How to Clean a Ceiling Fan, From the Blades to the Motor

The best way to clean your home is from top to bottom, and that usually starts with your ceiling fans. Whether they've been sitting still for months or you've recently used them to circulate air through your home, these fixtures can hold a lot of dust, pollen, and other debris. This means that when you turn your fan on, you're moving those particles throughout your home. Regularly cleaning your ceiling fans will help keep the air in your home dust-free. Ahead, we explain exactly how to get this fixture sparkling.

How Often to Clean Ceiling Fans

Clean your ceiling fans about once a month to limit dust buildup. "The blowing of air one way draws air, dust, and other floating particles into the fan from the opposite direction," says Latoya Parker, merchant of ceiling fans at The Home Depot. "Dirty fan blades and motors need to be dusted and cleaned on a regular basis to run smoothly."

What's more, the buildup of dust can result in poorer air quality, so you'll want to make sure to keep your fan as clean as possible, says Leanne Stapf, COO of The Cleaning Authority. If you notice an accumulation of dust or dirt, clean your fans more frequently than once per month.

Materials Needed

Make sure you have these cleaning supplies on hand when cleaning your ceiling fans.

• Pillowcase
• Lint-free cloth(s)
• Dish soap
• Compressed air
• Extendable duster
• Ladder

How to Clean Ceiling Fans

Once you've gathered your materials, it's time to clean your ceiling fan. Consider cleaning your ceiling fan on the same day you plan to clean the floors. "This way, any dust or debris that falls while cleaning the fan can be easily swept or vacuumed up from the floor, saving you time and effort," says Marla Mock, president of Molly Maid, a Neighborly Company.

1. Dust Fan Blades With a Pillow Case

Keep dust from getting everywhere by trapping it inside a pillowcase.

1. Slowly place the pillowcase over the ceiling fan blade.
2. Use the pillowcase to wipe the dust off the sides, top, and bottom of the fan blade.
3. Pull the pillowcase away so the dust will be wiped directly into the pillowcase.
4. Repeat on each blade.
5. Take the pillowcase outside, shake out the dust, and wash it in the washing machine.
6. If the blades still have lingering dust, go over them again with a slightly damp, lint-free cloth.

2. Clean the Fan Blades

Once the blades are free of dust, wipe them again with a homemade cleaning solution.

1. Create a mixture of water and a few drops odish soap.
2. Wet a clean, lint-free cloth with the mixture.
3. Wipe each blade clean.
4. Wipe the blades dry with a clean cloth.

3. Clean Globe Lights

Many ceiling fans have globe lights, which also harbor a lot of dust and will need to be cleaned along with the blades. Make sure you turn the lights off and let them cool down before getting started.

1. Remove the glass globes.
2. Wash globes in warm, soapy water.
3. Dry globes thoroughly.
4. Wipe bulbs with a dry, microfiber cloth.
5. Put glass globes back on the lights.

4. Clean the Pull Chain

Don't neglect the pull chain and motor when cleaning your ceiling fan.

1. Wipe the pull chain and motor clean with a dry cloth.
2. Optional: spray small amounts of compressed air to remove interior dust in the motor housing.

How to Clean High Ceiling Fans

If the ceilings in your home are high, use a sturdy step stool or ladder to reach the ceiling fan and follow the steps outlined above. Alternatively, if you don't have a ladder, you can also use an extendable duster with a long handle. "Simply extend the duster to reach the fan blades and gently wipe away the dust," says Mock. "Make sure to clean both sides of the blades for thorough cleaning."