Box fans get incredibly dirty.
And whether you use your fan to circulate air, stay cooled off, or as background noise while you sleep, you don’t want to breathe in all of the dust your fan accumulates.
Luckily, cleaning a box fan is super easy. Here’s how.
The Two Best Ways to Clean a Box Fan
The best way to clean a box fan is by taking it apart and carefully wiping down the blades. Next, wipe down the casing until all dirt is gone. Allow all parts to fully dry before reassembling.
If you can’t get your fan apart, try using a can of air duster or an air compressor to blow away all of the dust.
How to Clean a Box Fan (Taking it Apart Method)
The best way to clean a box fan is by taking it apart and wiping it down. This allows you to get to all of the nooks and crannies for a dust-free clean.
Here’s what to do:
- Unplug the fan.
- Locate the screws holding the fan together.
- Unscrew so that the box over the fan is released.
- Carefully wipe down the blades with a microfiber cloth and mild cleaner.
- Wipe down the box portion of the fan.
Helpful Tip: If there is a ton of dust built up the outer casing “box” portion of your fan, you can clean it off in the sink or bathtub. Simply spray it with your shower head until all dirt has been removed and let it air dry.
If the fan’s casing doesn’t come all the way off, use a dusting tool or damp microfiber cloth to remove the dust.
Make sure all pieces are fully dry before reassembling.
How to Clean a Box Fan without Taking it Apart
If the fan isn’t too dusty, you may be able to clean it with a bottle of air duster. Using an air duster every couple of weeks is a great way to keep the dust from building up. (Make sure you unplug the fan before cleaning.)
If you have an air compressor, you can definitely clean your fan without taking it apart.
Unplug your fan, take it outside or to your garage. Put the correct attachment on your air compressor and then turn it on and blow all of the dust away.
How to Prevent Dust from Building on Your Fan Blades
The best way to prevent dust build-up is to regularly use a can of air duster to blow dust out of your fan.
When you take apart your fan to give it a deep clean, use a spray formulated explicitly for dust like Pledge. This can help repel dust and save you a little bit of time in between cleanings.
