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Warm atmospheric condition and ceiling fans go hand-in-hand. The hotter the days, the longer the fans run — and the more that dust collects on the edges of the blades.

Unless you want clumps to fling around every fourth dimension you lot turn it on, you need to start dusting those blades! Cleaning guru Bob Vila suggests dusting them every week and offers two options in how to practise and so.

Ceiling fan
OllyPlu / Shutterstock / OllyPlu

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How to clean ceiling fans without a ladder

The easiest method is to utilize an extendable fan blade duster.

  • one. Estilo Microfiber Ceiling and Fan Duster, $12 (usually $15), Amazon

The fluffy part slips over each blade and cleans both sides at the same time.

  • 2. EverSprout 5-to-14 Human foot Flexible Microfiber Ceiling & Fan Squeegee, $38, Amazon

The microfiber part of this fan cleaner tin alter positions to prevarication flat against the top of the ceiling fan. Choose betwixt lengths of fourteen feet, 20 anxiety or 26 feet.

How to clean ceiling fans without making a mess

The other method involves climbing a ladder. It's harder, simply you can take intendance of several chores while you're upward in that location: cleaning the blades, the motor, the fan's direction, light bulbs and glass shades. Merely, of those, the only chore you need to do weekly is dust. The others can be done two or three times a year or as needed. Hither's what to exercise:

  1. Earlier turning off the fan, notice if it'southward spinning clockwise or counter-clockwise. If you oasis't done so already, switch the direction the fan spins to accommodate the season. Clockwise warms a room; counter-clockwise cools it. (The more you know!)
  2. Slip a pillow instance over the blade, then use the example to wipe the dust off the sides, top and bottom. That way, all the dust stays on the pillow case — instead of going everywhere! Repeat for each blade and retrieve to press lightly or you'll damage the bract. (When you lot've come up down from the ladder, accept the pillow example outside, turn information technology inside-out and give it a skilful milkshake so that the dust comes off on the lawn instead of your floor. And then simply wash the pillowcase as usual.) To reduce future dust buildup, Vila recommends using a grit-repelling spray like Endust (or a DIY version: one part liquid fabric softener to four parts water). Spray it on a microfiber fabric and wipe both sides of the blade.
  3. Motor: Wipe the pull chain and the motor housing with a clean material. Spray motor housing with compressed air to remove interior dust.
  4. Light bulbs: Change light bulbs as needed. If bulbs are still working, wipe them with a dry out microfiber cloth to remove grit. According to cleaning expert Donna Smallin Kuper, writer of "Cleaning Patently and Uncomplicated," a clean bulb shines at least 20 percentage brighter than a dirty 1.
  5. Glass globe or shades: Remove and wash in warm, soapy water. Rinse and dry out completely earlier replacing. Make certain the mounting screws are tight so the glass won't rattle or shake while the fan is on.

For extremely muddy blades or kitchen fan blades that are caked with grease, wipe with a clammy cloth showtime to remove grit and dirt. Then apply an all-purpose cleaner, or whatever cleaner is recommended by the fan manufacturer, to a sponge or cloth and wipe each blade to remove grease. Rinse fabric after cleaning each bract and repeat as needed. Then wipe each blade dry.

Now you tin can relish the fresh, make clean air without a second thought.

This commodity was originally published on July 18, 2022.