The Ceiling Fan Cleaning Mistake You're Likely Guilty Of Making

Ceiling fans are a necessity in the hot summer months. Their wind-chill effect feels heavenly on heated skin, and using a ceiling fan will let you turn up the thermostat by up to 4 degrees Fahrenheit, leading to energy savings. However, regular use will cause dirt and pollen to stick to the blades, reducing their efficiency. A dirty fan will also allow the accumulated dust to circulate in the room, lowering your home's air quality and leading to respiratory issues. This makes it important to clean the fan regularly. So, don't make the mistake of cleaning your ceiling fan just once a year or season.

Your ceiling fan's location, the amount of dust entering your home, and how often you use the fan will help determine how often you should clean it. For instance, if the fan is located near a window, the environment is dusty, and the device circulates air throughout the year without any breaks, you'll have to clean it more often than someone using it occasionally or living in a relatively dust-free environment.

A general rule of thumb is to dust ceiling fans at least once a week and deep clean them monthly to keep them in tip-top shape. Turn the fan off, wait for it to cool down (if it has been running for a while), and position a ladder (or step stool) underneath. Now, get an old pillowcase and climb up the ladder to reach the fan. Simply place the pillowcase over one of the dirty blades and create a sandwich with your hands while gliding the case end-to-end. This will trap the mess inside and keep it from becoming airborne. You can even hook an umbrella under the fan before cleaning to catch errant dust and dirt particles, which will make cleaning up after much easier.

Once each blade is clean, repeat the process until all the blades are dust-free. If the blades are really dirty, you can mix distilled white vinegar and water in a 1:1 ratio in a spray bottle and spritz the solution inside the pillowcase for a deeper clean. After you're done, take the pillowcase outside, turn it inside out, and shake it free of dust before tossing it in the washing machine. Finish off by applying a dust-repellent solution on the blades to keep them clean longer. Combine liquid fabric softener and water in a 1:4 ratio in a spray bottle, spritz the solution on a microfiber cloth, and run the damp cloth over the clean ceiling fan blades.