Warm weather and ceiling fans go hand-in-hand. The hotter the days, the longer the fans run — and the more that dust collects on the edges of the blades. Unless you want clumps to fling around every time you turn it on, you need to start dusting those blades! We turned to cleaning guru Bob Vila, as well as Marla Mock, president of Molly Maid, to get their expert tips on cleaning your ceiling fans. How often should you clean your ceiling fan? This depends on a few factors, but it's a good idea to check once a week for a month to see how much dust has accumulated each week to help you decide how often you want to clean them. Vila suggests dusting them every week, while Mock says to clean them every other month. Ultimately, it will depend on your home's dust levels. How to clean ceiling fans without making a mess This method involves climbing a ladder. It’s harder, but you can take care of several chores while you’re up there: cleaning the blades, the motor, the fan’s direction, light bulbs and glass shades. Of those, the only chore you need to do weekly is dust. The others can be done two or three times a year or as needed. Before turning off the fan, notice if it’s spinning clockwise or counter-clockwise. If you haven’t done so already, switch the direction the fan spins to accommodate the season. Clockwise warms a room; counter-clockwise cools it. (The more you know!)Slip a pillowcase over the blade, then use the case to wipe the dust off the sides, top and bottom. That way, all the dust stays on the pillowcase instead of going everywhere!Repeat for each blade and remember to press lightly or you’ll damage the blade.When you’ve come down from the ladder, take the pillow case outside, turn it inside-out and give it a good shake so that the dust comes off on the lawn instead of your floor. Then simply launder the pillowcase as usual. This method is especially helpful if your ceiling fan is mounted above your bed, according to Mock. How do you deep-clean a grimy ceiling fan? Grease and grime got you down? If your ceiling fan is near or in a kitchen, grease can really cling to those blades, making it harder to get really clean. Here's how to get them back in good shape, according to Mock: First, you will want to get up on a step stool and wipe away any loose dust and/or dirt from the fan with a microfiber cloth.Next, use a household cleaner (ideally that cuts through grease) to remove the grime from the blades. Rather than spraying the product directly onto the blades, spray first on a damp sponge or cloth and continue to wipe them down until you no longer feel grime.Wipe the blades dry. To prevent a grimy ceiling fan in the future, wipe down your fans at least once a week when greasy foods are being cooked near the fan. How do you clean a ceiling fan lighting fixture? Make sure the light is turned off and completely cooled prior to cleaning.Spray the inside of a pillowcase with an all-purpose cleaner, slip it over the blade and gently pull back towards you to get rid of any dust before attacking the lighting fixture itself.Use a microfiber towel to remove any buildup you may see, while you're up there.If the lightbulbs have glass globes over them, you can simply remove them and wash them with soap and warm water to have your ceiling fan light fixture sparkling again.Make sure the mounting screws are tight so the glass won’t rattle or shake while the fan is on. Some ceiling fans are little less intricate, having just a light bulb in place in lieu of a proper fixture. If your bulb is still working, wipe it with a dry microfiber cloth to remove dust. According to cleaning expert Donna Smallin Kuper, author of "Cleaning Plain and Simple," a clean bulb shines at least 20% brighter than a dirty one. How we chose the best products for cleaning your ceiling fan TODAY.com asked experts for their insights on how to best clean a ceiling fan. We then chose affordable, well-reviewed products based on their advice. Meet the experts Bob Vila is a home improvement guru and television personality, known for hosting "This Old House."Marla Mock is the president of Molly Maid, a cleaning company with locations across the country. Donna Smallin Kuper is a cleaning expert and the author of “Cleaning Plain and Simple.”
