We’ve all experienced the struggle of trying to work, sleep, or rest in a hot home. Whether you don’t have air conditioning or it’s just not working that day, sometimes the combination of no breeze and hot outdoor temperatures can create an indoor climate that’s absolutely stifling.
Window fans are popular solutions to houses, offices, or indoor spaces that seem to trap and retain heat. With a powerful window fan set up in your nearest window, you can create a circulating flow of air that instantly cools and prevents stale air from pooling up. Circulating that fresh breeze 24/7 is a great way to lessen the temperature indoors, sometimes even into the double digits. However, constant use and exposure to the elements means that your fan is likely to get dusty quickly.
Cleaning a window fan is an important part of your home maintenance routine. From regular dusting to thorough cleanings, making sure your fan is perfectly clean improves everything from the air quality of your home to even the temperature of air that your fan blows into your home. The cleaner your fan, the happier you’ll be. However, cleaning your fan is not always the easiest thing to do. Our team has researched the best ways on how to clean a window fan and ensure that it’s thoroughly pristine and spotless, and we’ve used that research to put together the perfect guide for all your window fan cleaning needs.
Why Should I Clean My Window Fan?
Cleaning your window fan is important for a number of reasons. First of all, your fan is designed to distribute and propel fresh air throughout your home. This means that anything that’s sitting on or in front of your fan will also be propelled throughout your home as well, including dirt, dust, and other build-up. The longer that debris is allowed to gather or build up on your fan blades, the more dirt particles are allowed to spread through your home or office space, making general house cleaning so much harder with all the dust settled around the house.
Cleaning off your window blades is the fastest way to ensure that you’re not damaging the air quality of your home by pumping dirt and dust into it. It also helps protect your fan motor from dying. By cleaning out the motor, oiling it, and keeping it dust and dirt free, you’re ensuring that your window fan is healthy and high-performing for a long period of time.
Regular Maintenance Cleanings
Materials Needed:
Swiffer Duster
Disinfecting Wipes or Solution
Microfiber Cloth
For regular maintenance and spot treatment cleaning, unplug your window fan and run a swiffer duster over the entire exterior of your window fan. Make sure that you cover all visible areas of dust and shake off your duster inside your trash can.
Next, take a disinfecting wipe or a rag damp with your favorite disinfecting solution and wipe down the entire surface of your fan. After you’ve wiped it down (paying careful attention to in between the vent slots on the exterior of your fan), take your microfiber cloth and dry the entire surface. Make sure to dry everything thoroughly so dust doesn’t stick to damp fan blades. When you’re done, plug your fan back in and get to work!
Deep-Cleaning – Taking Apart A Box or Window Fan
Materials Needed:
Screwdriver
Microfiber Cloths
Disinfecting Solutions
Swiffer Duster
Dish Detergent
Can of Compressed Air
For more serious deep cleaning, you’re going to need a few tools to help you get started. Look at your window fan and determine what kind of screwdriver is needed to remove the bolts that hold the outer casing together. Unscrew them and gently pop apart the exterior caging for the fan so that the interior blades and motor are exposed.
Take the outer casing to your sink and clean with hot, soapy water and dish detergent. Rinse off all dirt and dust, and let air dry thoroughly.
Next, take a damp cloth and wipe down the blades thoroughly, running a duster over them first to take off exterior dirt. Dry the blades of your window fan carefully and completely, making sure they’re completely dry and dirt free. Use the can of compressed air to clean out the motor; do not put water anywhere near the motor as it could damage it.
Once you’re satisfied that the interior and exterior of your fan is completely clean, take your screwdriver and re-attach your fan’s casing carefully.
How To Maintain Window Fans
Maintaining your window fans requires careful patience and attention in order to keep them in top condition for as long as possible. Your window fan likely runs for extended periods of time, so whenever you can, unplug it to give the motor a break.
This could be during a period of rain or on cooler days when you don’t need immediate air conditioning. The longer you can leave your window fans off on breaks, the healthier their engine will be. Regular maintenance cleaning should take place at least once a week to prevent long-term build up or dust damage. Once a month, you should perform a more serious deep cleaning and fully take apart your window fan in order to keep the motor clean and prevent hair or dirt from slowing down the fan blades.
The Best Way To Keep My Window Fan Clean – The Easy Way
Keeping a window fan clean is a careful and patient endeavor that requires regular maintenance and cleaning to keep it in good condition. If you don’t have the time for more detailed cleanings, you can pick up a swiffer or a regular cleaner to use as a simple duster and run it over the fan whenever needed in order to keep it as clean as possible, and avoid dust buildup.
Following these two methods on how to clean a window fan will help you keep your window fan pristine and ensure that you’re getting the most out of it all day long and all year round!
