How to Clean Ceiling Fans

As seasons change, you may find yourself running your ceiling fans more often to circulate air and cool off a room. The more your fans run, the more dust they collect, and that build-up can lead to noisy operation and, eventually, motor damage.

A dirty ceiling fan can also house dust mites, especially if you've avoided dusting it. When a fan is on, it blows dust and mites all over the room. Dust mites are the most common household allergen, and their droppings can cause coughing, sneezing, stuffy nose, congestion, and eye irritation.

Baby wipes, alcohol, highly alkaline cleaners, and abrasive cleaners are not the best ways to clean a ceiling fan, as they can stain or destroy the surface of the blades.

Simple Green Ready-To-Use All-Purpose Cleaner easily removes built-up dirt and dust without circulating bleach or ammonia fumes throughout the room. The biodegradable* cleaner leaves behind a light sassafras scent.

We recommend cleaning ceiling fan blades weekly to freshen up the room's look and create a more breathable living space.

Directions for Cleaning Ceiling Fans:

Be sure your blades and motor are completely turned off before you begin cleaning. You’ll most likely need a step ladder or stool to reach the fan.

1. Remove dust. Slip an old pillowcase over the top of the fan blade and use it to wipe the dust off the sides, top, and bottom. Your pillowcase will catch all of the falling dust.
2. Repeat. Repeat with the same pillowcase for the rest of the fan blades.
3. Empty dust. Turn your pillowcase inside out over a trash can, and shake it out to remove the accumulated dust and dirt. Then you can wash it as usual.
4. Apply Simple Green Ready-To-Use All-Purpose Cleaner. Spray your Simple Green onto a microfiber cloth and wipe each blade to pick up any residual dust. Avoid bending, breaking, or warping the blades by being careful not to press down too hard.
5. Wipe surrounding parts. Spray more Simple Green onto your cloth and wipe the pull chain and the motor housing and the light bulbs, light covers, or glass shade. You can also spray the housing with a can of compressed air to remove interior dust.

TIP: Always make sure your fan is spinning in the right direction. Clockwise circulation warms a room, while counter-clockwise cools it.

Directions for Cleaning Ceiling Fans:

Be sure your blades and motor are completely turned off before you begin cleaning. You’ll most likely need a step ladder or stool to reach the fan.

1. Remove dust. Slip an old pillowcase over the top of the fan blade and use it to wipe the dust off the sides, top, and bottom. Your pillowcase will catch all of the falling dust.
2. Repeat. Repeat with the same pillowcase for the rest of the fan blades.
3. Empty dust. Turn your pillowcase inside out over a trash can, and shake it out to remove the accumulated dust and dirt. Then you can wash it as usual.
4. Apply Simple Green Ready-To-Use All-Purpose Cleaner. Spray your Simple Green onto a microfiber cloth and wipe each blade to pick up any residual dust. Avoid bending, breaking, or warping the blades by being careful not to press down too hard.
5. Wipe surrounding parts. Spray more Simple Green onto your cloth and wipe the pull chain and the motor housing and the light bulbs, light covers, or glass shade. You can also spray the housing with a can of compressed air to remove interior dust.

TIP: Always make sure your fan is spinning in the right direction. Clockwise circulation warms a room, while counter-clockwise cools it.

 

* Biodegradable formula: This formula decomposes into elements found in nature within six months after disposal into a typical sanitary sewer or septic system.