How And When To Clean Your Ceiling Fan

Ceiling Fan Cleaning Tips

During regular use, ceiling fans attract floating particles found in the air such as dust. Over time, these particles can build up, creating thicker dust and grime unless cleaned. This dirt not only stops the fan blades and motor from working efficiently, but it can also distribute dusty air, an experience you want to avoid. So, cleaning your fans regularly is crucial for the fan’s maintenance and to ensure you get clean, cool air whenever you need it. Today, we’ll cover how and when to clean your ceiling fan, giving you everything you need to know to keep your fans working smoothly.

What You’ll Need To Clean Your Ceiling Fan

There are a few essential tools you’ll need to clean your fans and a few extras, depending on how thorough the cleaning process is. If you’re simply carrying out a quick clean, you’ll need a duster with an extendable arm or a regular duster and ladder. For a thorough clean, you’ll need:

• Dust mask
• Extendable duster
• Ladder
• Drop sheet/old bed sheet
• Pillow case (optional)
• Cleaning solution
• Microfiber cloth
• Compressed air
• Antibacterial/disinfecting wipes

When it comes to choosing the right cleaning solution, you can either opt for a store-bought all-purpose cleaner or you can make your own. For a simple homemade solution, mix equal parts water and vinegar then place it in a spray bottle. Before you start cleaning, it’s important to ensure you have all the tools nearby to make the process as quick and easy as possible. Ready to go?

What Is The Best Way To Clean A Ceiling Fan? A Step-By-Step Guide

1. The first and most important step to cleaning your fan is to be prepared. To start, remove any obstructing furniture which could get in your way during cleaning and place the drop sheet or old bed sheet directly underneath the fan. This is crucial to avoid damaging or marking your furniture or upholstery with dust or cleaning products. Next put on your dust mask, ensuring it comfortably covers your nose and mouth. This will prevent you from breathing in dust or other particles during the process. The last preparation step is to set up your step ladder on the sheet, making sure it’s secure and gives you enough room to comfortably clean the fan motor and blades.
2. Using the extendable duster, carefully wipe down the fan including the blades, motor, ceiling support and light fixtures. You could also use an old pillowcase to easily clean the blades. Place the pillowcase around each blade then grasp the opening tightly as you pull it off the blade slowly. The dust and loose particles will be wiped into the pillowcase, helping to minimize mess and save you time with clean-up later. After cleaning each blade with the pillowcase, shake it outside to remove the dust before putting it in the laundry.
3. To clean tough grime from your ceiling fan, spray your preferred cleaning product on an old rag, making sure to wipe down both sides and edges of the blade including the arm brackets. You can also use this method to clean the motor and light fittings. Next, dry the area using a microfiber cloth to remove excess moisture and to remove any last dirt particles. If you encounter particularly grimey glass light shades, remove them and wash with warm soapy water before drying with a microfiber cloth and placing them back on the fixture.
4. To finish the process, use compressed air and/or cotton swabs to remove dust from tough to reach areas like the motor and other small cracks. Lastly, wipe down the fan’s pull chain, switch and remote with antibacterial wipes to complete the cleaning.

Cleaning Regular Fans

Cleaning free-standing or desk fans follows the same process as ceiling fans, with the added step of cleaning and removing the protective case around the blades. The case can be cleaned easily using a duster or brush attachment on a vacuum cleaner, before following the usual steps to clean the blades. For a more thorough clean, remove the case and blades and wash with warm soapy water and a sponge before leaving out to dry. While they’re drying, use a small attachment on your vacuum cleaner or use compressed air to clear the motor and other small holes in the fan. When everything’s dry and sparkling clean, reassemble the device.

Over time and with lots of use, fans naturally become dusty and grimey simply because of the way they work. As a fan’s blades rotate, they attract air in the opposite direction of the spinning which causes a build-up of dust and other floating particles. If you regularly keep on top of cleaning then your fans might not need much more than a quick wipe-down with a duster every week or two. However, if you notice they need more thorough care, you now know exactly how to clean your ceiling fan and all the tools you’ll need to make the job quick and easy.