The Easiest Way To Clean A Dusty Tower Fan

On a warm day or in a stuffy room, a tower fan can provide optimal cooling power. Because of their design, however, tower fans are more difficult to clean than old-school models with simple, rotating blades. This means that a somewhat unique approach to cleaning them is required. To effectively clean a tower fan, you will need the appropriate tools and materials beforehand: a vacuum with brush attachment, a can of compressed air, a screwdriver, disinfecting spray, and a microfiber cloth.

Begin with a vacuum cleaner with the handheld brush secured. A preliminary pass with this attachment will remove much of the surface dust and debris that would otherwise be spewed around the room. Next, you will need a screwdriver to remove the grate and cover from the fan. Grab a small cup to collect the screws while you clean the fan's interior, and be careful not to force any component when dissembling the fan. Once the fan's inner workings are exposed, a can of compressed air will be your special weapon for evicting especially persistent dust clinging to the small blades. You will want to spray precisely so as not to waste any canned air. Once you are satisfied with the look of the fan, follow it up with a disinfectant spray and microfiber cloth, which will ensure that any germs or small particles of dust are removed. After thoroughly cleaning the fan, you can reassemble it.

An oscillating tower fan that spews debris and allergens around a room is not an option for your health or the lifespan of the fan — as dust buildup will be harder on the motor — so it is important to ensure that your tower fan is cleaned on a regular basis. Before you begin cleaning, remember to not rush this process: dust is easily airborne, and the more frenetic your pace of cleaning, the more likely it is to result in dislodged debris floating in the air (you may even wish to do this messy work in the garage to keep your home's interior clean).

The best tower fans are not always cheap, but if properly cared for, they can last a long time; dissembling, cleaning, and reassembling them, therefore, should be done with the utmost care. For individuals who are daily tower fan users, it is advised to clean them once a month to reduce dust build. Irregular users can go two months or longer between cleanings, basing their frequency on visible dust deposits.