How to Clean Ceiling Fan Blades

Clean Ceiling Fan Blades after Cleaning with a PIllowcase.

Creative Way to Clean the Blades on a Ceiling Fan.

Cleaning the Blades on a Ceiling Fan

This is often a chore that often gets overlooked. I’ve made the mistake of not cleaning mine, only to have dust bunnies flutter down on me after turning on the fan on a warm summer night. Ever since then, I make sure they stay clean throughout the year.

The typical way we tend to clean ceiling fan blades is to run a Swiffer duster (or similar) along the blades. Although dust will cling to the duster, it may be necessary to run the duster along the blade a few times. This repetitive motion almost always leads to the dust not clinging onto the duster, but rather ending up in your face and on the furniture and floor. Plus you have to either change the duster or take it outside and give it a good shaking.

Something I read or someone told me about years ago has worked for me ever since, it’s a great cleaning hack.

Use an Old Pillowcase

Now I’ve got to say I thought this was quite a clever idea and all you need is a few old pillowcases, some dusting spray (Endust, Pledge, Swiffer, or you can make your own.) a ladder and maybe even grab your husband to help reach.

  1. Spray the inside of the pillowcase with the dusting spray or directly onto the blade if you prefer. Start at the back and work your way forward.
  2. Cover the fan blade with the pillowcase and wipe it off as you move the pillowcase down the blade. Depending on how dirty the blades are will determine how many times you can reuse the pillowcase as you move along.

Any dust now gets trapped inside the pillowcase. Before washing, take it outside, turn inside out to remove any dust, wash with the other cleaning rags and reuse.

Homemade Dust Spray

If you want to make your own dust spray, it’s easy and inexpensive. Just use the following ingredients and add to a spray bottle:

  • 1 cup water
  • 1/4 cup white vinegar
  • 3 teaspoons olive oil
  • 15-20 drops essential oil

What room your ceiling fan is in might help you choose the essential oil you’d like to use. For instance, if you are cleaning the blades in the kitchen, maybe you would like a more citrusy type of essential oil and a floral or woodsy scent in the bedroom.

Well, how did you like this idea of cleaning ceiling fan blades? Like I said, I thought it was clever.