Cleaning surfaces is a must in any home.
While many people automatically clean kitchen counters or bathroom surfaces, many people neglect one of the most important places: the ceiling fan.
By keeping the ceiling fan blades clean and dust-free, the circulation of pet dander and other air particles will drastically decrease.
Why Should You Clean The Ceiling Fan?
Ceiling fans can be notoriously difficult to clean without a proper method.
Because they are installed into the ceiling, they are often difficult to reach without additional chairs or support.
When debating how to clean ceiling fans, remember that this is an important step for multiple reasons.
1) Ceiling fan function
Many people don’t realize that a properly cleaned ceiling fan can work better than one that has been neglected.
If a fan is cleaned on a regular basis, the blades can actually move at a quicker pace. The speed of the blades can, in part, be increased when there is less dust and weight holding them down.
In addition to blade speed, the air can be circulated farther.
When dust and dander are removed from the front edge of the blade, it can become sharper. This can create a movement of air that reaches a farther distance.
2) Allergy prevention
Ceiling fans that have not been recently cleaned can gather dust at an alarming speed.
By using an all purpose cleaner like Quick Job’s True All Purpose Cleaner, dust can be effectively wiped off rather than spread throughout the air.
Even using a simple dry duster brush can sweep particles further into a room. When pet dander or pollen is distributed through the fan’s air circulation, children and adults can become sick.
When there are multiple allergens in an enclosed area, red, itchy, eyes and congestion can occur.
3) Less effort when cleaning
Dirty ceiling fans can dirty a room.
By circulating dead skin cells, dander, and dust, these particles can leave a room feeling and looking dirty.
Cleaning a ceiling fan is an easy way to cut back on dusting the entire room.
A typical ceiling fan should be cleaned every few months.
By cleaning on a regular basis, it may be easier to breathe throughout all of the seasons.
How To Clean Ceiling Fans
Ceiling fans are incredibly unique depending on the room, hallway, or outside porch. Depending on where the ceiling fan is located, many people try out different methods until one feels right. Some of the most common methods include vacuuming, old-fashioned dusting, and solution cleaning.
Vacuuming a fan’s blades often seems like the quickest way to get rid of grime on outdoor fans. Since many older vacuums come with several attachments, a suction nozzle can be used to suck up various dirt and other particles. Vacuuming can get rid of many dirt particles, but does not actually clean the blades. Without any cleaning fluid, many air particles will continue to stick to the individual blades.
Old-fashioned dusting usually involves a handheld device that may resemble something out of an old movie. These brushes are meant to be swept across the top of the blades so that the blades are carrying less weight from the dirt. The problem with exclusively using an old-fashioned duster is when particles are swept into the air while cleaning. This is essentially the same outcome as when a dirty ceiling fan is turned on.
Wiping down the blades with a cleaning solution is one of the most popular ways to clean ceiling fans. This method involves spraying solution onto the blades and then wiping off the grunge. Because it is a wiping method, air particles do not disperse into the air. Because the solution is designed for sanitization, the blades are also effectively cleaned.
The Best Way To Clean Ceiling Fans
To get rid of dust mites and other allergens that can irritate the skin, nose, and eyes, a ceiling fan should be cleaned at least once per season.
Depending on how high the ceiling is, you may need extra equipment. A ladder or sturdy chair may be beneficial for this process.
1) Clean ceiling fans first
Before you dust or vacuum the rest of the house, you will want to clean the ceiling fans first.
Since many methods of fan cleaning can send particles flying, cleaning a fan first will ensure that you don’t have to clean the same room twice.
2) Cover the entire fan blade
When removing all of the initial dust, try to cover the entire fan blade to keep as much dust from flying as possible.
By wrapping a towel all the way around a fan blade, you can capture any dust that might fall from the edge of a fan blade.
This can also be done by wrapping a pillowcase around the blade or a long, flannel, cloth that can attract clinging particles.
3) Wipe the entire blade
Wipe each fan blade thoroughly before moving on to the next step.
Going through the entire cleaning process blade by blade will take extra time.
By wiping down the blades all at once, you can use the same materials without having to climb up and down a ladder or chair.
All dust should be removed from each fan blade so that cleaning can be made easy.
4) Apply the all purpose cleaner
All purpose cleaner can remove dirt and grime while adding shine.
Spray twice into a cloth or old fabric and carefully wipe each blade. This will remove any of the residual dust that a dry towel or flannel cloth could not clear.
As an added bonus, many all purpose cleaners have a gentle scent. When the fan is turned on, this faint scent can be distributed throughout the room.
5) Wash all towels or cleaning fabric after use
These particles and allergens will cling to any material that is used during the cleaning process.
Conclusion
A clean ceiling fan can create fresh, breathable air, especially during allergy season.
Fans do not need to be cleaned on a daily or even weekly basis, but they must be taken care of throughout the year.
Periodic cleanings can help both you and your fan with minimal effort.
