Cleaning Your Ceiling Fans How to use BKF to tidy up those fans

May 15, 2024

Cleaning your ceiling fans might seem daunting because of their height, but it’s actually quite manageable with the right approach. Still reading? Check out this step-by-step guide:

Cleaning Your Ceiling Fans

Safety First!

First, turn off the fan. It might sound silly, but too many people forget this first safety step. Secondly, do not use a chair, stool, or box to stand on! Use a ladder or sturdy step stool.

Gather Supplies

You’ll need a few supplies for this task, including a pillowcase or old T-shirt, Bar Keepers Friend  MORE Spray + Foam, a soft sponge, and a microfiber cloth.

“Place an old fabric tablecloth or sheet underneath the fan; a shower cap to protect your hair from debris also isn’t a bad idea.” — Good Housekeeping Magazine Ceiling Fan Cleaning Tips

Cover the Blades

I learned this from my mom. She’d take an old pillowcase and slide it over the fan blades one at a time to trap dust and dirt inside the pillowcase.

I’ve heard some people use an old T-shirt. Either way, repeat the process for each blade. Shake out the pillowcase or T-shirt outside to dispose of the dust and dirt collected from the blades. If you have allergies like me, you might consider wearing a mask.

“A ceiling fan that’s covered with dust or pollen might also fling the offending particles around the room, which makes regular cleanings paramount for those with allergies. And if you have a fan in the kitchen, cooking grease can make it a dust magnet.” — Consumer Reports.

Clean the Housing

Spray BKF on a soft sponge and gently wipe down the fan’s housing or motor casing. Do not apply too much pressure or get any into the motor.

Clean Light Fixtures

If your ceiling fan has light fixtures, dust or wipe those down as well. Remove the glass globes if you have globe light fixtures like we do in the front room. You can spray them with Spray + Foam, wipe them, and dry them. Be careful with bulbs; don’t spray them, but you can wipe them with a dry microfiber cloth.

Wash Blades

Most residential ceiling fan blades today are made of quality plastics, although they can be made of various materials, including particleboard, fiberboard, hardwood, and vinyl. Metal blades are standard in commercial building fans. BKF is not recommended for wood products.

To clean, set the Spray + Foam to the foam setting because, unlike most cleaners, it adheres to horizontal surfaces. Rub gently with a soft sponge, and dry with a microfiber cloth.

Inspect and Repeat

After cleaning, inspect the fan to ensure you haven’t missed any spots. Repeat the process if necessary.

Safety Check

Once your fan is clean, double-check that the fan is securely attached to the ceiling and that there are no loose screws or parts.

Pro Tip: If you have a wobbly fan, here’s an excellent article from This Old House. How to balance ceiling fan blades. 

Regular cleaning of your ceiling fan can help maintain its performance and prolong its lifespan. Aim to clean it at least once every three months or as needed, depending on how quickly it accumulates dust. Have you used BKF on your ceiling fans? If so, we’d love to hear from you! Please drop us a note on the Bar Keepers Friend Contact Form.

About the Author

Randy Clark is a speaker, coach, and author. He publishes a weekly blog at Randy Clark Leadership.com. Randy is passionate about social media, leadership development, and flower gardening. He’s a beer geek and on weekends (after COVID-19) he can be found fronting the Rock & Roll band Under the Radar. He’s the proud father of two educators; he has four amazing grandchildren and a wife who dedicates her time to helping others. Randy is the author of the Amazon bestseller The New Manager’s Workbook: A crash course in effective management.