How to Clean an Electronic Air Cleaner


Posted on May 21st, 2011 by by Expert How
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When it comes to our homes a lot of us are going to go for an electric air cleaner but the only problems with these are going to be the cleaning part.  It is going to be quite hard to do this if you don’t know what you are doing; if you don’t really know what you are doing then here are a few instructions to help you through the process.  With this walk through you can know how to clean out your electronic air cleaner.

Tools You’ll Need

  • Plastic bag
  • Replacement filter
  • Mild type of soap
  • Damp cloth
  • Dry cloth

Electronic Air Cleaner

Step 1 – Remove Your Air Cleaner’s Filter

You will first have to switch off the power to your electronic air cleaner for safety of course before you start to remove any of the parts.  To remove the electronic air cleaner filter by firstly removing the back part of your device; you won’t have to use anything for this part, your filter will be found with your cleaner around the back of the cleaner.  You can remove it but carefully though, you could do this by sliding out of its place.

You can get two different types of filters – reusable and disposable filters; if you are going to use a disposable filter then you should get a plastic bag and then put it into the bin.  If you are using a disposable filter then you will need to make sure that you get the right type of filter for your electronic air cleaner.  A disposable air cleaner should be used if your instruction manual directs you to use them or not; if you do have a reusable filter then you could simple clean it out by getting hot warm and combine it with soap and then clean out the filter properly.  Your filter should be dry before you think about putting the filter back into your air cleaner; try to wipe it dry before you replace it back into your air cleaner.

Step 2 – Begin Cleaning Your Electronic Air Cleaner

You can now clean your air cleaner out though, now that you know which filters you are using; don’t plug in your air cleaner until you have cleaned out the filter.  You need to get a cloth and dampen it and start to clean the air cleaner but remember not to over clean it; don’t try to take the material off the actual cleaner to get it clean.  Clean off all of the dust in the cleaner; because this can build up and prevent your cleaner from working properly.

Step 3 – Reassemble Your Electronic Air Cleaner

Before you even think about reassembling the electronic air cleaner you need to make sure that your cleaner is dry.  If you need to reassemble the air cleaner quickly then you can take a cloth and dry it with that; or if you have to use a filter then you could just use a disposable filter.  You are going to have to reattach your back end which is quite easy to do; it will clip right back into place and then you can just plug back in the air cleaner.

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How to Clean a Window Extractor Fan


Posted on May 21st, 2011 by by Expert How
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When you have a window extractor fan then they could be a useful tool for your kitchen or your bathroom; getting a window extractor fan is something which is not just useful but can’t be quite simple to install also.  You don’t need to drill a hole in your wall but rather will be to mount it through your window.

These fans will be trying to take out all of the air from your house and back outside but doing this can mean that they can become more prone to get build up on the inside; they will begin to get a lot of things from your home sucked up through the vent, it will be the dust and dirt meaning the fan gets a lot of build up in the fan which needs to be cleaned a.sap.

You can find the right things though to help you when it comes to cleaning these window extractor fans but if you follow these simple instructions then cleaning your fan can be made easier.

Window Extractor Fan

Tools and Materials Needed

  • Vacuum
  • Duster
  • Soapy Water
  • Polish
  • Sponge
  • Scourer

Step 1 – Safety First

It is never needed to be said but just for a recap you should always have your electricity power sources turned off.  This should be turned off before you think about working on your fan because you don’t want to injure yourself by getting electrocuted.

Step 2 – Cleaning the Casing

To clean the casing of the fan you should get a mixture of hot water along with some washing up liquid into a bowl and get a scourer and sponge so that you can clean off the dirt from the fan easily.  You should try to be as soft as you can so that you don’t damage the fan itself.

So using your sponge first should be what you use but if you find there are just some little spills that wont remove themselves then try your scourer but not too hard otherwise you might damage the fan.  A little hard work is needed for the cleaning part, especially if it is stubborn and won’t move.  You should be able to get the dirt from the fan though, it might take a while but the strains will be washed away sooner or later.

