I didn’t know bathroom fans needed cleaning until mine started sounding like a helicopter. The noise had ramped up so gradually I hadn’t noticed — until a guest asked if we were doing construction upstairs.

Pulled the cover off and the dust was caked on thick enough to peel off in sheets. The fan had been running maybe 20% of its original power for I don’t know how long.

Why a dirty fan matters more than you think

A clogged exhaust fan can’t pull moisture out. That moisture sits on your walls, your ceiling, your grout. Mold loves it. If your bathroom mirror stays fogged for an hour after a shower, your fan isn’t moving enough air.

The filter or grille: if yours has a removable foam filter, rinse it under warm water and let it dry completely before reinstalling. Soap only if it’s greasy.

I now do this every six months. The fan runs quieter, the bathroom dries faster, and my ceiling paint isn’t peeling anymore. Funny how that works.