Ceiling fans do a great job cooling our bodies during the sweltering summer season. Despite their important role in our lives, most of us never think much about our fans until they start rotating furiously while making strange sounds or when they break down completely. Cleaning or maintaining a fan may not be on top of your to-do list, especially if your fan is working fine.
Like any other home appliance, fans require proper care and maintenance to ensure optimal performance. During the summer, you’re likely to be using your fan all day, every day. That means they will collect dust and other debris that can easily impact their performance.
Fortunately, caring for your ceiling fan doesn’t have to be a difficult task; you can do it yourself, and it only takes a few minutes. Here are a few maintenance tips to keep your ceiling fans in great condition.
Check Out for Strange Movement and Noises
Simply paying a little attention and observing how your ceiling fan operates is part of the maintenance routine. Check for weird shakes and movements. The center of the fan should not make any movement or sound when running. If it does, consider rebalancing it. You can use a fan balance kit to do this. One of the main reasons for strange sounds when the fan is running is a cracked or broken blade.
A broken blade can also cause the ceiling fan to move strangely. Check if there are parts missing on the blades and if there is any warped or bent blade. Remove all blades and place them on top of each other. If they fit perfectly, they’re in good condition.
Vacuum and Dust the Ceiling Fan
To do this thoroughly, remove the exhaust fan cover. This should be easy to do as it requires a little squeeze to remove. Some covers can be held in place with screws. You can clean the cover thoroughly with soap and water and dry it before fixing it. Use a feather duster or a vacuum wand attachment to remove as much dust as possible from the blades and other exterior parts of the fan.
Wear a mask and cover the furniture and appliances below to avoid dust settling on them. If you can remove the fan from the ceiling during the cleaning, do so for more thorough cleaning and safety. If you’re unable to remove it, stand on something stable to support your weight and provide comfort during cleaning.
Clean the Blades and Motor
You should clean your ceiling fan at least once every year. The build-up in the dirt on your fan’s blades can lead to an imbalance between the weight of each blade which in turn leads to wobbling and weird noises. Dust can also gather around the motor housing, which also causes a squeaking or rattling sound.
To ensure your ceiling fan is working in optimal condition, clean it more often to avoid dust and dirt accumulation. Start by cleaning the blades with a brush and then use a damp cloth dipped in soapy water to remove the sticky stains. Clean each blade individually and rinse with a clean damp cloth. Use another clean, dry cloth to dry the fan and let it dry completely on its own.
For extremely dirty blades caked with grease, such as kitchen fans, use slightly hot water to remove the dirt. Next, apply an all-purpose cleaner or any cleaner recommended by your fan’s manufacturer. Use the solution to remove all the grease and then wipe with a clean damp cloth and let the blades dry.
Tighten Screws
Ceiling fans are made of different components joined together with screws. As your fan rotates and vibrates every day, some of these screws may become loose with time, leading to rattling sounds when the fan is running. Carefully check all the components and tighten all the screws using a screwdriver. Some of the areas to concentrate on the fan include the light fixtures and ceiling plate. It’s also important to check if there are any missing screws and fix them to prevent problems with the fan in the future.
Lubricate Ceiling Fan Bearings
Most ceiling fans require regular lubrication to operate optimally. You can lubricate your fan during cleaning by using light oil to fill the oil hole on the top side of the fan’s motor. You can check the type of lubricant your fan’s manufacturer recommends or use the oil used in sewing machines.
If you can’t find any information about your fan’s lubricant, consider getting one specifically designed for fans. Avoid automotive oil or any other oil that features detergents. One or two ounces are enough, depending on your fan’s size. Fill the hole until it overflows, and clean the excess with a piece of cloth.
Change Light Bulbs
If your fan has lighting features, you may want to clean the light bulbs with a microfiber cloth if they’re working fine. Clean bulbs can shine 20 percent brighter than dusty or dirty ones. If your fan has some faulty bulbs, replace them. Glass shades also need to be cleaned in warm soapy water. Once clean, rinse and dry them completely before fixing them back. Be sure to tighten the screws to keep the glass in place and prevent rattling noises.