Step 3 – Polish

Get some polish and a duster to help make the surface of the fan look a little bit better; it won’t take long however if you use a strong cleaner.  You can just put some polish on a duster and start to clean; you can buff it up as much or as little as you would like.

Step 4 – Vacuum

You should get a vacuum cleaner to finish off the inside of the vent because there can be a lot of dust that you and your duster can’t get to but with a vacuum cleaner then they could get the rest from the vent.  Use the slimiest part of your vacuum so that you can get right into the vent.

Step 5 – Outside

You could use your vacuum to clean both in and out of the vent; it would be best to firstly use hot soapy water for the outside of the vent, cleaning on the outside is easy to do more so than what it is to clean inside of the vent.  You could just wipe the dirt away.

Step 6 – Replacement

If you think that the window extractor fan is still not working as you think it should be then you should think about getting a replacement.  Getting a new fan could be the only way to go but if you are then try to get the same model of the fan that you already have so you won’t have to do any extra work.

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How to Clean a Mixed Flow Extractor Fan


Posted on May 21st, 2011 by by Expert How
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When you have a mixed flow extractor fan then you are going to have to work hard to keep it working perfectly and prolonging its life by making sure that you have kept it clean and tidy.  The only problem with that is that it can be easy to build up; these can help your homes greatly but you do need to keep them cleaning often.

If you follow these few instructions then you could get your centrifugal extractor fan to run perfectly for a long time to come.

Tools and Materials Needed

  • Ladder
  • Rags
  • Washing detergent or a liquid soap
  • Vacuum cleaner
  • A broken or unusable toothbrush
  • Dry cloth

Mixed Flow Extractor Fan

    Step 1: Turn Off Unit

    You should make sure that your power source has been switched off from the main source of power; so that you don’t get yourself injured by the electricity of the fan.

    Step 2: Mix Cleaning Solution

    You are going to need a cleaning mixture; this will usually be something like hot water and some cleaning detergent.  Remember to wear your protective gloves when you are using the cleaning mixture so you don’t get any irritation on your skin; remember when you are cleaning you should be wearing protective items.

    Step 3: Lubrication of Bearings

    With a centrifugal extractor fan, the belt driven centrifugal fan is something that makes the air circulated making it easier to work of course.  When it comes to these fans then you are going to need two things; cleanliness and oiling; if you have an old fan then you will probably have sleeve bearings which help to oil the metal on metal surfaces.  They usually do this around six or seven times a year; this helps to stop any dirt from building so that your unit is going to keep working for longer.

    With newer models of these fans then they are going to have self oiling bearings but if they don’t work properly then you are going to have to replace the unit.

    Step 4: Cleaning the Blades

    The blades can have a lot of dirt and dust building up on them because they are prone to do so; if you are cleaning your blades regularly then it is going to reduce the risk of any debris building up it is always a good idea to get the blades cleaned out every month or two months at the most.

    When you have a smaller fan then it take over an hour or so because you need to remove all of the blades but when you have a bigger fan then it can take twice as long or more.

    Step 5: Reassemble Unit

    Now that you have cleaned your fan and your blades thoroughly then you will now need to put all of the parts back together where they were when you found them.  Your airflow will be better flowing; you should know what the safety rules are first before you clean out these units however.

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    How to Clean a Kitchen Extractor Fan


    Posted on May 21st, 2011 by by Expert How
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    Many of us have a kitchen extractor fan; this helps to prevent fumes, smells and grease from building up in your kitchen and take it back outside.  This can help but the truth is that the fan might get clogged up easily so you are going to need to get this cleaned regularly so that your fan is going to work.  You can clean your kitchen extractor fan in a number of ways prolonging its life.

    Tools and Materials Needed

    • Soapy Water
    • Sponge
    • Polish
    • Dusters
    • Vacuum Cleaner
    • Screwdriver

    Kitchen Extractor Fan

      Safety

      Before you think about cleaning your extractor fan then you need to think about the safety of you; you are going to need to switch the power off from the main fuse box.  You don’t want to have an accident and get electrocuted; taking out the power means that you won’t get electrocuted.

