We may clear revenue from the products available on this Thomas Nelson Page and participate in affiliate programs . Learn More ›
cap fans are utilitarian additions to any way . They provide a cool child’s play when it ’s strong , circulate dusty air , and give a decorative accent to your household ’s interior . Like other appliances , roof fan also amass detritus and grime that lede to noisy cognitive process , wobbling , and eventually , motor damage . What ’s more , a dusty ceiling lover will circulate particles every clip you turn it on .
To keep your fan hunt smoothly and cut down on dust in your home , you should dust devotee blades each week with a specialized ceiling lover dust storm that slides over fan blades , simultaneously cleaning both the top and bottom . Avoid deform , breakage , or warping the blades by being thrifty not to press down too severely when sprinkle .
Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila
Never use harsh dry cleaner or toxic chemicals on fan blade , as these merchandise can scratch or color the fan blades and motor housing . Other cleaners to forfend include alcohol , babe wipe , and alkaline cleansers , which contain harsh compounds that can stain or destroy the finish on the blades .
Tools & Materials
Bobvila.com may earn a commissioning from purchases made through these links .
How to Clean Ceiling Fan Blades
Step 1: Turn off the fan and protect the space under the fan.
Turn off yourceiling fan , and await for the blade to get along to a complete stop . If you see a lot of dust buildup on the fixture and blades , stretch an erstwhile bed sheet or a bead cloth on the storey beneath the devotee ( and extend furniture , televisions , stereo equipment , and bookcases ) .
Be sure to stretch out the shroud tightly to foreclose tripping . Next , gather your supplies and position yourself for the good and safe approach .
depend on the superlative of the cap , you may necessitate need a step fecal matter , step run , or extensionladderto reach the fan . For everyday dusting of fan blades , you could purchasetelescoping dusterswith flexible heads , which will leave you to keep your understructure on the ground while sprinkle . The best way to houseclean cap fans thoroughly , however , is to get as close to the buff as you’re able to oversee safely .
Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila
Step 2: Clean the blades and motor housing.
Standing on a gradation stool or ladder , carefully wipe each fan blade with a ceiling fan duster or uncontaminating , juiceless microfiber cloth . If it is safe to do so , you could lean a vacuum with an extended hose anddust attachmentgently across the brand top . For deep cleaning , carefully go over the blade with a water - dampened microfiber material or terry towel and reserve them to dry all .
apply a clean , dry cloth to off junk from the motor housing and any pull chains . For a more thorough cleaning , spray the motor housing withcompressed airto hit interior debris . Do not countenance liquidity get into the housing .
Step 3: Finish with a dust-repelling spray.
Once your blades are clean , use a commercial anti - still , rubble - repelling spraying likeEndustto serve them stay that path . Spray the product onto a light microfiber cloth and wipe both English of each blade . If you prefer to make your own anti - static atomizer , combine one part fabric softener to four parts water supply in a sprayer bottleful .
How to Clean a Ceiling Fan Light Fixture
Step 1: Turn off the fan and remove light bulbs.
Be indisputable to twist the fan off before you begin pick the light fixture . Set up a pace faeces or ladder so the fastness is within leisurely compass . Remove thelight bulbsand take off any globes or glass shade around the bulb by carefully turning their mounting nooky counterclockwise .
On some styles of ceiling fan , you have to remove the spook to get at the bulb . Other globes are undefended at the bottom so the clean bulbs can be easily remove . Keep a diminished loving cup or bowlful nearby into which you may localise any screws or washers you bump off from the trash globes .
Step 2: Wash the shades with soapy water.
All parts of a sports fan and light can assemble dust and grease , and it ’s not at all unusual for drained bugs to pull together inside clear tone or globes . After take away the fixity ’s glass shade or globe , be certain to deck out any debris and then wash it in warm , soapy water and dry it exhaustively before place it back in the light fixture .
Step 3: Carefully wipe the light’s housing, and check shade gaskets.
softly wipe the lamp ’s housing with a more or less damp microfiber cloth . Be sure not to get the interior of the light-colored fixture or fan motor moisture .
