How To Clean Dust From a Fan

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We depend on our home fans to keep us cool during summer. They blow and circulate air around the room when we turn them on. Over time, dust will accumulate on the blades of a fan.

Dust build-up can lead to bacterial growth and impact the lifespan of your fan. It also provides a sticky surface that can attract more dust, making cleaning difficult.

Are you wondering “how to clean dust from a fan?” You’re in the right place! In this post, we’ll go over the steps to clean a fan the right way.

Let’s begin!

Supplies You’ll Need

You’ll need a few supplies before you can start cleaning dust from a fan. You’ll need a screwdriver to remove the blade guard and fan blades. Next is a dust cloth or a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment and hand gloves.

You’ll also need a small brush, like a paintbrush, to get into the crevices of the fan blades. Next on the list is a mild soap and a bucket of warm water. A clean and dry towel is also a must!

In cleaning ceiling fans, you can avoid getting up on a ladder by using a long-handled feather duster to dust your ceiling fan blades. If you plan to use compressed air, be sure you have a rag or cardboard to catch all the dust.

Precautions to Keep In Mind Before Cleaning

Cleaning dust from a fan is simple and easy, but taking safety precautions first is essential. Having injuries is the last thing we’d want while cleaning.

Before cleaning your fan, make sure the fan is turned off and unplugged from any power source to prevent the fan from turning on while cleaning. Allow it to cool for at least 30 minutes. In addition, when handling blades, wear gloves to avoid scratches from sharp fan blades.

Another thing to keep in mind before cleaning dust from a fan is the place where you clean. You should wash in an open area to prevent dust and debris from scattering around other furniture. It’s best to clean outdoors, on your lawn or garage, instead of in closed areas like your living room or bedroom.

In addition, you should cover your nose and mouth with a cloth or a mask to prevent yourself from breathing in the dust. If you have asthma, it is best to leave the cleaning to those who don’t have one for your safety.

If you clean a ceiling fan, use a sturdy ladder or stool, preferably with a handle for you to hold on to. Choose one that can properly fit your feet to help you balance. Also, always place the ladder or stool on a flat surface before using, and don’t even try moving it while you’re on top.

Ensure that the cloth you’ll use to wipe the dust off your fan is soft. This is to prevent any scratches or other damage to your fan. Finally, keep an eye out on the electric components inside the fan, such as the motor, and make sure to avoid making any contact with water or damp cloth.

Step-By-Step Guide to Easily and Effectively Clean Dust From Your Fan

1. Disassemble Fan

Remove the fan blades by unscrewing the center screw (or screws, depending on your fan). Often, there is a small cap nut that you will need to unscrew before you can remove the blades. Be careful not to lose the nut!

Use a Phillips head screwdriver to remove the screws that secure the motor housing. Be careful not to lose any of the small parts. With the motor housing removed, you can see the fan’s coil.

2. Blow Away Dust

Many people might not know how to clean dust from a fan. Well, best to start cleaning with compressed air. It is a quick and easy way to remove dust from the outer parts of the fan.

Hold the can of compressed air about six inches from the fan blades and spray in a circular motion. Be sure to hold the can upright, so the dust does not collect in the can. The dust will be blown off the fan blades and fall onto the rag or cardboard.

To clean the grill, hold the can of compressed air about six inches from the grill and spray in a horizontal motion. Repeat this process for the other side of the grill.

If you’re cleaning dust from a ceiling fan, you can use a feather duster to reach for the blades and grill (if it has one). This will also allow you to get all of the nooks and crannies on your fan blades, and it will be gentle on the fan, so you don’t have to worry about damaging it. However, with this being gentle, you might not remove a lot of dust.

3. Use Vacuum with Attachment

Using the nozzle attachment on your vacuum, slowly and carefully run the vacuum over the fan’s blades. Be sure to get both the front and back of the edges. Pay special attention to the areas where the blades attach to the motor, as dirt and dust can accumulate there.

If the vacuum has powerful suction, you may need to hold the blade in place while you vacuum to avoid damaging it. Repeat this process for each blade, the fan’s coil, and the motor. Then, clean the area around the fan to remove any dust that may have been blown around.

Moreover, using a vacuum with an attachment on the fan, you will want to turn it on and start cleaning. Be sure to move the vacuum back and forth to get all the dust. You may check the area more than once to ensure all the dust is gone.

