Just like ceiling fans, a wall fan is a common sight in many Singaporean homes, because it provides an economical source of ventilation and cooling (as compared to air-conditioners). However, over time, dust and dirt can accumulate on the fan blades and grille, affecting its performance and air quality.
How often should I clean a wall fan?
Weekly. Yes, you should clean it once a week on average. Although, for residential units situated on lower floors, or near construction areas, you should do the wipe-down every 3-4 days. On the other hand, for wall fan users who use the fan only once a week and already maintain a weekly home cleaning schedule, they may clean wall fans once a fortnight.
Regardless, regular wall fan cleaning is essential to maintain the efficiency and longevity of your appliance.
Without further ado, let MEIDE Singapore guide you through the step-by-step process of cleaning a wall fan efficiently, ensuring a cleaner and healthier living space.
Step 1: Heed Wall Fan Cleaning Safety Precautions
Before you start cleaning, ensure the wall fan is turned off and unplugged from the electrical outlet.
Next, whip out the instruction manual (here is an example) and read their instructions on how to clean, maintain and dismantle the appliance. Don’t be lazy and skip this!
Remember, although we want you to be fast in cleaning, these safety precautions cannot be ignored. Lest, it becomes more haste, less speed.
Also, if you cannot reach it, always use a stable and secure step stool or ladder to reach the fan safely. All these prevent accidents while you’re cleaning the wall fan blades, grille, and components.
Step 2: Gather Cleaning Supplies
Experienced cleaners always gather their supplies and tools beforehand. Quickly, collect the necessary cleaning equipment via our list here:
- Old newspapers;
- Tools like screwdriver (flat head) for dismantling;
- Compressed air (in a bottle sold at hardware or DIY stores);
- A soft brush;
- Vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment;
- A microfiber cloth;
- A bucket of warm soapy water (using mild detergent) – ideally large enough to fit your entire fan in it (use a kid’s bathtub if necessary);
- Dishwashing soap or detergent;
- CIF and Baking Soda Powder;
- A soft bristle brush or old toothbrush;
- Several drying cotton cloths.
Viola! You are ready to start!
Step 3A: Dust Down the Fan Blades and Grille
To start off, lay out the old newspaper over your surface to prevent dust from flying all around. It makes packing up much easier later on.
Then, before you dismantle (if you plan to do so), do a preliminary dusting via your soft brush or vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment.
This will remove loose dust from the fan blades and grille. This initial step helps to prevent dust from spreading around while you clean the wall fan onto the next step.
Step 3b: How To Dismantle The Wall Fan
This step is recommended for deep and thorough wall fan cleaning. However, for certain appliances it may not be feasible. Also, for the unacquainted, it can take time and extra effort to learn and do.
If you are ready, let us proceed:
First, always follow the instruction manual to dismantle the fan as required. In general, wall fans can be dismantled via this method:
- Unclip the latch holding the front and back grates;
- Slowly detach the front grate – it may take a while with dust and rust around, and look out for additional clips, hooks or attachments when doing so;
- Be careful not to use too much force or risk breaking the clips and attachments;
(Note: if you have not cleaned your fan for a long time, or your fan is old or rusty, the clips and attachments may already be fragile and break regardless.)
- Unscrew the front holder that is locking the fan blades in place – this front holder is usually situated right in the middle and can be unscrewed out;
- Gently remove the blade(s);
- Unscrew the remaining locks, screws and attachments that are holding the back grate now;
- Be sure to count each item and not lose the small screws, holder(s) and clip(s)!
Note that this is just a general dismantling guide and not guaranteed to work for every wall fan as it depends on varying brands and models.
Step 4: Cleaning the Blades, Grille, and Components
Place all your wall fan parts into the pail or bathtub that you have filled with dish soap and water.
Then, one by one, remove each part to wipe them down. Oh, and prepare a “drying area” with your cotton cloth to place the items you have already wiped down.
To wipe down, dampen a microfiber cloth with the warm soapy water and wring out excess moisture. Wipe down each fan blade and the grille to remove dirt and grime. Apply extra detergent, or use special fluids like CIF or add some baking soda powder if there are stubborn stains.
For hard-to-reach areas, use a soft bristle brush or old toothbrush, dipped in the soapy water to scrub gently. Be cautious not to let water seep into the motor or electrical components.
Remember, start each cleaning smoothly and gently to avoid appliance damage.
Step 5: Cleaning the Motor Housing and Cables
Fifthly, in this step, use cloth that is damp and NOT soaked or too wet. We are now going to clean more delicate and hazardous parts of the wall fan. What are they?
Well, whilst cleaning the blades and grille, don’t forget to clean the motor housing! Use your damp cloth to wipe down the housing and remove any dust or dirt that may have accumulated.
In fact, most wall fans come with a long electrical cable to connect it to a wall power socket. These rubber cables accumulate lots of dust too. So wipe them down a few times to get rid of the dust bunnies.
Step 6: Rinse and Dry
You are almost done!
After cleaning, use a separate damp cloth to rinse off any soapy residue from the blades, grille, and housing. Then, use a dry cloth to wipe down the fan components to ensure they are completely dry.
Step 7: Reassemble and Test
Once you are sure everything is fully dry, reassemble the fan components carefully. Make sure all parts are properly aligned and securely attached. Plug in the fan and turn it on at low speed first to test its performance. If you notice any unusual noises or vibrations, turn off the fan immediately and check for any loose parts.
Technically, this is not part of cleaning. But safety is of utmost importance, so we have included it in this wall fan cleaning guide.
Congratulations, you have completed your first efficient wall fan cleaning process!
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Final Note To Our 7-Step Wall Fan Cleaning Guide
Cleaning a wall fan quickly and efficiently not only improves its performance but also contributes to a healthier indoor environment. By following these steps, you can easily maintain the cleanliness and functionality of your wall fan.
Remember, air conditioning can be used in conjunction with your wall fan to keep you cool, comfortable, and enhance the overall air quality of your living space without breaking your electricity bill!
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