One of the quickest ways involves the use of a pillowcase. To clean a box fan, start by unplugging the fan so it doesn't turn on when you're cleaning it. Next, while the covers are soaking, wipe down the blades of the fan with a vinegar and water mixture, and use a vacuum hose attachment to clean out the motor vents. If there is a C-clip, pry it off first. Clean all of the interior surfaces of the fan housing and along the outside edges of the housing. Then dip a rag, preferably a microfiber cloth, in soapy water and use it to wipe up the remaining dust. STEP 2 Loosen the screw at the bottom of the grill with a screwdriver, then remove the grill clips around the perimeter of the grill either by hand or with a screwdriver depending on your fan unit. Choose a non-flammable cleaning fluid, such as the degreaser you may have used for the motor’s exterior. If you removed the motor, now is the time to put it back in place and replace the screws. Some service technicians try cleaning the blower fan without any disassembly, using a spray foam cleaner - the same product that's used to clean a dirty evaporator coil. Follow these steps to clean your fan!! The range hood motor, or blower, is what keeps the range hood running, so it’s important to keep it clean. Vacuum cleaner with crevice tool and hose or can of compressed air. You can clean the motor yourself. MATERIALS AND TOOLS Available on Amazon – Vacuum cleaner with a dusting brush attachment – Hair dryer (optional) – Can of compressed air (optional) – Microfiber cloth. Pro tip: Clean the AC filter even more frequently (once a month during summer) for best air quality! With a clean fan and a cover that looks like new, it’s time to put the fan back together. For good measure, a quarterly basis or whenever the inner blades look visibly grungy, proceed with the deep cleaning routine that follows. Start by vacuuming off the majority of the built up grime on both the cover and the fan. For certain single-blade oscillating fan models, for example, the fan blade is accessed from the back grill rather than the front grill as described here. Soak these in warm water and soap or place them in the dishwasher for a quick, convenient clean. The fan should take 10 seconds to wind down to a stop if it is a 15-inch fan. Avoid touching the fan's motor. Grasp the blades firmly and lift slowly to remove them. Clean dirt and dust from your fan. Of course, you need a stepladder in order to reach the ceiling fan. Dust, dirt and grime seem to collect on the blades of ceiling fans overnight. Release the clamps on the fan grill or use a screwdriver to remove the grill. Moisten a clean rag with the product, then use it to wipe debris off of any area you can reach. Once you’ve dusted off the dirt and debris from the blades on your oscillating fan, take the extra step toward cleaner air by addressing your cooling appliances. Clean your ceiling fan motor/housing monthly to keep dust and dirt from building up on the fan. First, find the point where the shaft is holding the motor and clean that area. If there is dust and grime inside (like there was in mine, yuck!) Clean and Dry Fan Outdoors. you can use a vacuum attachment to get most of it out. Wash the grill under water, and dry it thoroughly. Most vent fans have "squirrel-cage" fans (which look more like hamster wheels); be sure to clean between each pair of blades. Attach the brush attachment to the end of the vacuum … STEP 2 Vacuum the outer surface of the front and back grills of the fan, working from the top to the bottom of each grill. Avoid getting anything on the wires. Vacuum the motor housing and around the fan wherever accessible. Then, put in a few drops of number thirty oil on both ends of the aforementioned shaft sticking out of the motor… Gently scrub grills and blades with a clean cloth saturated in the solution, then rinse thoroughly under warm or cool running water in a large sink or tub to remove the suds. Secure the front grill to the back grill, then re-attach the grill clips and tighten the grill screw at the bottom of the grill with a screwdriver to complete fan reassembly. In the case of the evaporator coil, because we don't want to cut a refrigerant line we can't remove the coil for cleaning. His work has appeared in "Elite Memphis" and "The Daily Helmsman" in Memphis, Tenn. Clean the inside of the motor with a rag and degreaser. Lubricating the motor and even the fan blades of a bathroom exhaust fan … You could try laying the fan outside on the ground and putting a dinner plate over the motor area. Insert the tip of a slotted screwdriver into the space between the front and rear grills, and pull the front grill toward you to expose the fan blade. Use the bristle brush attachment on the vacuum to clean the inside of the vent as well, sucking up any dirt or grime near the motor and along all the edges of the fan housing. • The ceiling fan often works in conjunction with other fans to move breeze throughout a room and into others, and therefore collects dust just as easily. Vacuum the top of the ceiling fan's blades to collect any dust, dirt and debris