There are only so many times you can say to yourself, "just don't look up" before it becomes some what of a losing game. Looking "up there" will soon be something you do every few hours while staying at home in Chico apartments. 

So, why are you delaying pulling that step stool out of the closet (hint No. 1) and cleaning your ceiling fan? 

Probably for one of the same reasons other people who live in Chico apartments delay this dusty housekeeping task:

• They don't relish the idea of coming face to face with dust balls. 
• They're unsure which cleaning tool to use.

Or maybe, you just want to learn how to clean your ceiling fan based on how often you (honestly) plan to come face to face with the blades on your ceiling fan: weekly, monthly or once a year. 

Naturally, you can't dodge those dust balls forever, especially with being stuck having to actively not look at them while in quarantine. And you already know that the longer you delay cleaning your ceiling fan, the more dust you're likely to confront – not to mention the additional elements of grime and grease if a ceiling fan is located near the kitchen. Learning some practical cleaning techniques will help you gain the upper hand on these elements –- and give you greater confidence the next time you take a peek “up there.”

Choose Your Dust Weapon Carefully

• A feather duster might seem like the obvious choice, and it can make the job go quickly. But a duster will not clean the crevices in a very dirty fan. And because a duster fosters the buildup of clumps of dirt, they could scatter if you're not careful.
• A static duster or even a dryer sheet are good alternatives. A dryer sheet will catch all the dust and can be thrown away when you're done.
• A spray cleaner used in tandem with a dust wipe, paper towel or microfiber cloth will prevent dust from flying. It's a fine technique for a light layer of dust, but a heavy layer will probably smear on the blades –- and require a second cleaning.
• A vacuum cleaner brush attachment can remove loose dust and cobwebs effectively -– provided that it's long enough to reach the blades.
• Fan blade cleaner sleeves, available in stores, can be replicated with an old pillowcase. It takes time to wet the sleeve and carefully slide it up and down each blade. But it confines the mess –- as long as you keep an eye on the gathering dust inside the pocket.

Other Supplies Needed

• Lay a drop cloth or a “blanket” of paper towels to catch falling dust.
• Protect your eyes with goggles –- a precaution you might view as over the top until a dust clump lands in your eye.
• Use a step stool or ladder so that you can clearly see the ceiling fan blades at eye level.

Weekly Cleaning Method

• “Sideswipe” the blades with a static duster or dryer sheet.
• Use a vacuum attachment if you have the vacuum out anyway.

Monthly Cleaning Method

• Remove surface dust with a static duster or dryer sheet.
• Spray and wipe the blades –- a step you may have to repeat, especially if you encounter grease and grime.
• Wipe the housing and mount with a damp cloth.
• Buff the blades with a microfiber cloth to restore the gleam.

Yearly Cleaning Method

Follow your monthly cleaning routine but then also:

• Dust the ceiling area above the ceiling fan and the support pole.
• Open the motor compartment and remove dust with a vacuum hose attachment or with some canned air.
• Remove the fixture and/or globes and wash them with warm, soapy water.  

You may already know that your ceiling fan does more than keep your Chico apartment cool in the summer, when it runs in a counterclockwise direction. In the winter, you can reverse the spin of the blades so they turn in a clockwise direction to push warm air down from the ceiling. At all times of the year, keep your fan running to reduce the buildup of dust –- and so that it remains visually appealing when you, and hopefully soon-to-be other people, look “up there.”

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