      Step 1 – Unscrew the Vent

      After you have switched all of the power off then you will start by unscrewing your vent from the inside of your home and outside also; now the vent will usually only be attached with screws so unscrewing these are easy and quick to do.  After this you will remove the vents from both inside and out.

      Step 2 – Unclip the Fan

      Your fan is going to be attached to the internal part of the extractor fan so it could be that your vent is being attached by clippings so you will need to unclip the fan and remove the fan.  Sometimes the whole of the fan shouldn’t be removed because you have to be very careful when it comes to cleaning the actual fan – this will be the water you use.

      Step 3 – Wash the Housing

      You should wash the housing of the fan with hot and soapy water; you should remember that it is not a wise choice when it comes to trying to wash the fan by putting the electrical parts right into water because it could damage the fan beyond repair so using a cloth to clean the fan is the best idea.

      Step 4 – Clean the Fan

      Your blades of the fan can be a little dirty so that is when you get a duster and a can of polish and clean the fan but be careful when you are cleaning it.  You don’t want to get any water in the fan or any part of the fan including the motor; you really do need to avoid using a lot of water when cleaning the fan.

      Kitchen Extractor Fan

      Step 5 – Clean the Duct

      The truth is with your duct then a lot of things can accumulate inside of it; you should use a vacuum to finish cleaning the inside of the duct, using this will help clean out much of the dust.

      Step 6 – Reassemble

      Now that you have finished cleaning the fan then you should start putting the parts back into the extractor fan.  It should be reconstructed as to how it was when you opened it up so remember what you did to put it back together.  The last thing to do will be to test drives it to make sure that it is working.

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      How to Clean a Dryer Vent on the Roof


      Posted on May 21st, 2011 by by Expert How
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      Cleaning your dryer vent should be something that is done frequently especially if you often use the dryer vent; a lot of the time with these vents, it will be that the dryer can get clogged from all of the dirt that builds up.  If so then you are going to have to start thinking about getting any repairs done or replacements.

      It can be easy to clean your dryer vent out though so try these few steps.

      WHAT YOU WILL NEED;

      • Ladder
      • Knife
      • Vacuum Cleaner
      • Cloth
      • Screwdriver

      Dryer Vent

      • Disconnecting the Dryer

      You are going to need to disconnect your dryer vent; make sure that you have the power switched off completely.  Remember to shut off the gas – you are going to need to locate your valve of the gas and switch the gas off from there.

      • Removing the Dryer Vent

      Removing the dryer vent cover from the vent so that you can clean the inside of the vent will be the first part.  It will usually be that the cover is kept into place by some screws but it will be easy to remove them with your screwdriver.

      • Cleaning the Inside

      Cleaning the inside of the vent is simple, you are going to have to go outside and locate the vent.  You will have to take out the dryer off so you can start to clean the dust out from the inside of the vent.  Take the chance to also clean around the vent also; you could use a wet cloth just to wipe away the extra dirt.

      • Opening the Outer Vent

      You are going to need access to your outer vent which will be located outside your home.  The roof is going to be where the vent could be, a lot of the times, the vents are going to be found on the roof.  If you don’t want to stick your neck on the line then just call in a professional.

      • Cleaning the Outer Vent

      Cleaning out the outer vent is the next part of the cleaning process; you want to remove as much dirt or dust that you can by hand.  You should use a cloth that is going to swipe out all of the dirt lodged in the vent and once you have done this or got as much dirt as you can out then grab a vacuum cleaner and try getting the rest of the dirt out of the vent.

      • Testing the Vent

      Now that you have done all cleaning of your dryer vent then you should switch it back on and test it.  Make sure that everything is working properly that there has been no parts faulty or have been put back in the wrong order .

      Doing this will also remove any old pieces of dirt or dust in the dryer also; you can run your dryer vent run for a few minutes and once you are satisfied that it is working perfectly then you can switch it back off again and there you have it.  Your dryer vent is good as new.

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