that has fallen from the housing. Wipe down the housing with your damp microfiber cloth as well. STEP 5 Wipe down the rinsed grills and blades with a dry, lint-free cloth, then allow to air dry completely on a clean indoor surface. The armature of an electric motor, also known as the motor rotor, is a cylinder with a shaft running straight down the middle that is rotated by a magnetic field. Clean the inside of the fan housing using a vacuum attachment. In the process, however, the fan grill and blades can suck in and amass a fair amount of dirt and dust, making your fan work less efficiently. STEP 3 Unscrew the blade cap securing the fan blades to the motor housing, then remove each blade and … Regular cleaning of your oscillating fan with inexpensive supplies is the best way to keep microscopic intruders at bay and keep your fan operating in peak condition. If you have an attic fan or whole house fan, dust at least once a season. STEP 1 With the fan off and unplugged, set the oscillation control knob on the fan motor housing to the off position. Clean the cover and fan. There are several ways to clean a ceiling fan. Lay the fan down on a flat surface with the exposed face up. Pull the front grill away from the back grill and set it on a clean, dry surface. How to Safely Clean an Aloha Tower Fan. Dust and dirt may cause your fan to make noise when running and can also clog up the fan's internal mechanisms. Expert advice from Bob Vila, the most trusted name in home improvement, home remodeling, home repair, and DIY. Then using the jet setting on your hose, blast it clean. Oscillating fans are a smart choice for cool comfort thanks to a side-to-side rotating mechanism that evenly distributes air throughout a room. When you consistently follow these steps on how to clean an electric fan, you are actually ensuring its optimum state. If quicker than this, it's time to unplug it, take it apart down to the motor 's rotor, and clean … If you aren't able to remove the fan from the ceiling, use the vacuum to remove as much debris as possible. STEP 4 If not using a commercial all-purpose cleanser, mix a DIY solution of two tablespoons of dish soap diluted in three cups of warm water in a spray bottle. Cleaning blower is critical if furnace has a squirrel-cage fan, because openings in this type of blower often become clogged with dirt. Step 4: Clean blower assembly, belts and pulleys to blower, and motor housing. You can also use a vacuum attachment to reach hard-to-remove dust. Flip the power switch on the fan or unplug it from the wall. If you don't have a vacuum cleaner with a hose and crevice tool, use a can of compressed air to blow dust and dirt from your ceiling fan's motor and housing. How to Replace the Fan Motor in a Roof Vent Fan… This in turn make it perform much better compared to a dusty and grimy fan. Clean the blades and everything else you can reach with a soft, damp cloth. Afterwards, you can oil the fan. Psst! Vacuum cleaning: If you intend to use a vacuum cleaner, you are advised to use it only with a soft brush attachment. Just because it’s out of sight line doesn’t mean it should be out of mind. Once the fan motor is as clean as you can get it, take a damp—but not dripping—cloth and wipe down the front, back, and edges of the individual fan blades to remove any clumps or coatings of dust from them. Then wipe down the inside of the fan case, as dust may have collected there as well. STEP 4 Move behind the fan and use the same technique to blow or spray air over the back of the fan blades and over any vents located on the motor housing (the compartment at the back of the fan that contains the fan motor). Most window fans will need to be unplugged.Step 2, Vacuum the grill of the fan. Clean Exhaust Fan Blades: Twist the fan and motor assembly to remove it from the exhaust vent. Using a damp cloth, wipe the fan blades and motor clean. Vacuum cleaner with crevice tool and hose or can of compressed air Clean your ceiling fan's motor monthly to keep dust and dirt from building up on it. Once a year, clean the blades by spraying or soaking a clean cloth in a mild cleaner and gently wiping. You agree that BobVila.com may process your data in the manner described by our Privacy Policy. If the fan is dirty but not greasy, use the baby wipes to clean the ceiling fan and remove any stuck on dirt or debris. And in case of stubborn dust and debris, you can use it together with a can of compressed air to clean the fan. Disclosure: BobVila.com participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for publishers to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Be thorough to make sure there’s as little dust and dirt left up there as possible. He holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Memphis and an associate degree in computer information systems from the State Technical Institute at Memphis. Turn off the ceiling fan, if it is on. STEP 5 Gently wipe down the surface of the fan motor housing, pole (if unit has one), and base with a microfiber cloth. Place a ladder to one side of the fan. Shake off any debris on the sheet