How to Clean a Portable Fan Because It Blows Out a Lot
Summer is almost here and you know what that means: it’s time to throw the box fans away and wonder how they’ve gotten even dirtier since you last saw them. Hair, dirt, lint and all other airborne substances build up on the fans over time – and if you don’t clean them, it will all fly back into your face.
The good news is that most household fans are very easy to disassemble and clean, even if you don’t know much about household chores. All you need is a Phillips screwdriver , a small bowl or plate for screws, two rags, and some vinegar or dishwashing liquid. An old toothbrush or small bottle brush will help you crawl into nooks and crannies, but if you don’t have one, a rag will do.
You will be dealing with a lot of dust, so I highly recommend cleaning your fans outdoors. (Seriously, sit on a step if necessary — it shouldn’t take long.) Find the screws holding the shields, unscrew them, and set the shields aside. Store the screws in a small bowl or plate so they don’t roll over you. Use a single rag to wipe off dust and hair from screens, blades and any other dirty parts, blowing off excess to the wind. After you’ve removed the debris, dab some vinegar on a second rag and beat up whatever remains. A few drops of dishwashing liquid will dissolve very stubborn grease, but be sure to carefully remove all soap residues so that they do not attract more dust.
When everything is cleaned to your satisfaction, leave the disassembled fan in the sun to dry. If you don’t have an outdoor area for this, dry it as best you can with a clean, dry towel. All that’s left to do is replace the shields and screws and enjoy the fresh, clean breeze.
Depending on what kind of trash is regularly airborne in your home, you may need to repeat this process once or twice during fan season, especially if it coincides with the season of wildfires and DIY air purifiers , as happens here in Portland. But once you see how easy it is to clean a fan, you will never let yours become hopelessly ugly again.