fan is). Can the dark flakes cause health problems? What are the particles?

Michelle Driscoll, MPH
Founder, Mulberry Maids
Michelle Driscoll is the Owner of Mulberry Maids, which is based in Fort Collins, Colorado. With five years of experience, her business specializes in cleaning homes and small offices. She holds a Masters in Public Health from the Colorado School of Public Health. Additionally, Mulberry Maids has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.

Michelle Driscoll, MPH

Founder, Mulberry Maids

Expert Answer

If particles are coming into your bathroom, you may need to have a roofer replace your fan. Vent fans should have a backdraft flap and an insect screen. There is a chance this is not longer intact, and you are getting debris coming into your house from the outside. This shouldn't be a big job, but you want to ensure the sealing is done correctly, as you do not want to risk any water damage.

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Question

My vent fan is in the bathroom and connects to the outside wall. It is very old and is made of metal and coated with rust. It smells old and of cigarette smoke. I have wiped it when I can, but I still can't get rid of the smell. What can I do?

Community Answer

Windex with ammonia or just ammonia will get rid of that smell and staining almost instantly.

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Question

My fan has stopped working. Do I need to clean the tube?

Community Answer

It wouldn't hurt, and clean everything else, while you're at it. Shove a vacuum's hose into the tube as far as you can to remove as much debris as possible.

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