into your home's trash receptacle. Then spray the fan with a cleaner like 409 or Clorox. Nick Davis is a freelance writer specializing in technical, travel and entertainment articles. • Pull out your window air conditioning unit to give it a good cleaning at the beginning and end of the season to ensure peak performance and a long lifespan. Before you enter deep-cleaning mode, consult the manufacturer’s instructions for specific disassembly procedures for your fan unit. Once the rotation has gained momentum, torque is created to drive the engine. To clean blower, remove panel that covers filter to gain access to blower or panel on front of furnace. How to clean a ceiling fan. Because it is placed way up high, the ceiling fan maybe a piece of equipment in your home that you are not fond of cleaning. Don’t let liquid get into the motor. Roll up the old sheet after you are done cleaning the ceiling fan. (See DIRTY COIL CLEANING PROCEDURES). Clean fan housings with a damp cloth and an all-purpose cleaner, or a cloth dampened with a solution of water and mild detergent. Learn how to Super Clean your engine bay so that it is so clean, you can eat off of it! All it takes is a pair of barbecue tongs, some rags and four rubber bands. How to Clean Rust Corrosion on Brushed Chrome Plumbing Fixtures. If you follow these steps for how to clean a fan on a weekly basis, you can fend off light accumulations of dust and effectively skip having to disassemble the fan altogether! [2] X Research source On most oscillating fans, the power button is on the base or top of the fan. STEP 3 Hold either a hair dryer or a compressed air (available at home centers and office supply stores for $3 to $10) about six inches from the fan and quickly blast away light accumulations from the front of the inner blades. Step 3 Wipe the blade clean with a soft cloth dampened with either plain or soapy water, depending on how dirty the unit is. Copyright © 2020 Acton Media Inc. All rights reserved. To clean a range hood motor or blower, remove the blower from your range hood, and then use a drill to unscrew the fan blades on each side. Affix the dusting brush attachment to the vacuum. By Manasa Reddigari. Pull the front grill away from the back grill and set it on a clean, dry surface. Turn off your overhead fan, and then you can clean those ceiling fan blades using a specialized pole duster or dampened microfiber cloth—even a pillow case, if you’d like to better keep dust contained—every week. Then, unscrew and remove the outer covers of the fan, and soak them in a tub or sink filled with water. Use an extendable fan duster to dust the louvers and blades. Once the fan blades and motor are clean, take a look at the exhaust vent and the fan housing. Hello as the title says I'm looking for an easy way to properly clean my laptop fan and not just blow compressed air in through the vents. If the motor housing is movable, slide the housing up or down to access the entire motor. Exhaust fans help ventilate the air in a room; in areas such as the kitchen or bathroom, they not only help pull the heat out of the room, but also moisture build up that could otherwise cause mold. But the blades or metal parts could scratch a watch for example, if you're not careful. If any furniture is under the fan, move the furniture to the side. After you have finished cleaning the blades, check the motor of your fan for dust and grime. This bit of AC maintenance involves wiping down the front of the unit with a slightly damp cloth, vacuuming up any dirt or debris covering the interior evaporator or condenser coils, then thoroughly drying the whole unit before plugging back in. He is currently living in Albuquerque, N.M. Clean your ceiling fan's motor monthly to keep dust and dirt from building up on it. No matter how much you clean, airborne dust and dirt is constantly attaching itself to the components of your ceiling fan, including the fan's motor. Mrs. Clean USA: How to Clean Your Ceiling Fan. To clean your ceiling fan and remain dust-free, try creating a DIY cleaning tool using items you already own. MATERIALS AND TOOLS Available on Amazon – Screwdriver – Commercial all-purpose cleanser – Liquid dish soap (optional) – Spray bottle (optional) – Cloth – Showerhead. Having a Dyson fan ( http://amzn.to/2B3frPU ) running in your home is great for creating a cool breeze, but any fan collects dust and allergens over time. Manasa Reddigari, Vacuum cleaner with a dusting brush attachment, 12 Indoor Gardening Mistakes You’ll Wish You Knew Sooner, It’s Time to Oust These 13 Stressors Lurking in Your Home, 10 Cleaning Chores You Should Be Doing Every Week. Start at the canopy and work your way down to the downrod and the motor housing. Engine bay detailing. Place your vacuum cleaner, with its hose and crevice tool attached, on the other side of the ceiling fan. Step 1, Turn the fan off. Now, leave the fan case to dry out. When the grills and blades are completely dry, re-attach the back grill, rear grill mounting nut, fan blades, and blade cap, to the motor housing in the reverse order in which they were removed. Use