Disassembling & Deep Cleaning
Turn off and unplug your fan. Before you start working, find the power switch on your fan and set it to the Off position. Then, unplug your fan from the outlet to ensure your fan doesn’t power on while you’re taking it apart and cleaning it.
Unclip or unscrew the front grill cover from your fan. Look around the outside rim of the fan’s grill for small latches or screws holding the pieces together. Use a screwdriver to loosen any screws you find. If there are latches or clips around the grill, then gently pry them open by hand or with your screwdriver. After that, the front grill will easily slide off of the fan. Check the instruction manual that came with your fan to find the proper way to disassemble the model you have. If you don’t see any screws or clips, avoid trying to take the fan apart because you could damage it.
Loosen the blade cap to take the fan blades off the motor. The blade cap is the circular piece in the center of the fan that holds the blade assembly in place. Turn the blade cap clockwise by hand to loosen it from the fan, and set it aside. Then, simply pull the blades straight forward to remove it from the fan. Fan blades can potentially be sharp, so be careful when handling them.
Unscrew the back grill cover to take it off. Usually, there are a few screws or a mounting nut holding the back grill to the fan’s motor assembly. Use a screwdriver or a pair of pliers to loosen the screws or nut so you can take the back grill off.
Wipe the grill covers and fan blades with all-purpose cleaner or soapy water. Wet a soft, clean cloth with an all-purpose cleaner or dampen it with a mix of warm water and dish soap. Gently scrub the built-up dust and dirt on the grills and fan blades with the cloth to remove it completely. Once you clean off as much dust as you can, rinse the pieces off with another clean, damp cloth. Alternatively, put the fan pieces in your sink or tub and let them soak in the soapy water for a few minutes to loosen the stuck-on debris. Just don't get any of the electrical parts wet or submerge them in water. If you have trouble getting into the fan’s grills, use the bristles of a cleaning brush.
Let the pieces air-dry completely. Wipe the pieces down with a dry towel and lay them out to dry for about 10 minutes. Make sure the grills and blades are completely dry so the moisture doesn’t damage any of the fan’s electronics.
Reassemble the pieces of your oscillating fan. Start by sliding the back grill onto the fan’s motor assembly, and tighten the screws or locking nut that hold it in place. Then, put on the fan’s blades and screw the blade cap counter-clockwise until it’s hand-tight. Finally, slide on the front grill and clip or screw it in place.
Quick Routine Cleaning
Turn off your fan whenever you’re cleaning it. Before you start working, put the switch or dial on your fan to the Off position and let it stop running. Then, unplug it to disconnect it from power. Give your fan a routine cleaning once a week to help keep it running properly.
Wipe the outside of your fan with a damp cloth. Wet a cloth with water and wring it out completely. Go over the outside of the fan with the cloth to pick up any loose dust that’s accumulated on the surface. Avoid using any abrasive cloths or cleaners on your fan because you could damage the fan’s components.
Go over the fan grills using a vacuum with a brush attachment. Put the brush attachment onto your vacuum’s hose, and turn on your vacuum. Guide the brush bristles in between the fan’s front grills to remove dust from the surface and suck it up. Once the front of the fan looks clean, then go over the back grill the same way. If you don’t have a brush attachment, then hold the vacuum against the fan grill with one hand. With your other hand, put the bristles of a paintbrush between the grills to break apart the dust.
Blow dust out from the fan grills with a hair dryer or compressed air. Position your hair dryer about 6 inches (15 cm) from the front of the fan grill. Turn it on the highest setting to blow loose dust off the grill and blades inside. Then, go to the back grill of the fan and blow the air the same way. Or, hold a can of compressed air a few inches from the grill and spray it short bursts to quickly break apart the dust. Avoid cleaning your fan in a room with carpeting because the dust could easily spread and get stuck in the floor. Instead, work in your kitchen, garage, or yard to stop the mess from spreading.
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