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Struggling with how to clean a ceiling fan from all the dust and grime built up over the year? Know that you’re not alone. 

Dust accumulation on fan blades isn’t just an eyesore but can also reduce your fan’s efficiency and impact air quality in your home. Fortunately as deep clean experts, we here at Vella know a thing or two about how to clean ceiling fans.

In this guide, we’ll help you tackle this common household problem with ease. Using our simple, non-toxic approach, you’ll clean fan blades from dusty to dazzling in no time. 

Necessary Prep for Cleaning Ceiling Fans

First comes safety and preparation. Before you start cleaning fan blades in your living room or bedrooms, ensure your fan is off and stationary. 

Next, equip yourself with essential tools: 

  1. A stable ladder for easy reach
  2. A microfiber duster or cloth
  3. A safe, eco-friendly cleaner

Lay a drop cloth or old towels beneath the fan area to catch any falling dust and debris. With these preparations in place, you’re all set for a smooth, ceiling fan cleaning process. 

How to Clean a Ceiling Fan in 5 Simple Steps

Before diving into the cleaning process, it’s good to have a game plan. When cleaning a ceiling fan, you’re not just wiping blades. You’re also taking into consideration thoughtful care and maintenance. 

The below 5-step process is the arguably the best way to clean ceiling fans in any home. It will guide you through an effective routine for cleaning ceiling fans that are simple and painless.

1. Dusting the Blades: Dust ceiling fan blades to remove loose dust and dirt. This prevents the spread of dust during deeper ceiling fan cleaning.

2. Deep Cleaning the Blades: Moisten your microfiber cloth with a non-toxic cleaner. Carefully clean fan blades, front and back, to remove stuck-on dirt.

3. Cleaning the Motor Housing: With a dry cloth, lightly dust around the motor housing. This area collects less dirt but shouldn’t be neglected.

4. Wiping Down Light Fixtures and Bulbs: If it includes them, carefully clean ceiling fan lights and other fixtures with a soft, dry cloth. Ensure the bulbs are cool before touching.

5. Cleaning Small Components: Finish your ceiling fan cleaning by wiping down smaller parts like the pull chain and blade holders. This will bring back their shine.

Best Practices for Cleaning Ceiling Fans

To keep your ceiling fans in top shape, it’s crucial to adopt the best cleaning practices. By following them, you’ll clean ceiling fans in your home in a way that keeps them in optimal condition:

1. Choosing the Right Tools for Cleaning Ceiling Fans

  • Use a microfiber duster or cloth to dust ceiling fans without scratching surfaces.
  • Soft brushes can also be gently used for cleaning ceiling fans and their intricate parts.

2. Selecting Solutions for Cleaning Fan Blades

  • Opt for eco-friendly, non-toxic cleaners to protect both the fan and your home environment.
  • Avoid harsh chemicals to clean ceiling fan blades that can damage finishes or release harmful residues.

3. A Gentle Technique for Ceiling Fan Cleaning

  • Clean fan blades delicately to prevent bending them or damaging the motor.
  • Regular, light cleaning is preferable to infrequent, heavy cleaning.

How Often Should You Clean Ceiling Fans?

Ideally, dust ceiling fan blades at least once a month to prevent significant dust buildup. For a deeper clean, especially in high-traffic areas, a monthly cleaning routine at the minimum is recommended. Regular maintenance and ceiling fan cleaning ensures it operates efficiently, stays looking great, and protects your home from germs and viruses.

How to Clean Ceiling Fan Blades Going Forward

Like cleaning couch cushions, cleaning ceiling fans doesn’t have to be hard. Keep it simple by doing the following:

  1. Regularly clean ceiling fan blades at least once a month.
  2. Don’t neglect the motor and small components. 
  3. Always use non-toxic solutions and products.

Keeping up with these steps will ensure clean ceiling fan blades as well as a breath of fresh air in your home. 

But, if you ever feel cleaning ceiling fans is too tall of a task, Vella is here to help. Our professional cleaning services are just a call away, ensuring your fans and home stay pristine. 
Ready for a cleaner, fresher home? From sticky floors to pet hair, reach out to Vella for services today!

