How To Clean Hawaiian Breeze Fan

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Tower fans accumulate dust and other debris as they operate. Fortunately, they don't require a lot of maintenance, as most fans are easily cleaned by brushing off the exterior vent and spraying it with compressed air. You only need to pry open the fan's casing if the fan still doesn't work properly or begins making noise. Clean out the fan's interior and grease the bearings to keep your home cool in the summer.

1
Turn the fan off and unplug it. Prevent the fan's blades from moving while you work. Make sure the plug is out of the wall outlet and you are unable to activate the fan again.^[1]
- Cutting off the power source prevents accidents as well as stops dust from getting deeper inside the machine.
2
Use a vacuum brush attachment or dust brush to clean the grill. Remove all debris from the exterior casing, paying particular attention to the vents where air enters and exits the fan. The easiest way to do this without scratching the casing is by using the brush attachment on a vacuum cleaner. Clear away as much dust, lint, and other debris as possible.^[2]
- If you don't have a vacuum with a brush attachment, use a similar soft-bristled tool, such as a dust brush or a microfiber duster.
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3
Blow compressed air into the vent to dislodge dust. Aim the canister nozzle directly at the inside of the machine by placing it directly over the vent. Then, move the nozzle along the vent at a steady rate while releasing the air. Go over the entire vent with the canister.^[3]
- Compressed air is available at many home improvement and office supply stores.
4
Turn the fan on to blow out any remaining dust. Set the compressed air canister aside. Make sure nothing is in the fan's vent before you turn it on. Then, plug the power cord back into the wall and let the fan run for a few minutes.
- To prevent dust and debris from filling your home, run a vacuum cleaner to pick up anything that comes out of the fan vent. Alternatively, clean the fan outside.
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1
Unplug the fan and wait for the blades to stop moving. Always turn off the fan before attempting to open it.^[4] The blades are sharp and can be quite dangerous. Wait for the fan to come to a stop.
- Leave the fan unplugged so it can't activate while you're cleaning it.
2
Remove the screws holding the fan's casing together. Check the front and back ends of the fan for a series of screws. Most fans have 2 to 4 screws, usually above the vent. You will need a Phillips-head screwdriver. Twist the screws counterclockwise to remove them.^[5]
- The number of screws you need to remove depends on the fan's make and model.
3
Pull the casing halves apart with a screwdriver. Try to separate the halves with your fingers first. Grip the top part of the case while pulling the front panel towards you with your other hand. Slide a flat-head screwdriver into the gap between the panels. Work down towards the bottom of the tower, using the screwdriver to further separate the panels.^[6]
- Some tower fans have a top panel holding the front and back ends together. Pry the top panel up first to make loosening the other panels easier.
4
Slide the front panel up and away from the tower. Don't pull the panels away right after you finish separating them. The panels attach to one another through a couple of plastic tabs that are very easy to break. Gently lift the front panel away, leaving the other panels in place.^[7]
- If the tabs break, you will have a much tougher time fitting the panel back in place on the tower. Work slowly to avoid damaging the casing.
5
Spray compressed air into the fan blade to dislodge debris. Bring the compressed air canister nozzle close to the top end of the fan blades. The blades look like a tall, black cylinder that spins inside the fan's casing. Start spraying air into the blades, maintaining steady pressure as you move the nozzle from side to side.
- You do not need to remove the fan blades to do this. Position the nozzle right above the blades and hold it there as you move it.
- Laying the fan down makes the work a little easier. If your fan has a stand attached, consider unscrewing it temporarily in order to rest the fan on a flat surface.
6
Dust the fan blades with a vacuum brush. ^[8] Use a brush attachment on a vacuum cleaner for the most efficient way to clean off the blades. Brush the cylindrical column of blades, rotating it as needed to reach the other sides. Dislodge any remaining dust inside the case.^[9]
- If you don't have a vacuum brush use a microfiber cloth.^[10] You can also use a dust brush, duster, or go over the fan blades again with more compressed air.
7
Vacuum up the loose dust with a hose attachment. Keep the hose nearby as you brush out the inner portion of the tower. If you can, turn it on while you brush so it picks up most of the loose dust coming off the fan blades. Have someone else hold the vacuum hose if needed.^[11]
- If a good vacuum isn't available, clean your fan outdoors to prevent the dust and debris from getting into your home. Brush and blow out the fan blades thoroughly.
8
Spray WD-40 or a lubricant on the fan's bearings. Look for silver or black rings on the ends of the fan blade column. They will be right above the blades, usually on a metal plate securing the blades to the casing. Spray a few droplets of the lubricant directly on the ends of each bearing.^[12]
- If your fan makes a lot of noise, the bearings are most likely the cause. These components are responsible for spinning the blade column.
- WD-40 works well as a temporary solution. For something more effective, use car grease or white lithium grease, available at most general, home improvement, and auto parts stores.
- You usually do not need to take apart the fan's motor to access these parts. However, if you wish to, undo the screws on the top bearing and the motor at the bottom of the tower. Remove the fan blades and motor, then clean them out thoroughly.
9

Reinstall the components, then test the fan. Make sure the bearings and the fan blade are where they need to be. Put them back if you removed them, locking them in place with screws as needed. Reattach the casing, then plug the fan in and let it run for a few minutes.

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Question

How do you clean a fan without taking it apart?

Alicia Sokolowski is a Green Cleaning Specialist and the President and co-CEO of AspenClean, a green cleaning company in Vancouver, British Columbia. With over 17 years of experience, Alicia specializes in creating a healthier, green alternative to chemical-based cleaning products and services. AspenClean develops and manufactures its own line of 100% Natural, EcoCert® certified, and EWG verified™ cleaning products. AspenClean's glass cleaner was voted Parent's Green Pick 2020 by readers of the Parents' magazine. Alicia holds a CPA designation and a Bachelor's degree in Commerce and Finance from the University of Toronto.

Green Cleaning Specialist

Expert Answer

If you don't want to take the fan apart, you can always clean dust from the outside with a vacuum brush or with a microfiber cloth.

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If the fan blades spin but the fan doesn't emit air, cleaning out the blades usually helps.
A squeaking fan often isn't a serious problem. You do need to open the fan's casing, but adding a lubricant to the bearings gets the fan in working condition again.
To keep your fan running efficiently, clean it out at least once or twice a year.
If you have a hard time getting your fan to work, take it to a professional repair shop. It often means the fan has a bigger problem than dust, such as a burnt-out motor.

Things You'll Need

Dust brush
Compressed air

Phillips-head screwdriver
Flat-head screwdriver
Vacuum cleaner
Brush attachment or dust brush
Compressed air
WD-40 or alternative lubricant

About This Article

Article SummaryX

To clean a tower fan, first turn the fan off and unplug it. Then, use a vacuum with a hose attachment to suck up any debris and dust trapped in the grill of the fan. Vacuum the vents on the back of the fan too. Next, blow some compressed air into the grill to dislodge any stubborn dust trapped in the frame. Turn the fan on to blow out the dust you dislodged. To clean your fan's filter, first open the hatch or unscrew the back of the fan to access the filter. Then, remove the filter and bring it outside since cleaning the filter can get messy. Use a can of compressed air to blow any dirt and dust off of the filter. Then, vacuum the filter with a hose attachment to pull up any deeper layers of dust. Finally, rinse the filter under running water to wash off any remaining dirt and dust, and let it air dry before reinstalling it. For tips on how to take your fan apart if you can't pull off the front panel, keep reading!

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