Summer is fast approaching, and many people are looking for a possible way to cool themselves down. With this, many rely on their ceiling fans to give them the cool breeze that could help them relax.

Unfortunately, many ceiling fans fail to do their duty because they are not in their optimal condition. And yes, we’re talking about that clump of dust that is clinging to your fan.

Unless you intend to inhale the excess dust while savoring the cool breeze, perhaps it’s time to grab your cleaning tools and start dusting your blades.

Why Your Fan Is Collecting Dust

Have you ever wondered why ceiling fans, no matter how hard you try to clean them, still collect so much dust?

Well, to explain how your beloved ceiling fans catch dust, let’s put our scientific glasses first as we explore the wonderful world of science.

According to Neat Ceiling, static electricity happens when the fan blades travel through the air quickly and brush the air molecules to move them out of the way. These molecules will build up an electrical charge on the leading edge of your fan blade, which is why dust particles will collect and stick more to one side than the other.

Health Hazards of a Dusty Fan

If you’re not worried that dust particles can have some hazardous effects on your body, well, let us change your mind.

Some studies believe that PM2.5 captured particles, which include ultrafine particles, can have adverse long-term effects on our bodies. If you’ve been exposed to certain dust particles of air for a long time, you’re increasing your chances of getting sick.

Where you live and the time of day are also factors that could affect the effects of dust in your body. For example, indulging in a robust city life might do you harm in the long run because of its cars that produce harmful emissions, which are considered more harmful relative to windblown dust from the earth’s surface.

If you’ve inhaled dust particles, there’s a possibility that you experience the following symptoms:

1. sneezing
2. asthma attacks
3. irritation of the eyes
4. coughing
5. hay fever

What’s worse is that if you currently have respiratory conditions like asthma, chronic obstructive airways disease (COAD), or emphysema, your symptoms could be worsened by inhaling even small amounts of dust. On the other hand, it’s also worth noting that it’s not yet confirmed if you’ll develop asthma after prolonged exposure to dust.

Some researchers also believe that breathing in high dust concentrations could develop lung dysfunctions in the long term, like chronic bronchitis and heart and lung disorders.

Ceiling Fan Cleaning Hacks

Ceiling Fans on a Standard Ceiling Cleaning Hack

The following ceiling fan cleaning hack can be done if your fan is located on a regular ceiling, ranging from 8 – 10 ft.

• Get your step ladder and pillowcase.
• With your pillowcase, gently wipe the motor housing, canopy, and downrod. It catches excess dust that could be harmful to you and your loved ones.
• To clean the blades, slide the pillowcase over a fan blade, press gently against the blade, and pull the pillowcase back. Take the time to repeat it until all dust is gone.
• Clean your pillowcase by shaking it outside and washing it in warm water.

Greasy Ceiling Fan Cleaning Hack

Aside from the actual process of cleaning your fan, a critical aspect that people tend to forget is the frequency of when you should clean your ceiling fan.

Experts suggest cleaning them at least once annually, depending on where you live. If you live in a dust-prone area, perhaps, cleaning it once a year will not suffice. Also, when grease and dirt start to appear on our fan’s blades, that’s another indication that you should grab your cleaning tools. Well, you don’t need to worry because we have a ceiling fan cleaning hack for you.

Like cleaning a fan on a high ceiling, you need to lay an old sheet on the floor to catch dust particles. It would also help if you set up a step ladder in the easiest way for you to reach the fan.

1. You may use baby wipes in cleaning your fan if it only has dirt but not grease. Gently remove any dirt on the blades with your wipes. Start at the canopy and work your way down to the downrod and the motor housing.
2. On the other hand, if you sense that grease is lingering in the blades, instead of just using baby wipes, dampen it first with a small amount of degreaser or mineral spirit before you start wiping down the ceiling fan.
3. Take the time to clean the fan blades thoroughly to scrub the tough dirt. Also, be mindful when using mineral spirit because it could negatively affect the design or silkscreens on the blades.
4. Finally, gently take the sheet outside and shake it before washing it. Don’t forget to throw your dirty baby wipes in the trash.

Best Practices in Cleaning Your Ceiling Fan

1. Let’s start with the most basic (and the most obvious) one: turn off your fan before you start cleaning it. Some people report damages and injuries just because they fail to do this simple procedure. Don’t hesitate to double-check if the fan is in the OFF position even though it’s not working
2. Even though you’ve been cleaning your fan for quite a while now, it would help if you also check the product manual from time to time to re-familiarize yourself with the pieces you have detached from the machine. Also, sometimes people forget how to re-attach them safely to the body, so when in doubt, read the manual.
3. Take the time to dust from time to time to prevent motor vents from acquiring dust. People often take this process for granted because they heavily rely on deep cleaning, but this process needs to be done if you see dirt, grime, or pollen start to pile up.
4. Another trick by the book that you should consider is spraying your cleaning agent onto a cloth instead of spraying it directly to the fan. With this, you’re increasing your motor’s lifespan as you eliminate the chances of the spray dripping into the housing case and damaging your engine.
5. Another old trick in the book that people tend to forget is gentle pressure handling your fan’s blades. Practicing this technique would prevent your fan from bending or altering, which could damage it in the long run.

The Bottomline

As much as we want to skip the nasty process of cleaning your ceiling fan, it will always be inevitable. But, you don’t need to clean them yourself.

Life Maid Easy’s professional house cleaning providers are ready to assist you with your ceiling fan cleaning needs. So, schedule an appointment with them at 1 833 247 MAID (6243) today!

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