Firstly, make sure your wind machine fan is unplugged. Unscrew the grills with a screwdriver and wipe down the blades with a damp cloth dipped in soapy water. Be careful not to wet the motor as you clean again with clean water and leave to air dry.
Remember those summer days when you felt like you would melt from the heat, hoping for the cool breeze of winter? On days like this, you would reach to your wind machine fan to give respite from the mind-numbing moistness of the day.
This aptly describes summer days in the part of the world where I live. Wind machines are an important aspect of our summer, but with every rotation, they may be blowing more than cool air to you.
Over time these fans gather dust and dirt from the atmosphere, which builds up slowly and begins to discharge in dangerous amounts. Every time you hear people sneeze around you, look around your environment for whatever could be discharging dust.
Most times, your fan is the major distributor of dust in the house, thus, the need for constant cleaning.
Method 1. Cleaning Wind Machine Fan With A Damp Cloth
The approach to cleaning the wind machine fan depends on the level of dirt on it. If the wind machine fan has not been cleaned for a long time, it needs to be deep cleaned.
Regular cleaning is for wind machine fans that are cleaned routinely. Here are the supplies you need to carry out this process
- Screwdriver
- Damp cloth
- Dishwashing liquid
- Clean water
Step 1. Switch Off The Fan
switch the wind machine off by unplugging it from the power source. It is important to switch off the wind machine to avoid the risk of electrocution.
Step 2. Unscrew The Wind Machine With A Screwdriver
Place the wind machine on the flat ground. Unscrew the grills carefully with a screwdriver. Certain wind machine fans have hidden screws, so be thorough by looking out for them.
Step 3. Open Up The Grills
Open the back grill and expose the blades.
Step 4. Wipe Down Blades With Soapy Water
Soak a cloth into soapy water, squeeze and wipe down the blades and grills thoroughly till all patches of dirt are gone.
Step 5. Wipe With Clean Water
After wiping the wind machine with soapy water, clean off with a damp cloth and clean water. Avoid cleaning the fan motor.
Step 6. Leave To Air Dry
Once the blades and grills of the fan have been satisfactorily cleaned, leave to air dry.
Step 7. Reassemble The Wind Machine
After the components have dried properly, reassemble them in reverse order. It means that the part removed last would be assembled first.
Method 2. Cleaning Using A Vacuum And Cleaning Solution
This is an effective method for wind machines that have not been cleaned in a long time or cannot be disassembled. Here are the supplies you’ll need.
- Cleaning solution
- Warm soapy water
- Vacuum
- A clean piece of cloth
- Paper towels
- An old toothbrush
- Warm soapy water
Step 1. Unplug The Wind Machine
Like every electrical appliance, it is essential to unplug the machine before deep cleaning. Disconnect from the power source and remove batteries for battery-powered devices.
Step 2. Disable The Machine
Position the appliance on a flat surface and remove the screw holding up the grills using a screwdriver. Ensure that you locate and remove all clips and heavy-duty knots that may be holding the system together.
Step 3. Utilize A Vacuum
Using a vacuum, clean all the dusty components of the fan. You can also blow the dust out using compressed air.
Step 4. Clean With A Cleaning Solution
Spray a cleaning solution over the blades and grills of the fan and scrub with a moist cloth. You can also mix this solution in a bowl and apply it with a clean cloth. Squeeze out the fabric and wipe the grills and blade.
In the absence of a cleaning solution, you can use grease-cutting dishwashing soap in water and fill it into a spray bottle. Shake this mixture vigorously and use it to wipe the components of the wind machine.
Repeat this process until all parts of the blade have been cleaned.
Step 5. Place The Cap In Warm, Soapy Water
Place the cap in warm soapy water and clean it using an old toothbrush. Using a toothbrush will help you get into the crevices and reach dirt and accumulated grime.
Step 6. Dry All Component
Once the cleaning process has been completed, wipe them with a paper towel or a clean, dry rag. It will ensure that they are not susceptible to rusting. Air dry them in a place with sunlight and breeze for about 30 minutes.
Step 7. Reassemble The Fan
Once all components have dried appropriately, it is time to couple the fan back together. Do it in reverse order, meaning that the part you removed last should be the one you assemble first.
There are different types of wind machine fans, including the tower/blower, pedestal, box, pivoting floor, window, etc. These types may come with slightly different cleaning approaches. However, the principles are the same.
How To Clean A Wind Machine Tower Fan
The tower wind machine requires a slightly different approach to cleaning. You would need a brush that is attached to a hoover. Tower fans are capable of eliminating allergens, dirt, dust, and pet dander which makes them beneficial.
- Unplug the fan from its socket.
- Simply dust off the fans using a soft-haired brush of a vacuum cleaner.
- Use this brush for the grill and the blades.
How To Clean Wind Machine Fan Filters
If your wind machine fan comes with a filter, they have to be cleaned fairly regularly. Here are the steps to effectively clean out your filter.
- The brush must first be attached to the vacuum cleaner.
- Clean the fan’s intake grill to remove any dust that has accumulated. Do not open the fan’s housing.
- Wash the out fan housing with a gentle cloth. Cleaning can also be done with vinegar or some alcohol.
Why You Must Clean Wind Machines
- It Saves You Electricity Bills
It may surprise you that your dirty wind machine is costing you money. The build-up of dirt on your fan means it has to work twice as hard to cool the air around you. Dirt adds to the weight of the blades, causing them to consume more energy than they should. This hike in energy consumption would reflect on your electricity bills.
- Dirty Fans Introduce Dirt Into Your Home
No matter how thorough the sanitation of your home is, once you skip the fans, they always re-introduce dirt into the environment. When you put on a dirt-infested fan, as it rolls, it spews dirt back into the whole place, sabotaging your hours of work.
- It Improves The Air Quality In The House
When a fan accumulates and distributes dirt around the house, it comes with pathogens like bacteria, allergens, and other harmful substances. When a child or a pet is exposed to such allergens, it causes sickness which may be untraceable.
- It Increases Efficiency
Have you noticed that whenever you clean up your fan and blow cooler air? This is because you have freed it from dirt’s weight, which slowed it down before.
Other Precautions To Note
- Avoid getting the fan motor wet. It may lead to the risk of electrocution and can damage the wind machine. You can Place the fan motor far away from the moist area to avoid water.
- Always work in a spacious workspace. You may need to go outdoors for an effective cleaning environment. It would minimize the loss of important components.
- There are different types of wind machine fans. Some can be disassembled while others cannot. It is important to know which type of wind machine you have.
- Cleaning the wind machine outdoors is important to avoid releasing debris and dirt into the house. A garage area is better for this cleaning.
- Some models of wind machine fans have hidden screws that you must unscrew. Not unscrewing them would cause you to force them open, which may break or damage them.
- Place all screws in a place where they can be easily located once the cleaning has been completed.
- Do not attempt to open fans that are not designed to be open. You would only damage them.
FAQs On How To Clean Wind Machine Fans
How often should I clean my wind machine fan?
It depends on where you live and how dusty it can get. While some people may not need a deep cleaning in months, you may have to clean yours monthly or fortnightly.
How do I disassemble my wind machine fan?
Reassemble the components of the wind machine according to the user manual. Refer to the manufacturer’s manual if you do not have a usual manual.