4. Wash and Wipe Away

Once the loose dust is gone, put a drop of dish soap on the end of the cloth and lightly scrub the blades and the fan’s housing, front and back, being careful not to get the motor wet. Wipe in the direction of the blade rotation to avoid damaging the fan. Be sure also to wipe down the base of the fan.

You may need to use a mild cleaning solution if the dust is caked on. To save money, you can use a cleaning solution made of things usually found in your home. Check this site on how to create and use one in fan cleaning.

In-ceiling fans, another way of wiping away stubborn dust is by putting a pillowcase over the fan’s blade, ensuring that the pillowcase’s open end is facing down. Next, hold onto the pillowcase with one hand, use your other hand to hold onto the fan’s blade, and slowly pull the pillowcase towards you. The dust will be caught in the pillowcase, and you can take it outside to shake it off.

5. Rinse and Dry

When you’re done washing, rinse the blades and fan body with clean and warm water. If your fan is still dusty, repeat the process until it’s clean, still being careful not to get some water in the fan motor. Finally, dry your fan blades and grill with a clean cloth or towel.

You can also dry fan parts by placing them in an area with access to sunlight or breeze. Allow it to air-dry for 30 minutes to be completely dry.

6. Reassemble Parts

Once all the parts are clean, reassemble the fan according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Start by reattaching the blades to the blade arms or onto the motor unit. Be sure to use suitable screws, which should be included in the hardware pack that comes with your fan.

Once the blades are in place, reattach the fan’s motor housing. Line up the holes and screw the motor housing back into place. Next, put the fan grille or cover back.

After returning all parts to their original places, reconnect your fan to the power source. Test the fan to ensure it’s running correctly before using it again.

Ask For Professional Help When Needed

Regarding fan cleaning, it is always best to ask for professional help. This is because they will know exactly how to safely and effectively remove the dust without damaging the fan.

Professional cleaners will have the necessary equipment and experience to dust a fan quickly and efficiently. They will also be able to reach all the nooks and crannies where dust can accumulate in. You also want to consider asking for professional services when you have no time to clean.

On the other hand, you can start your professional cleaning services. It could be a huge turning point in your life, from having a hard time cleaning on your own or spending money to hire cleaning services to having your own business. Check this link (http://www.bookingkoala.com/blog/how-to-start-a-cleaning-business-on-a-low-budget/) to learn more.

Importance of Keeping Your Fan Clean

One of the importance of cleaning dust from a fan is that it can ensure your fan’s longevity. Dust build-up on the blades can cause the fan to work harder and use more energy, raising your utility bills. Dust can also cause the fan to overheat and break down.

A clean fan is essential because it helps circulate air more efficiently and prevents the spread of dust and pollen throughout your home. This will then help you avoid health hazards.

How Often Should You Be Cleaning Your Fan?

Ceiling fans, portable fans, and others accumulate dust over time, which can eventually cause problems with the fan’s operation. It is a good idea to clean your fan regularly or at least once every few months. If you have a lot of dust or pets in your home, you may need to clean your fan more often.

How Do Dust Form?

Dust forms when particles in the air settle on surfaces. The particles can come from many sources, including human skin, pet dander, dust mites, and pollen. Activities like cooking, cleaning, and smoking can also generate dust.

When a fan is turned on, these particles are blown around and can eventually settle on the blades.

Tips and Tricks to Prevent Dust From Accumulating on Your Fan

You can do a few things to keep your fan clean and dust-free. Consider using a dust cover for your fan when it’s not in use. This will help keep dust from settling on the fan blades or getting into the fan itself.

Use dust repelling spray to prevent dust from forming for at least two weeks. If you can’t find one at your local stores, you can make your own with just water, olive oil, vinegar, and dish soap or essential oil.

Using furniture spray or paste car wax on fans can also help prevent dust from sticking to the blades. This is for the reason that it can make the surface of the fan blades slippery. After using paste car wax, you should buffer it with a clean cloth.

Another tip is to avoid smoking indoors and keep the surrounding of your fan clean. This includes dusting any shelves or surfaces near the fan and vacuuming any carpets or upholstery near the fan. The less dust in your room, the less likely it is to end up on your fan.