It’s a good idea to clean your window fan often to prevent dust buildup. You can do it with a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment or by blowing away the dirt and dust with compressed air from an air compressor.
If your fan has a cover that you can’t remove, wash it with a cloth soaked in a solution of washing-up liquid and then dry it.
1. Unplug it
A window fan can get very dusty over time. To keep your fan looking good and working well, it’s a good idea to clean it regularly. This can be done in several ways, including vacuuming the fan and blowing it with forced air. You may also want to wipe the fan down with a microfiber cloth.
Before you start cleaning your fan, it’s important to unplug it. This will help prevent any accidents and will ensure that your fan doesn’t get damaged. It’s also a good idea to make sure that the fan is completely dry before re-plugging it.
One way to clean a window fan without taking it apart is to use a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment. This will remove any dirt and dust from the grills, blades, and vents of your fan. This method is easy and effective and can be used on most types of fans.
Another way to clean a window fan is to take it outside and use a forceful stream of water to wash it. This can be done on most fans, except for ceiling fans. The motor of the fan may be exposed, so you’ll need to cover it with a plastic bag or dinner plate. Then, spray a cleaning solution that contains sodium hypochlorite (bleach) through the fan’s grille and blades. After spraying, rinse the grille and blades with a garden hose. Then, let the fan dry in the sun.
Lastly, you can also try using a soft brush or a small, soft bristle toothbrush to remove any caked-on dust or dirt. Once you’re finished, don’t forget to plug the fan back in and turn it on!
2. Remove the grills
Fans are a great way to get a cool breeze, but they can collect a lot of dust over time. This dust can irritate the nose and throat, so it is important to clean them regularly. Luckily, there are several ways to do this without taking them apart. You can use a vacuum cleaner, compressed air cans or even just a dry microfiber cloth. This will make your fan look brand new and smell fresh.
Before you begin cleaning, unplug your fan and take it outside. Lay it on the ground and cover the motor with a plastic or dinner plate. Then, use a cleaning agent that contains sodium hypochlorite or household bleach. Spray the cleaner through out the fan and let it soak for a while. After it dries, wipe down the fan and grills and put them back in place.
If your fan has a back grill, it may rest on a series of rings, prongs, grooves or stationary clips that are attached to the body of the fan. These can be loosened with a screwdriver or other tool as specified by the manufacturer. The front grill may simply be pulled toward you and away from the fan.
If the plastic frame seems to be welded together, try following the seams with a thin blade or screwdriver tip. There are also tabs and other points where the metal can be pryed loose, so this method might be more effective for people who are mechanically inclined. It may be possible to remove the whole frame if there is no metal securing it together. It is a good idea to wear a mask when doing so to avoid electrical accidents.
3. Remove the blades
To remove the blades, open the top portion of the fan (review the manufacturer’s instructions on this step). Then use a vacuum attachment or a microfiber cloth to clean dust from all areas of the fan. You may also use compressed air to blow the dust from hard-to-reach corners. Once the fan is cleaned, you can start to work on the blades.
If you have a lot of buildup on your fan blades, spray them with a cleaner that contains sodium hypochlorite, also known as household bleach. Then let the blades soak for a few minutes before wiping them down with a rag or sponge. This will help to loosen any caked-on dirt, and it should make your fan look new again.
Once the blades are clean, wipe down the rest of the fan with a rag or sponge. Be sure to wipe the grills, too, as well as the feet and power cord collar. You can also use a crevice tool to get into any hard-to-reach spots.
After you’ve finished cleaning the fan, be sure to dry it completely before reassembling it. This is important to avoid electrical accidents. If you’re pressed for time, you can leave the fan outside on a sunny day and let it dry out in the wind.
If you’re still not satisfied, try taking your window fan to a professional to have it professionally cleaned. This will give you the best results and ensure that your fan is safe to use.
4. Clean the blades
Depending on how dirty your fan is, you might want to take it apart for a deeper clean. However, if you want to avoid this step, simply spray some of the cleaning solutions we mentioned above on your fan, and let it sit for 5 minutes; this will loosen up any sand that is stuck on the blades and grills.
Then, just wipe them down with a damp cloth and allow them to dry. This is important, as you don’t want any water to seep into any electrical components of your fan, which could lead to a fire or even worse, shocks.
You can also use a can of compressed air to clean your fan. First, make sure that your fan is unplugged. Then, spray the solution onto your fan and allow it to sit for a few minutes. Then, blow away the dust and dirt that has accumulated on your grills, vents, and blades.
If you want to be extra cautious, you can put on a pair of rubber gloves and gently wipe down the fan using a damp cloth. This will help to keep the sand from getting in your hands, and it will also make the process much more efficient.
If you have a really dirty fan that requires more work, simply remove the fan from the frame, and wash it with some mild cleaner or even soapy water. Wipe it down, and then let it dry completely before reassembling your fan. You can also use a soft brush or sponge to scrub the grills, vents, and blades, and then just wipe them down with a microfiber cloth to dry them.
5. Dry it
The fan blades of a window fan can accumulate a lot of dust over time, which can reduce their effectiveness. A buildup of dirt on the blades can also irritate the nose and throat, so it is important to clean them regularly. To do this, you can use a vacuum cleaner with a crevice attachment to remove most of the dust. Then, you can use a microfiber cloth to wipe down the fan motor components and housing. Make sure to use a gentle touch so that you don’t damage anything.
This cleaning method is best for fans that have not been cleaned for a long time, as it will loosen up any dried dirt. After you finish wiping the fan down, let it soak in the sun so that it can dry completely. Once the fan is completely dry, you can reassemble it and place it back in the window.
Another good way to clean a window fan without taking it apart is to use a can of compressed air. Spray the can gently on the fan blades and grills, making sure to avoid the motor area. After you have wiped down the blades and grills, take a non-abrasive cloth and dry them thoroughly. This will ensure that no water gets into any of the electrical parts and makes them dangerous to use.
Keeping a window fan clean is a simple process that can help improve the quality of the air in your home and reduce dust build-up. With a little bit of effort, you can keep your window fan running smoothly all year round.