When it comes to cleaning, your everyday kitchen sponge is a humble hero. But without proper care, it can harbor villains like bacteria and mold

Regular and hygienic sponge cleaning is crucial to ensure it doesn’t become a breeding ground for unwanted microbes. At Vella, we understand the importance of this and we want to share our knowledge on how to clean a sponge using safe, non-toxic methods

Let’s explore the best practices for how to disinfect a sponge and keep your home clean and your health protected. But first, let’s explain why it’s crucial to know how to clean a sponge on a regular basis.

Why Sponge Cleaning is Crucial

An unclean sponge isn’t just unappealing. It’s also a hotspot for germs and bacteria, which poses significant health risks to you and everyone in your home. 

For that reason alone, regular sponge cleaning is a necessity. Like mopping sticky kitchen floors, It’s about cleanliness – yes, but it’s also about safety. 

Knowing how to disinfect a sponge and how to sanitize a sponge is essential to prevent the spread of germs. This is especially true when it comes to cleaning your kitchen where food contamination is a common concern. 

Sponge Cleaning Method #1 – Microwave Cleaning

Wondering how to sanitize a sponge? One effective method is using your microwave. 

First, ensure your sponge is microwave-safe and doesn’t contain any metal. Next, thoroughly wet the sponge and throw it in your microwave.

When it comes to how long to microwave a sponge, the process should be short. Microwave the sponge to kill bacteria on high for 1 to 2 minutes

Does microwaving a sponge kill bacteria? Yes, microwaving a sponge is proven to kill 99.9% of germs. When you microwave sponges, remember to monitor your process to avoid any fire hazards.

Sponge Cleaning Method #2 – Dishwasher Cleaning

Another effective method for sponge cleaning is using your dishwasher. Place your sponge on the top rack and run it through a normal washing and drying cycle. 

This method is particularly effective when it comes to how to sanitize a sponge and ensure its ready for next use. That’s because you’re both cleaning and disinfecting the sponge, as heat and detergents work together to eliminate any bacteria and mold. 

Sponge Cleaning Method #3 – Vinegar Soak

From bathrooms to kitchens, vinegar is a natural and non-toxic solution you can use to clean many different parts of your home. It’s no surprise that it happens to be excellent for sponge cleaning, too. 

To clean a sponge using vinegar, soak it in a bowl of white vinegar for about five minutes. Vinegar’s acidic nature helps to disinfect and sanitize the sponge, effectively killing bacteria. 

After soaking, rinse the sponge thoroughly with water. This method is not only effective but also environmentally friendly.

Sponge Cleaning Method #4 – Boiling Water

Boiling water is another simple yet effective method when it comes to how to disinfect a sponge. This method eliminates bacteria through high temperatures, ensuring the sponge is thoroughly sanitized. 

Just submerge your sponge in boiling water for about five minutes. After boiling, carefully remove the sponge with tongs and let it cool before handling. 


Similar to microwaving a sponge, putting it in boiling water is a straightforward and effective way to clean it. With regular sponge cleaning methods like this, you’ll ensure your sponge is as hygienic as possible.

Sponge Cleaning Method #5 – Baking Soda Scrub

Here’s one more eco-friendly way to clean a sponge: use baking soda. 

Mix a few tablespoons of it with water to create a paste. Apply this paste to the sponge and gently scrub it, allowing the abrasive nature of baking soda to remove grime and food particles. 

This method is excellent for sponge cleaning as it not only cleans but also helps to disinfect and sanitize the sponge without harsh chemicals. Rinse the sponge thoroughly after scrubbing.

Recapping How to Clean a Sponge

These five methods offer effective ways to clean and disinfect sponges. To recap, they were:

  1. Microwave sponges
  2. Dishwasher cleaning
  3. Vinegar soak
  4. Boiling water
  5. Baking soda scrub

At Vella, we’re dedicated to providing safe, non-toxic cleaning services to people like you. Take our clean quiz today to find out which of our packages best fit your needs.