Cooler air is important in the middle of summer when warm weather has consumers sweating it out. There’s no reason to give up a comfortable life, though. Having a reliable electric fan blow cool breezes on you can keep you more comfortable throughout the day.
However, that same movement of air might end up collecting dirt and other small particles from the area around your fan as well as from one’s own clothing or hair. Dirt comes with grime or gooey build-up, making it difficult for air to move through properly and maintain certain speeds confidently. But by taking care of your fan in the following ways, you can get better airflow (and hopefully not be as cranky about having to do it yourself).
Cleaning electric fans are important, especially if you want to consider your health. It has been demonstrated by recent studies that the presence of high levels of fans in one’s house can have negative effects on their health. It’s been proven that air pollution, like for example dust and other small dirt particles ends up being captured by the fan unit and eventually inhaled by us through our nose or mouth.
Due to prolonged exposure to potentially hazardous amounts of bacteria and viruses given off by these particles, like viruses for example, which is most commonly found on microscopic organisms such as mold and anthrax to name only a few. One is also at risk of contracting an illness which could degenerate into something life-threatening fairly quickly. This is unless extensive medical care is sought from a professional medical practitioner immediately.
So, how do you effectively clean electric fans at home? Here are some tips:
Frequency
You’ve probably heard that you should clean your fan at least once a month. This is good advice if you don’t have an air purifier, but it can become overkill if you already have an air purifier on the job. Assuming that you have very little dust and debris in your home or work area, there’s no need to clean your device more than once a week.
Also, if the replaceable filter has light to no visible buildup and is not visibly dirty, then cleaning it won’t make much of a difference to its functionality even though the manufacturers would like you to believe otherwise!
If you do find yourself dealing with higher levels of dust or debris in your home on any given day for whatever reason, simply vacuum the blades and housing just as you would any other surface as needed instead of once a week and/or months down the road when it happens to come time for your spring cleaning.
Check The Product Manual
You might be cleaning your fan for some time now, but it would be useful to make sure that you occasionally take a look at the product manual so you can re-familiarize yourself with the pieces of your machine that you detach every so often. And what’s more, please remember that people sometimes forget how to re-attach them safely to the body of the device, so if in doubt about how to put things back together, check out the instructions for guidance.
Cleaning Regular Fans
Every 6 Months, Take 15 Minutes and clean the dirt off of your floor vents by unplugging them, taking them outside, and spraying or hosing them with water so as to dislodge any dust that has accumulated over time. You can use a hairdryer if you have access to one or if the damage is not too extensive.
Then rub the dirt off with a granny cloth or wet vacuum attachments used for such purposes until you have cleaned away as much dirt from your vents as you can. Then give them 15 minutes to air out before plugging them in again for use.
Cleaning With Soap Water
Fill a sink or bathtub large enough to fit your fan with hot soapy water. The warm water helps the soap remove any dirt and dust buildup more thoroughly than cool water can. Soap should be suitable for use around a pool; dish soap is fine if it’s non-toxic. If you plan to put this in the yard, use biodegradable soap – it’s healthier for the plants and cleaner for the environment.
Let all of the components soak in warm soapy water for five minutes or longer if necessary. Scrub every surface thoroughly, paying special attention to areas caked with hardened dirt (like under stickers). Rinse everything off in cold tap water and place components out to dry on a clean towel in an area with plenty of light and airflow, like near a window if not outside.
Every single piece must be completely dry before putting it back together because moisture trapped inside can cause corrosion that dulls product performance and even compressor burnout which could require replacing your entire fan.
Key Takeaway
Oscillating fans and ceiling fans can collect a lot of dust, dirt, pet hair, and other airborne pollutants over time. Frequently keeping your fan clean will ensure you’re getting the full benefit from having a ceiling or oscillating fan in your home; not only will you be able to keep your home at a comfortable temperature, but you’ll also be protected from tracking harmful microbes and allergens around in the air.
You should always leave your ceiling fan on for at least 10+ minutes every day when you get home to catch any before they settle on furniture etc. Oscillating fans are excellent energy and cost-efficient way to move air through open windows while keeping the sun out in the summer months.