Some glass globes or shades have rubber eraser gasket around the radix where they have it off onto the mending . These can dry out over time , so if the gasket on your fixture is worn or torn , either swap in a new gasket or substitute it with two or three clayey - responsibility rubber dance orchestra . Most New roof fan light fixtures habituate only screws and a lipped al-Qa’ida to view as the shade in place .
Step 4: Reattach the shades and replace light bulbs.
exchange the clean shades , using your finger to tighten the mountingscrews . Tightened screws keep the glass from rattle or shake up when the fan is operating . see to check that each mount screw is stiffen fairly equally so that the shade or globe will rest storey in its base .
supervene upon the light bulbs , or put in new medulla if they are burn out . Some light fixtures require replacing the bulbs first , then screw the ghost in property . While you are in place near the reparation , considerswitching your ceiling fan ’s directionto cope with the time of year if you have n’t done so already .
Final Thoughts
Even though you ca n’t see the tops of ceiling fan vane , they gather dust speedily . Regularly cleaning ceiling fans can cut down on dust in your base and keep a thick buildup of junk and grease on the brand . Outdoor roof fanscan gather even more debris , so wipe them off on a regular basis prevents a tougher line clean a dirty cap fan before your next barbeque . The stairs draft above for how to pick ceiling fans can tackle dust on the blade and the ceiling buff light .
Of course , never judge to clean a fan while the vane are moving . Turn the fan off and wait for the rotation to stop all before train any steps to cleanse your cap fan . Likewise , use care in all these footprint to avoid pulling or push down on the blades or light . And do n’t expend the blades to stabilize yourself ; they move . habituate care when climbing on a step ordure or ladder to reach blade , and endue in aceiling sports fan dusterwith a telescoping handle .
Once done with your cleaning , sit back and slack up under the gentle walkover of your debris - free ceiling fan .
Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila
FAQs
Q. What repels dust on ceiling fans?
A dependable dusting nebulizer can help reduce static and lessen the amount of detritus that settles on ceiling fan blades . keep the home as dust - free as potential also helps . If your devotee is easily accessible , add the steel to your unconstipated dusting routine , using a piano rubble thicket or microfiber material .
Q. How do you clean a ceiling fan without getting dust everywhere?
If you are implicated about thick dust on your fan , consist an one-time rag on the floor below the buff , stretching it out to safely place a ladder or whole tone pot on it . The best way to make clean roof fans without transplant debris to the floor and article of furniture below is to apply a timber microfiber cap fandusteror textile . A ceiling fan dustrag is designed to pick up rubble on the top and bottom of the blade , hold much of it inside .
If you may safely reach the blades from a stair dejection , you also can use a large microfiber cloth . Wrap the cloth gently around the top and bottom of the leaf blade ; most of the junk will cling to the fabric .
Using apillowcaseto clean ceiling blades is popular taxi , since by enwrap the vane in the case , you may pull toward you and the pillowcase catches the dust . This might operate well for blades that are specially dirty as a first footstep . However , the fabric will not remove that lower layer of dust , so you should then proceed to the tone above to full clean the vane .
Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila
Q. How do I get thick dust off my ceiling fan?
For especially thick debris , you’re able to begin with a pillowcase to gently pass over each steel and catch on the loose dust . attain thick , gunky dust with a damp microfiber towel or damp disposable cloth ( forefend using product that check alcoholic drink ) . Then continue to pass over with dusting spray and a juiceless cloth or mop .
If the junk stratum feel greasy , impart some mineral spirit or degreaser . nullify mineral look on the bottom of the blade if they have a conception ; the product might strip away the intent or finish . A skillful dish max should degrease the light globe or shades with a piffling soakage and wiping . And , keeping your home free of dustin general can keep thick junk from forming on the ceiling fan in the first situation .
This Is the twelvemonth for a Kitchen Renovation
Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila
Whether you ’re selling or staying , everyone can get something out of a kitchen update . Learn why we consider this refurbishment the Most Valuable Project of 2025 and how to stay on budget .
Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila
Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila
Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila
Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila
Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila
