These cleaners contain water which causes the motor to rust and eventually it will get spoiled. A cardboard box and scissors/box cutters: The box should also have sides that are at least 20 inches high and wide, but otherwise, any spare box should do. Don’t let liquid get into the motor. Note that some screws may no longer fit in the expanded holes and will require replacements for a firm fitting. To avoid the dust from going everywhere you can start by vacuuming between the grills with the brush attachment on. ", permanent fixture on the fan. 20 inch Box Fan; 20 by 20 by 1 MERV 13 Furnace Filter; Heavy Duty Tape; Directions: There will be a little arrow on the filter showing which way the air should flow. Dirt on the motor gives the impression that the motor is worn out and irreparable. Step 2 Unscrew each screw with the screwdriver. 20 inch Box Fan; 20 by 20 by 1 MERV 13 Furnace Filter; Heavy Duty Tape; Directions: There will be a little arrow on the filter showing which way the air should flow. To clean your fan, unplug it, remove the outer cover (for box fans and other handheld fans), apply a small amount of soap to a damp cloth, and wipe it thoroughly. You can keep it in a bag or a plastic garbage bag and seal it well. Michelle Driscoll is the Owner of Mulberry Maids based in northern Colorado. How to Clean a Fan Without Taking It Apart? Floor fans. Replace cracked blades. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. TopCoolingFan.com is a participant in the AMAZON SERVICES LLC ASSOCIATES PROGRAM. A box fan can be a lifesaver during the warm spring and hot summer months. But with the arrival of COVID-19, the stakes are higher than ever. Use a vacuum with the hose attachment to vacuum out the motor vents. This article was co-authored by Michelle Driscoll, MPH. Our experts always do experiments with the cooling system. You can remove the fan blade on most fans by pulling (firmly) straight out on the fan blade. It’s an affiliate advertising program designed to earn commission by advertising and linking to Amazon which helps us to maintain this website cost. Ensure that none of the box fan parts are loose as this can cause disturbing levels of noise. How to Install Window Fan (Easiest Method). To clean a box fan, start by unplugging the fan so it doesn't turn on when you're cleaning it. Then, vacuum the grill of the fan using a brush attachment to get rid of any dust and debris. ", http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-clean-store-a-box-fan-f-132097, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/08/how-to-clean-fan_n_1578777.html, https://www.thenourishinggourmet.com/2017/12/diy-air-filter-using-box-fan.html, http://articles.latimes.com/1998/aug/08/home/hm-11069, Please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. This article is based on the 3M MERV-12, 20 x 20 pleated filter and the WEB Absorber Cut to Fit 20 x 25 filter. Step 3 Apply a light nondetergent household oil that is SAE20. Also learned about, "I needed to know if the plug came loose from the fan, I knew I plugged it before but it seemed hard and I thought I, "Easy to understand, and like the suggestion of using Windex with vinegar! Clean the blower assembly. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 64,976 times. Use this guide to learn how to clean a ceiling fan and how to clean fans of various types to keep them working their best. In the tool room, the device removed 59.7% of the one micron sized particles and 86.4% of the five micron sized particles. ", efficiency. ", dust, which really accumulates in those little squares. If there is a C-clip, pry it off first. Thanks for the video. This article was co-authored by Michelle Driscoll, MPH. The fan should always be unplugged before it is cleaned or assessed otherwise it poses the risk of causing an electric shock. There are 19 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Driscoll received her Masters in Public Health from the Colorado School of Public Health in 2016. CFM 101: What is CFM And How To Calculate CFM, Attic Fan 101: What is Attic Fan and How It Works. After that, take it to a table or surface which is at your waist height. Then, soak the blades in mildly hot water for a few minutes. My husband always cleaned the fans, and since he, "Just vacuuming the covers wasn't helping much. After that, clean the fan blades we discussed earlier. Ensure that both the front and back covers are removed. A good quality 3M Merv 12 filter with an electrostatic grid costs about 15.00, and an activated carbon pre-filter costs between $10.00 and $20.00 depending on the brand and design. Before you have your fan working overtime this summer, give it a clean and keep your unit lasting longer. Fill a sink with warm, soapy water and immerse the fan's grills and blade in it, wiping them down gently with a soft cloth. Why should I need to clean my box fan? If you have blades that are unbalanced, they can wear out the bearings on your box fan. Homeowners typically throw these fans away instead of doing what it takes to preserve them. Now, it’s your time to clean your box fan for the first time. You can also use mild dish soap mixed with water and use a q-tip to help you clean out hard to reach areas. Although an oscillating fan can have more complicated mechanisms than a stationary box or window fan, they can be dusted and cleaned in essentially the same ways. wipe the blades with the cloth for multiple time until the blades become clean completely. Unless it is a window fan, don't leave a fan in an open window while it is raining. Spray the vinegar and water mixture or cleaning agent onto a clean cloth. Wedge a piece of cardboard between the edges of the blade guards if they are not firmly attached to the fan and their looseness is causing a rattle. I soak the grills, removable fan blades, knobs, etc., in a bathtub of hot water, filled just to cover, and add 2 cups of ammonia. Box fan use to regulate the temperature in the house, removes odors, dust and other unwanted substances like smoke, in addition to causing stagnant air to circulate. Step 1 Prepare the box fan to be taken apart by turning off the fan and unplugging it from the outlet. Start off by unpacking the fan and making sure that it works. This is an easy procedure and you end up with a fan that looks great -- providing there is some paint there to clean and polish. Start with dismantling the fan -- take off the blade and cage and the oscillator gear box, oilers, nuts, etc. Use a dust brush to remove the dirt that is gathered in the motor. In addition to causing damage to the fan, dust and dirt built up on the blades can blow into your home, reducing the air quality inside. Running fans should not be left unattended while children or pets are nearby. If you have a hose outside, use that to hose off your covers. You can reuse clothes that use to clean box fan cover after rinsing it and wringing out the excess water. After cleaning, the box fan blows air like you have bought a brand new fan. Also, all the things needed to clean are, "Using vinegar will make it a lot faster.". how to clean fan. You don’t want to damage the fan motor. Avoid spraying the mixture directly on the blades. On the other hand, a brand new box fan costs about $20.00. Spray the vinegar and water mixture or cleaning agent onto a clean cloth. Conventional air filters will cost a minimum of $60.00 off the shelf for a relatively small unit. So how did we do in our tests with our “Box Fan with a MERV 13 filter” cleaning device? "I always thought that the fan blade came off like the stand fans. The risks of cleaning your Xbox One’s fan. You can also add a tiny amount of detergent in the rinsing water for the damp cloth if the box fan is really dirty, but be sure to clear free of all the motor and other electrical components. Do keep the screws somewhere safe so that they can’t be misplaced as they are a very small size. % of people told us that this article helped them. Simple ways to remove dust from clean box fans, ceiling fans. Do not let water in the motor or spray it with whichever cleaner. If the blades didn’t clean by using the method we discussed, you can use the next method which will work without any doubt. a box fan; packing tape *It’s imperative your filters are large enough to cover the whole box fan. Simple ways to remove dust from clean box fans, ceiling fans. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. How to get gunk out of the fan motor, so I can lube it properly and not have the oil mix with the gunk and form a glue like substance that makes the situation worse? You can balance a blade assembly made of soft plastic in much the same way as a lawnmower blade by balancing it on a spindle such as a nail and spinning it to see if it consistently comes to rest in a particular orientation, which would mean it has a heavy spot. by Dick Boswell. I got it done. by Dick Boswell . Cleaning a wind machine. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Repairing an electric fan can be tough if the problem has anything to do with the motor itself, which may be dead if the fan makes no noise when it’s turned on and the blades don’t turn at all after cleaning and oiling the pin. Note: For some fans, you can twist off a cap that holds the blades on, allowing you to fully remove them for easier cleaning. Always cover the surface or table with some newspaper to protect it from dirt. Our main goal is to provide the best information about the different types of fans buying guides, reviews, and other maintenance tips. Second: After cleaning the fan so well, to help … You can this fan cleaning method at the end of the summer and the beginning of the next season. Come and check! Box Fans Learn everything you want about Box Fans with the wikiHow Box Fans Category. In the video below we will show you How you can clean a standing box fan, [youtube id=”gkRZBUQCLsg” width=”600″ height=”340″ position=”left”]. The air compressor can be one of the great options for cleaning even the toughest of the dust particles. To learn how to maintain a box fan so it stays cleaner for longer, scroll down! However, these fans collect dust over a short window of time and start becoming less effective at keeping the house cool. Next, spray the fan blades with compressed air until there's no more dust on them. Gently scrub grills and blades with a clean cloth saturated in the solution, then rinse thoroughly under warm or cool running water in a large sink or tub to remove the suds. How to clean my box fan without hiring a professional? By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. So now you have learned how you can clean a box fan most effectively. How often should I need to clean? ", would break it. A mild soap, and water are usually sufficient for cleaning the blower, although a toothbrush may help you to clean the fan blades and the small spaces between them. By using our site, you agree to our. References. Cleaning a box fan only requires fairly simple tools that can be found in most households: Phillips four-way screwdriver; Garden hose with sprayer (detachable shower head with high-speed spray setting) Clean, damp cloth/rag; Vacuum cleaner; Optional: hard bristle pipe cleaner; Optional: can of compressed air or gas duster; How to Clean Your Box Fan No dust everywhere. If you order a fan … It is inexpensive, easy to assemble and based on sound filtration technology. It isn’t necessary to replace your old box fan with a new one. Cleaning Home Hacks Outdoors Organizing Paint ... Lubricate a Box Fan Motor Step 1 Remove the front grill of the fan. Add a drop of silicone sealant to secure the decorative cap to the front guard of the fan if it is too noisy. This dust can also affect the air quality in your home. To clean your fan, unplug it, remove the outer cover (for box fans and other handheld fans), apply a small amount of soap to a damp cloth, and wipe it thoroughly. Thank you very much. Do not wanna take fans apart for cleaning? Make sure that the struts are also well wiped. It pushes away the heat and provides the house with cool air while reducing your energy bills a little. You can choose any of these three methods to clean the cover of the fan. Learn about topics such as How to Clean a Box Fan, and more with our … Though it’s the very essential appliance of your home, we do not invest in the time and money needed to maintain it. Driscoll received her Masters in Public Health from the Colorado School of Public Health in 2016. Clean fan housings with a damp cloth and an all-purpose cleaner, or a cloth dampened with a solution of water and mild detergent. You can reuse clothes that use to clean box fan cover after rinsing it and wringing out the excess water. Looks almost new again! No dust everywhere. Most blades are made of plastic and these cannot be repaired. You can also spray the fan cover with a hose once it’s removed – but not the blades unless you can remove them from the fan as well. Note: For some fans, you can twist off a cap that holds the blades … To take apart the fan, look for the screws holding the front, back and middle together. If you have fewer screws, then at least ensure that the top and bottom of the fan are screwed. Unscrew the tiny screws that hold the plastic covers. Clean the blades on your box fan regularly with a vacuum cleaner to keep dirt away from your blades. You can also use a q-tip soaked in soapy water to clean hard-to-reach spots. If you can clean it regularly, it will serve you for years. Then, unscrew and remove the outer covers of the fan, and soak them in a tub or sink filled with water. After cleaning a fan with a blower, you have to cover the entire fan with a constructor plastic bag (which is much heavier than a normal plastic bag) or keep it inside the box the manufacturer provided. wasn't here anymore, I was puzzled how to get it off. Avoid spraying the mixture directly on the blades. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/27\/Clean-a-Box-Fan-Step-1-Version-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Clean-a-Box-Fan-Step-1-Version-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/27\/Clean-a-Box-Fan-Step-1-Version-4.jpg\/aid573032-v4-728px-Clean-a-Box-Fan-Step-1-Version-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"