You’ve been using your fan for a while and the blades are getting dusty. Maybe you can’t remember the last time you cleaned your fan. It may not be high on your priority list, but chances are, your fan really needs cleaning.

Ceiling fans in particular are hard to reach, so they’re easy to neglect. Excess dust can overwork the fan motor and your fan won’t be able to do its job properly. Luckily, cleaning any fan in your home is easy.

We’ll show you how to clean oscillating fans, box fans, and ceiling fans in our complete guide.

How to Clean an Oscillating Fan

Clean the outside of your oscillating fan and the fan blades with a damp towel. Spray the towel with some all-purpose cleaner or add dish soap for a thorough clean. Don’t spray the fan directly so the fan motor stays dry.

Be gentle with the fan blades. If they get bent, your fan won’t work properly.

You can also use a can of compressed air or a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment to remove the dust. These techniques are best for a light clean. If your fan has a thick layer of dust, you’ll want a cleaner or some water instead.

What You Need

• Dish soap
• Warm water
• Screwdriver (optional – for fans with a grate)
• A couple of towels or a microfiber cloth

1. Turn your fan off and unplug it from the wall.

Before cleaning, turn the fan off and unplug it. With any electrical appliances, be sure to unplug them before cleaning.

2. Remove the grate from your fan.

If your fan has a steel grate, you’ll want to remove this for the best clean.

If you need a screwdriver, check out this best seller from Amazon.

3. Vacuum the grate.

The best way to clean the fan grate is to vacuum it using a handheld vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment to prevent scratches.

4. Wipe down the grate with a damp cloth and dish soap or an all-purpose cleaner.

5. Wipe down your fan blades.

Use some soap or mild detergent when cleaning the fan blades if needed. Also take this time to wipe down the entire outside of the fan, including the power cord while it is unplugged as well.

6. Dry the fan blades completely.

Before reassembling your fan, it is very important to dry everything off thoroughly. You don’t want water seeping into any electrical components of the fan, which could be dangerous.

7. Reattach the fan grate.

That’s it – you’re done! Now you know how to clean a fan in just seven steps.

How to Clean a Ceiling Fan

1. Pull out a step ladder from your closet or purchase an extendable pole and attach a duster to the end of it.
2. Turn your ceiling fan off.
3. Dust the top of each fan blade individually.
4. If you can reach the blades, apply an all purpose cleaner or degreaser to a towel and wipe each fan blade. A microfiber cloth (find one on Amazon here) works great.

Clean your ceiling fan every one to two months consistently to keep your surrounding furniture and floor dust-free. If it goes too long without being cleaned, the fan will continue to circulate dust through the air. For weekly cleaning, you can use compressed air to remove dust.

For more information on improving indoor air quality, check out this article.

How to Clean a Box Fan

Box fans are a popular fan for your home. Here’s how to easily clean yours:

1. Use a screwdriver or drill to remove the fan grate.
2. Soak the grate in your sink or bathtub for 5-10 minutes in warm soap and water and wipe it off with a towel. (You can also use a degreaser to break down any difficult dirt or stains.)
3. Spray the degreaser on your towel or just dip it in soapy water.
4. Ring the towel out and wipe each fan blade clean.
5. Wipe the outside housing of your box fan.
6. Use a screwdriver or drill to attach the fan grate back to the main housing.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I clean a fan that doesn’t come apart?

For fans with unremovable grates, compressed air is the best solution. Spray the air onto the grate and the blades to quickly clean off the dust.

What is the easiest way to clean fan blades?

The easiest way to clean fan blades is to use a towel and warm water. Most multi-purpose cleaners work great for fans too if you want a more thorough clean.

How often should you clean a fan?

In general, clean your fan every three to four weeks. This time frame isn’t ideal for everyone though. It will depend on the type of fan, how many people live in your home, where your home is located, and your cleaning habits. 

Personal Fan

If you are using your fan for a single room, it can go four to six weeks without cleaning. If you notice your room becoming dusty, it’s a good time to clean your fan.

Kitchen or Living Room Ceiling Fan

Ceiling fans will need to be cleaned more frequently than fans used in bedrooms or other small spaces. More people will be going in and out of your living room and kitchen, which means your ceiling fan will accumulate more dust over time.

If it goes uncleaned, this dust will circulate in your home and may irritate your lungs. You don’t want it to accumulate on your household appliances either, so be sure to clean fans placed in kitchens or living rooms more frequently.

How do I stop my fan from getting dusty?

Use a furniture polish or light waxing solution like this sweet-smelling Pledge from Amazon. This cleaner is great for any wood furniture in your home.

Is sleeping in front of a fan bad for you?

When fans are on, they move dust around in your home. If your fan blows air toward you while you’re sleeping, it will send dust and other particles your way too. This can irritate the lungs and cause you to have dry sinuses, a sore throat, or other related conditions.

If you want a fan in your room, aim it away from your bed. Place it a few feet away from you to reduce the risk of irritation.

Can I clean a fan with a hose?

Yes, but you don’t want to get the motor or motor housing wet. Be sure that the fan is turned off and unplugged. Then, detach the fan cover or blades. But if this isn’t possible, use a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment. Also, after spraying the fan parts, let them air dry completely outside or wipe them down thoroughly with a towel before further use.

Is it better to have a fan blowing in or out of a window?

If your room is warm, while the fan air may feel nice, resist the urge to point it toward you. It’s best to point your fan outside your room since it will move the hot air out. 

Note: This assumes that the air outside your room is colder than the air inside your room. If that’s not true, point the fan toward you when it’s running.

Do fans make the room warmer?

Fans merely move air. They don’t make a room warmer or cooler. But, you can place your fan near the AC or heating unit or an open window when it’s cool out. This will help circulate the air throughout your home.

Will a fan clean my air?

Your fan won’t remove unwanted contaminants from the air as efficiently as a professional range hood. But, you can clean the air in your home if you both run a fan and open your windows or run it through a filter. Over time, the dirtier indoor air will travel out of your home, replaced by cleaner outdoor air (depending on your air quality).

Of course, it’s not always true that indoor air is dirtier than outdoor air. But indoor air can contain carbon monoxide, asbestos, and other pollutants that are not common to outdoor air. If you’re concerned about your outdoor air quality, you can check it here.

Thanks for reading this article on how to clean a fan. Give it a go! You’ll be done in no time. While you’re in the cleaning mood, check out more of our ‘how to clean’ articles below!

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