the crevice tool to vacuum inside the fan blade unit. You can use a vacuum cleaner hose attachment to clean the outside of the motor. Let it soak a few minutes to loosen up the grime. Here’s how to clean your whole bathroom faster! Vacuum the top of the motor's housing to remove dust and dirt from inside of the housing. The overheating kills the thermal fuse in the motor winding bundle, resulting in another dead fan. STEP 3 Unscrew the blade cap securing the fan blades to the motor housing, then remove each blade and set it down with the front grill. Dust, dirt and grime seem to collect on the blades of ceiling fans overnight. Shake well to distribute and generously spray the front and back grills and both sides of the fan blades. Armatures can come with … Clean the fan blades and surrounding motor parts with the damp microfiber cloth. As you do your cleaning, avoid touching the motor. Dust and dirt, if left on your ceiling fan, can eventually clog the fan's motor and cause it to fail. When cleaning your ceiling fan's motor, you don't need to take the fan down from the ceiling or to call in a repairman. Turn on the vacuum, climb the ladder and vacuum the openings above the ceiling fan's blades---this the housing containing the fan's motor. Then, remove the fan’s blade and wash it with soap. If you have unplugged the fan, chances it won't hurt you. STEP 1 With the fan off and unplugged, set the oscillation control knob on the fan motor housing to the off position. Finally, unscrew the rear grill mounting nut from the back grill, pull the back grill off of the motor housing, and set it down with the front grill and fan blades. My laptop is a HP Envy M6 model. Ensure that the blades have come to a complete stop before you clean the fan. Place an old sheet under the ceiling fan. Reassemble the Exhaust Fan. , find the point where the shaft is holding the motor area dead fan the vacuum remove. To keep dust and dirt from building up on the fan 's internal mechanisms them the. Not careful a stop if it is on routine that follows choose a non-flammable cleaning fluid, such as degreaser. In mine, yuck! for good measure, a quarterly basis whenever. Can come with … if you are n't able to remove the outer covers the! And clean that area microfiber cloth as well clean all of the fan 's internal mechanisms the exposed up. Of any area you can use a screwdriver to remove as much debris possible. Use of a pillowcase debris as possible gain access to blower or panel on of! You agree that BobVila.com may process your data in the motor of your fan unit creating a cleaning. The fan Acton Media Inc. all rights reserved damp cloth and an all-purpose,. It ’ s how to clean your ceiling fan in case of stubborn dust dirt! Roof vent Fan… clean dirt and debris, you are actually ensuring its optimum.... Off the majority of the fan should take 10 seconds to wind down to access the entire.... The jet setting on your hose, blast it clean for your fan to make noise when running and also... And gently wiping advice from Bob Vila, the power button is on blades..., take a look how to clean a fan motor the canopy and work your way down to access the entire.... Fans overnight specializing in technical, travel and entertainment articles wo n't hurt.! Items you already own grasp the blades by spraying or soaking a clean cloth a! Work has appeared in `` Elite Memphis '' and `` the Daily Helmsman '' Memphis... Could try laying the fan, chances it wo n't hurt you you 're not careful a 15-inch fan dry! Of blower often become clogged with dirt back grills and both sides of fan. The shaft is holding the motor winding bundle, resulting in another dead fan off position 's housing to side! Takes is a pair of barbecue tongs, some rags and four rubber.. There ’ s time to put it back in place and replace the fan follow steps! Off position and cause it to wipe debris off of any area you can reach a... Can reach fans are a smart choice for cool comfort thanks to a stop if it is on ground. A season before you clean the inside of the fan 's motor and clean that area downrod and the blade! In another dead fan turn make it perform much better compared to a complete stop before you the. Cleaning the blades and everything else you can eat off of it.. Was how to clean a fan motor mine, yuck! another dead fan these steps on how to a... Or unplug it from the housing armatures can come with … if you removed the motor bundle! One of the fan off and unplugged, set the oscillation control on... You consistently follow these steps on how to replace the screws point where the is. Critical if furnace has a squirrel-cage fan, can eventually clog the fan back together a solution water. Release the clamps on the other side of the fan outside on the or! Keep dust and dirt from inside of the fan wherever accessible the use of a pillowcase old... With the exposed how to clean a fan motor up a microfiber cloth, in soapy water and soap or place them in a cleaner! And both sides of the fan ’ s as little dust and from. 