How to Clean a Ceiling Fan the Easy Way

With summer in full swing around the whole of Australia, your ceiling fan is set to get a lot of action. Whether it be humming through the night letting you sleep or cooling you down while watching TV, your ceiling fan will become your best friend. But with inaction for a prolonged period of time comes an accumulation of dust that will trigger allergies. Here’s how to avoid sneezing fits, with a few easy ways to clean your ceiling fan.

Why clean your fan during summer?

If you have already turned on your fans and think the worst is over then you’re wrong. While the dust that has accumulated may have been spread, other allergens can still be spread. The rotation of the blades can suck up dust, dirt, pollen and other small particles. Furthermore, if your fan is located close to your kitchen, it may accumulate grease and oil that emanates when cooking food. This makes it the perfect environment to harbour allergens.

Does cleaning a fan improve how it runs?

Yes, dust build-up is one of the main culprits behind a wobbly or slow-running fan. As dust accumulates on the blades, it can throw off their balance and put extra strain on the fan motor. A clean fan doesn’t just look better, it runs more smoothly and quietly too.

Do white ceiling fans need special cleaning?

Not really, the same methods below work on white fans as any other colour. The main difference is that dust tends to show up more obviously on white blades, so it’s worth cleaning them a little more often to keep them looking fresh.

What do I need?

In a situation where you are dealing with a high up appliance, a helping hand is always good to ensure your safety when cleaning. A step ladder will also be imperative to this task, do not be tempted to climb your furniture in an attempt to clean it. While not always necessitated, a spare sheet to collect dust on the floor will add an extra layer of protection. With some of the dust being likely to be swept off the fan in the process of cleaning, the dust will spread across the floor and furniture under the fan. Also, whilst not our focus, glass cleaner is good to have on hand to clean the glass light globes.

How do I clean my ceiling fan?

There are multiple ways to clean your ceiling fan but the one major overarching instruction is to do it in a way where you will not spread dust. If this step is not followed then you will not feel the benefits of your clean fan, as it will just disperse the allergens to the floor and will accelerate the process of the fan getting dirty again. Another vital thing is that you turn off the ceiling fan while you are cleaning. Not only will this reduce the spread of dust but it will also make it safer for you.

1. The pillowcase method

If you have a pillowcase you don’t use anymore, this may be the perfect method to clean your fan without requiring a sheet. For this technique, you will have to get level with the fan’s blade, then cover the blade with the pillowcase. Applying pressure to the underside and top of the fans, slowly pull back until you reach the end of the blade, making sure to not let the opening sag and potentially spill out. Once this is done, empty the pillowcase into a bin or an outside area and repeat on the other fan blades.

2. The duster method

If you prefer to use a duster, protecting the floor from dust is one of the main objectives, a sheet placed underneath will catch any falling allergens. Rather than grasping the top and bottom of the fan, grip the sides and then pull the cloth, this reduces the chance of dust spreading back into the air and onto the floor. A duster with an extendable handle is ideal for this method, especially one with a curved end and a microfibre cloth attached, as this lets you clean both the top and bottom of the blades without needing to flip the duster around.

3. The vacuum method

This one is probably the most effective if done regularly. If you have a vacuum with an extendable arm, cordless vacuums preferably, with a dust attachment you can vacuum the dust from the sides of the blades. A sheet can be added to the floor for this method or you can use another vacuum attachment to clean the fallen dust. However, despite this method’s convenience, this is the least effective method if this is the fan’s first clean in a while. Also, even if this is done regularly, you may still get a build-up of dust in hard-to-reach places. Furthermore, if you have not cleaned your fan over a long period of time, your vacuum may not be able to provide adequate suction to draw all the dust off the blades.

4. The microfibre cloth and soapy water method

Sometimes a fan needs more than a duster or vacuum to get properly clean, especially if it’s located near the kitchen and has picked up a build-up of grease. Wipe the blades down using a microfibre cloth with a cleaning solution or warm soapy water. Spray your solution onto the cloth rather than directly onto the fan, and if you’re using soapy water, wring the cloth out fully so it isn’t dripping. Apply gentle pressure as you wipe each blade, giving your cloth a quick rinse in between, then let the blades dry fully before turning the fan back on.

A note for winter

In the warm summer months, your ceiling fan blades work hard to push air down and create a wind chill effect. In winter, many fans can be switched to run in reverse, drawing cool air up towards the ceiling and pushing the warm air that naturally rises back down into the room. Some fans switch direction with a remote, others need a manual flip of a switch near the base. Either way, it’s worth giving the blades a clean using one of the methods above before you flip the switch, so you’re not just circulating the dust that’s built up over the warmer months.

Get someone to do it for you

Does all this seem like a faff that you’d prefer to avoid? Don’t have the time or tools necessary to complete this sort of activity? Well, you may be best getting a professional in to do the job instead. Here at Absolute Domestics, we make cleaning easy. Our cleaners are trained to give your home a clean that you’ll be thrilled to come home to. We work around your busy schedule to make the process easy and to allow you to come home to a clean house.