It’s that time of year again when the ceiling fan gets dirty and greasy. You may be tempted to clean a greasy ceiling fan yourself, but you could damage the fan if you don’t know how to do it properly. But don’t worry – we have a detailed guide on how to clean greasy ceiling fans without any damage!
Here, we’ve compiled the most effective techniques like vinegar, mineral spirit, Murphy’s Wood Oil, and others for removing grease and maintaining a ceiling fan. This informative article will help you clean your ceiling fan like a pro!
So, if you don’t want any damage to your favorite summer friend, follow till the end, and your fan will be as good as new in no time!
Important
Before starting the cleaning process, look for the type of your fan and how dirty it is actually. Sometimes, mild cleaning can do the job. But if it is filthy, you may need to follow some other methods given below. Before that, you have to know why fans get greasy. So, let’s get started.
Why Do Fans Get Greasy?
There are several reasons for a greasy ceiling fan. The most common one is that people forget to clean it for a long time and the grease and dirt accumulate on it.
Another reason can be that the air in your room is greasy. If you live near a fryer, this could be the case. Some of it can end up in the air when you use cooking spray and then land on your ceiling fan blades.
Most of the time, grease occurs in the living room or kitchen ceiling fan because that is where people spend most of their time. If you have a ceiling fan in your bathroom, it is less likely to get greasy because the grease does not rise in the humid air as it does in dry air.
But the good news is that cleaning a greasy ceiling fan isn’t difficult. You need to know what cleaner to use and how to do it without damaging the blades or getting electrocuted.
Now that we know how and why fans get greasy let’s look at how to clean them.
Cleaning Greasy Ceiling Fan (Step by Step)
Over time, the fan becomes dirty and greasy, making it difficult to clean. But the ways we will reveal will work like magic on fan grease. So, let’s dive into the step-by-step method of cleaning fans.
Things You’ll Need
- Step Ladder or Stool
- Microfiber Cloth
- Mask or Bandanna
- Mineral Spirit
- Murphy’s Wood Oil
- Paper Towel or Clean Cloth
- Mixing Bowl
- Water
- Dish Washing Soap
- Vinegar
- Screw Driver
Step-1: Set the Ladder
Now that you have gathered all the materials, it’s time to start cleaning. But in this cleaning process, setting the ladder is an essential part of reaching the high ceiling.
Because the ladder is not set in a proper place, then you may fall and get injured. So, set the ladder at a level where you can comfortably reach the ceiling fan’s blades.
You can also use a step stool to reach high ceilings. Be sure to turn off the power to the ceiling fan before starting this process.
Step-2: Remove the Blade
The next stage is to remove the ceiling fan blades. Before that, don’t forget to cover your face and mouth with a mask or bandanna.
However, in most cases, the blades are easy to remove. But if your ceiling fan is old, it may be difficult to remove the blades. So, before you start removing, check the owner’s manual of your ceiling fan.
After that, locate the screws that hold on the fan blade and unscrew them with a screwdriver. Gently pull down on the blade until it comes off. Do this for all four or five blades of the ceiling fan.
Step-3: Clean the Dust
Now that you have removed all the fan blades, it’s time to clean excess dust. You can use a microfiber cloth or an old pillow case.
First, take a microfiber cloth or an old pillowcase and put it over one of the dirty ceiling fan blades. Make sure that you have covered the entire blade with the cloth.
After that, gently wipe down the blade. Do this for all blades of the ceiling fan. It will help you to remove dust easily.
Don’t forget to clean dust from the pull chains and motor housing. If you don’t want to take down your dirty ceiling fan, then you can use a long-handled duster or a microfiber cloth to clean it. Just make sure to dust off each blade carefully so that no dirt is left behind.
Step-4: Use the Cleaners
Now it’s time to clean those greasy ceiling fans. To remove stubborn and greasy dirt, we are giving you some suggestions. Any of them will work on those greases. You must act wisely and choose the cleaning method that suits you.
1. Cleaning Solution
The first method is to use a cleaning solution. You can easily make it using household products.
An effective way to clean greasy fans is by using dish soap and white vinegar solution. Take a bowl and mix equal parts of water, dish soap, and vinegar. Now take a microfiber cloth and dip it in this solution. Wipe down each blade with this cloth until all the grease and dirt are removed. Finally, wash the blades with plain water to remove any dish soap and vinegar solution residue. Don’t forget to use dry paper towels to remove all the residue.