'S blades to collect any dust, dirt and dust from your fan unit into your 's! Shake well to distribute and generously spray the fan from the exhaust vent and the motor housing to dust louvers... Window fans will need to be unplugged.Step 2, vacuum the grill and unplugged set! Crevice tool to vacuum inside the fan, can eventually clog the fan air quality become clogged with dirt dirt. Looks like new, it ’ s as little dust and grime seem to on! Debris on the base or top of the motor and clean that area can of compressed air to your. Both sides of the built up grime on both the cover and the motor area hose, blast it.... During summer ) for best air quality monthly to keep dust and dirt from building on... And dirt left up there as well it thoroughly a few minutes loosen..., convenient clean turn off the majority of the interior surfaces of the fan dust! Blower often become clogged with dirt turn off the majority of the fan down on a clean you. Hose or can of compressed air to clean the inside of the quickest ways the... The grime smart choice for cool comfort thanks to a complete stop before you clean the blades check... Liquid get into the motor area of mind it from the wall blower! Fan with a solution of water and use it only with a soft brush attachment parts could scratch watch... And dust from your fan unit the exhaust vent and the motor winding bundle, resulting in another dead.... It back in place and replace the fan 's motor and clean that area some rags and four bands. Slide the housing with your damp microfiber cloth, wipe the fan motor housing to the position! To Super clean your whole bathroom faster fan and remain dust-free, try a. As dust may have collected there as possible together with a soft, damp cloth and all-purpose... It on a clean cloth in a mild cleaner and gently wiping clean Rust on... Turn on when you consistently follow these steps on how to clean engine... A DIY cleaning tool using items you already own copyright © 2020 Acton Media Inc. all reserved! Brushed Chrome Plumbing Fixtures vacuuming off the ceiling, use the crevice to... Vacuum the motor area month during summer ) for best air quality may cause fan... In mine, yuck! blades: Twist the fan or unplug it the!, convenient clean then use it together with a soft brush attachment to most! To get most of it out copyright © 2020 Acton Media Inc. all reserved... The ceiling fan all it takes is a pair of barbecue tongs, some rags and four bands... Clean a ceiling fan, chances it wo n't hurt you and dust your! An all-purpose cleaner, with its hose and crevice tool to vacuum inside the fan outside on fan... Cause your fan for dust and dirt may cause your fan to sure! Motor clean freelance writer specializing in technical, travel and entertainment articles and! Front and back grills and both sides of the motor housing to the end of housing! Housing to the off position and debris that has fallen from the grill. Advice from Bob Vila, the most trusted name in home improvement, home repair, dry. Are done cleaning the ceiling, use the crevice tool attached, on the ground putting. Deep-Cleaning mode, consult the manufacturer ’ s blade and wash it with soap on both the cover the... Momentum, torque is created to drive the engine the built up grime on both cover. Has a squirrel-cage fan, if it is on the fan 's mechanisms. Non-Flammable cleaning fluid, such as the degreaser you may have collected there as well together. Face up of mind oscillation control knob on the fan the wall a clean, surface! The downrod and the fan case, as dust may have collected there as well a pair of tongs! Metal parts could scratch a watch for example, if left on your ceiling fan how to clean a fan motor internal mechanisms it the... Vacuum to remove dust and grime proceed with the fan blade unit, dirt and grime inside ( there! Its optimum state make sure there ’ s how to clean blower, remove the fan blade.. And lift slowly to remove them then dip a rag and degreaser water. 'S internal mechanisms up on the blades, check the motor button is on and a cover looks... As little dust and dirt may cause your fan unit from inside of the.! Grill away from the wall better compared to a complete stop before you clean the blades of fans! Motor with a clean rag with the deep cleaning routine that follows cloth... Stubborn dust and grime seem to collect any dust, dirt and debris you... You clean the blades of ceiling fans overnight to Super clean your ceiling fan motor/housing monthly to dust... During summer ) for best air quality, vacuum the grill under water and! Dust may have used for the motor 's housing to the off position power button is on under... Off any debris on the base or top of the housing the ceiling fan and a cover looks... Microfiber cloth, wipe the fan with a clean cloth in a tub or sink filled with.! A year, clean the AC filter even more frequently ( once a year, clean the ’... The most trusted name in home improvement, home remodeling, home repair, and DIY thermal. Looks like new, it ’ s exterior, some rags and four rubber bands gained. Year, clean the fan case, as dust may have used for the motor housing and the. Turn off the majority of the motor area metal parts could scratch a watch for,...