Ceiling fans are great for dissipating some of the summer heat, but they also collect dust fast. Keeping your ceiling fan free from dust prolongs its life span and ensures chunks of dust don’t fall onto your furnishings.
Ceiling fans aren’t the easiest things to clean. It can be tasking to haul out a ladder and brush the blades. Here’s a helpful guide to show you how to clean fan blades and motors easily.
How to Clean Fan Blades
Safety is paramount. Before you even get the ladder, ensure that the fan is turned off and can’t be switched back on while you work on it. This way, you’ll avoid getting injured by the oscillating fan blades.
Also, always ensure that you’re using a firm step ladder with good support. The last thing you want is to slip and fall from a height of 8 to 10 ft.
If you have allergies, struggle with asthma, or have breathing issues, it’s important to cover your face with a mask to avoid any dust irritation.
1. Prep
First, cover the floor of your living room with some old sheets to avoid dust and grime falling on your carpets and over any furniture. A good rule of thumb is to cover twice the area the fan rotates over. Make sure to remove any glass shades or globes on the fan – you can soak and wash these accessories in warm, soapy water.
Change light bulbs as needed. If they’re still in good condition, dust them with a microfiber cloth. Remember, a clean bulb will always shine brighter than a dirty one.
2. Dust
There are several ways to dust your fan. For one, you can use a cloth or long-handled brush to dust the sides of the fan blades. Using a duster/brush is a really efficient way to clean high ceiling fans. Make sure to clean the motor housing and the top of each blade. Spray the housing with compressed air to remove interior dust.
It’s advisable to use a face-covering with this method regardless of whether you’re sensitive to dust or not. Covering your face keeps dust and dirt from getting into your eyes and mouth, which can potentially lead to a safety incident. Another tip is to dust away from yourself to keep from getting covered in dust.
One way to avoid dust flying all over is to use a pillowcase. Simply put the pillowcase over each blade, making sure to wipe the dust off the sides, top, and bottom. Unlike using a brush or a piece of cloth, all the dust stays on the pillowcase. Be gentle when using a pillowcase; otherwise, you’ll risk damaging the blades.
Yet, another trick is to use a vacuum cleaner attachment to clean the fans. Turn your vacuum cleaner on and brush the attachment along the blades.
3. Wipe
If the fan blades are dirty but not greasy, you can use a damp cloth to wipe and clean the fan blades and remove any dirt. When wiping, start at the top of the fan and work your way down. In case the fan is greasy, it’s a good idea to wash using an all-purpose cleaner or work a small amount of degreaser into the blades. Don’t spray any liquid on the fan or apply undue pressure on the blades when scrubbing away dirt. Doing so can bend the blades or ruin the fan entirely.
Be sure to dry the blades as damp blades will attract dust to them. Finally, throw away any wipes you used and dust off the old sheet collecting dust beneath the fan before washing it in warm water.
4. Turn on the fan
Once you’re done cleaning, turn on the fan to ensure everything is operating as it should. Here’s a tip! Clockwise warms a room; counterclockwise cools it.
Now, you can enjoy the fresh, clean air wafting from your ceiling fan.
House Cleaning Services in Clearwater
Would you use a pillowcase to clean off your ceiling fan? It’s a crafty little trick that keeps your face, hair, and clothes from getting covered in dust. And as a bonus, you don’t need to cover your floors since the pillowcase traps all the dust.
Wondering how to clean fan blades? Hopefully, this little guide has answered your question on how to clean ceiling fans. If you’re overwhelmed at the thought of ceiling fans cleaning or other cleaning tasks, Maid Impressions is available to help you out.
Maid Impressions provides house cleaning services that include deep, weekly, and monthly cleaning. Our deep cleaning checklist is designed to clean and disinfect those hard-to-reach areas in your home, from window sills to ceiling fans. We can handle any cleaning job, big or small. Call us today and request a quote and experience why customers love our cleaning system!