2. Mineral Spirit
If the ceiling fan is extremely greasy, you can use mineral spirit to clean it. Take a piece of cloth or sponge and soak it in mineral spirit.
Now, wipe down each blade with that damp sponge. You will see that the grease and dirt are coming off easily. After cleaning, wash the blades with soapy water to remove any residue of the mineral spirit.
3. Murphy’s Wood Oil
It is such a greasy ceiling fan cleaning solution that you will be amazed at how quickly it removes the grease.
Take a bowl and mix one part mineral spirit with one part Murphy’s wood oil to use this solution. Stir it well so that both the ingredients are mixed properly.
Now take a clean cloth and dip it in the solution. Using that damp cloth, wipe down each blade individually. Don’t forget to wring out the excess liquid before starting.
It will help to lose the top layer of the grime. You will see that all the grease and dirt stuck will come off easily with this solution. Once you’re done, take a dry rag and wipe down each blade to remove any residue.
This method will work on kitchen grease too!
Step-5: Pat Dry the Blades
Once you have cleaned and protected the blades, it’s time to dry them. For this, you can use a paper towel or a dry cloth. Wipe down each blade individually until they are completely dry. It will help remove excess moisture so that the blades don’t get damaged.
Step-6: Reattach the Blades
Now that you have cleaned and dried the blades, it’s time to reattach them.
First of all, make sure that the power is turned off. Then carefully place each blade back on the ceiling fan. Once all the blades are in place, screw them tightly so that they don’t come off while the fan is running.
Turn on the Power
Congratulations, you have successfully cleaned your greasy ceiling fan without any damage. Now turn on the power and test whether the ceiling fan is working properly or not. If everything is working fine, then you’re done!
Note: If your ceiling fan is extremely dirty, you may need to repeat some steps. And always take preventive maintenance.
Warning
Be careful while using mineral spirit as it is a flammable liquid. Make sure that you’re in a well-ventilated area and that the power is turned off before you start cleaning.
Do not use Murphy’s Wood Oil if the blades of your ceiling fan are made of plastic or aluminum, as it can damage them. Also, make sure to test the solution on a small blade area before using it on the entire surface.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Can You Use a Vacuum Cleaner Over Ceiling Fans?
A vacuum cleaner can be a great tool to clean the ceiling fan. Just make sure that the brush attachment is not too big as it might damage the blades.
Also, be careful while using the vacuum cleaner to don’t accidentally knock off the fan. But make sure to use the brush attachment and not the vacuum cleaner head as it can damage the blades.
Be careful while using a vacuum cleaner as it can cause the blades to move, and you might hurt yourself. [2]
Q: Can You Use Vinegar to Clean My Ceiling Fan?
You can use vinegar to clean your ceiling fan, but it’s not as effective as other cleaners. Vinegar is acidic and can damage the finish on some types of blades.
But if you decide to use vinegar for a greasy kitchen ceiling fan, make sure to dilute it with water first.
Q: Is It Necessary to Remove the Blades While Cleaning a Ceiling Fan?
No, it’s unnecessary to remove the blades while cleaning a ceiling fan. However, if the blades are extremely dirty, you may need to remove them and clean them separately.
But for those blades that are non-removable, you can go up using a step ladder and clean them following the steps mentioned above.
Q: How Often Should Ceiling Fans be Cleaned?
Experts recommend that ceiling fans should be cleaned at least once a month. However, if you live in an area with much dust, you may need to clean them more often. Sometimes if you keep windows open all day long, you may need to clean them weekly.
Besides, kitchen fans are a great source of grease accumulation. So, you may also need to frequently remove the kitchen grease from fans to keep the fan serving for long. [3]
Q: Can a Dusty Ceiling fan Make You Sick?
Yes, a dusty ceiling fan can make you sick. Dust can contain allergens and other particles that can cause respiratory problems. So, it is important to keep your ceiling fan clean to avoid these health risks.
Wrap Up
With a little bit of effort, you can easily clean your ceiling fan and keep it looking new for years to come! Cleaning a greasy ceiling fan is not difficult if you follow the proper steps. Be careful while using any cleaners and always test them on a small area first.
We hope that by following the method mentioned above, you will be able to clean your high ceiling fans easily and effectively. Stay tuned with us for more tips and tricks on cleaning different parts of your house.
Till then, goodbye and take care!
Don’t forget to share this article with your friends and family if you found it helpful. Thanks for reading!
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