How To Clean Ceiling Fans
Updated: Nov. 02, 2023
This method is simple, ingenious and cheap. What's better than that?
Time 15 minutes
ComplexityBeginner
CostFree to $5
Introduction
Ceiling fans keep us cool in summer and circulate heat in winter. Unfortunately, they collect dust year-round. When's the last time you looked up? Try it. If your ceiling fan looks like it's wearing a sweater, it's time to clean it.
If cleaning a ceiling fan seems like hard work for little return, Alicia Sokolowski, president and co-CEO of AspenClean, loves this dusting hack. All you need is a pillowcase. Well, that and a few common things you probably have around your house anyway.
Warning: Before you start, turn off the fan switch on the wall and tape it off. You don't want someone coming in and turning on the fan while you're on a stepladder. Then, gather your tools and materials and get started.
Tools Required
- Microfiber Cloth
- Old sheet (optional)
- Pillow case
- Stepladder
- Telescoping duster (optional)
- vacuum cleaner
Materials Required
- Natural all-purpose cleaner
Project step-by-step (4)
Dust with pillowcase
- Place a pillowcase over one fan blade so it completely covers the top and bottom.
- Hold the blade with two hands over the pillowcase, near the center of the fan.
- Pull the pillowcase toward you, wiping the blade on the top, bottom and edges.
- Contain the dust inside the pillowcase as you reach the end of the blade.
- Repeat with all fan blades.
- Take the pillowcase outside, turn it inside out and shake to remove most of the dust.
- Toss the pillowcase in the wash.
P.S. While you’re up there, take a moment to clean your ceilings and walls with this Chomp Wall Mop, too.
Wipe with microfiber cloth
- Dampen a microfiber cloth.
- Wipe the top, bottom and edges of the fan blades to clean any leftover dust you missed.
- Once a month, add a natural cleaner to the microfiber cloth. I use vinegar and water.
Clean the lights
- Dust the glass globes and light bulbs with a dry duster or microfiber cloth.
- Remove and wash the globes if they’re more than just dusty, or have dead bugs inside.
- Make sure the globes are cool to the touch, not hot, when you remove them. Completely dry them before reinstallation.
For fans on really high ceilings: Dust with telescoping duster
- Drape a sheet over anything beneath the fan to protect it from falling dust.
- Extend your telescoping duster so it’s long enough to reach your ceiling fan.
- Run the duster head over the blades and globes.
- If your duster has a movable head, bend it so it will run along the top and bottom of your fan blades, not just the edges.
- Vacuum any dust that the sheet didn’t catch. Shake the sheet outside and throw it in the washer.
