Yes, especially after seeing those dust bunnies go floating down after wiping off the blades. Eew! I must remind myself to do this task more frequently.
It is surprising how much filth accumulates on our ceiling fans. A tip: put a pillowcase over each blade and pull off the dust. It will stay inside the pillowcase and not rain down on you. Then you can finish cleaning the blades with much less yuck.
Ooh, I’ll have to try that next time! I have one of those handheld ceiling fan cleaning tools with a removable microfiber covering. It is good for retaining dust collected from the fan. . . up to a point. After that, alas, the dust begins to rain down. Thanks for the tip!
No, I'm with you. I clean my desk fan before summer each year just because the thought of the year's fifth whizzing around and getting chucked into my face disgusts me, but the air flow is an interesting thing too.
I cleaned a fan yesterday and basked in the flow. Last used in the basement to move wet air from minor flooding to dehumidifier, the cage and blades were lightly coated with manky basement-scented lint from the dryer. Ten minutes later, a clean cool breeze. Bravo!
How fun! I've been planning on buying a handheld anemometer for mapping the air flow in my house to install air-return ducting, and now I'm very excited to test your hypothesis!
You're absolutely right about the aerodynamics. We're taught that an airplane isn't ready to fly if there's the slightest hint of frost on the wings, and we go to great lengths to avoid accumulating ice in flight because it's so dangerous. There's actually a technical term for the effect such contamination has on the air meeting an airfoil.
Burbling.
That's right -- pilots, aeronautical engineers, and other Very High Ego flyboy types discuss "burbling" with straight faces.
Addendum: use a MERV 11 or higher filter in your home HVAC system. Remember to change them every 3-6 months; more often if your allergy symptoms flair. In addition set your HVAC fan to ON so the air is constantly filtered. Keeps the air and home cleaner.
This is not about you fan post, but I had to share this if case you are not aware of it. I am sitting here watching an episode of Podcast of the Lotus Eaters, Carl Benjamin’s channel. He has two guests discussing how Sadiq Khan, mayor of London, has launched an “anti-misogyny campaign” as his brilliant 🤡 latest strategy for fighting crime. One of Carl’s two guests is Helen Dale, an Australian dissident lawyer (aka based broad!). Just a few minutes in, she not just quoted you but tried to do it in your own voice. “Mommy tone”. LOL! She’s obviously a fan!
Helen Dale is a friend of mine who has been on my show. Her writing, and the writing she features from Lorenzo Warby, is really good. I think people who like my stuff would like her Substack.
Thanks for the reminder. We don't have AC and rely on fans to keep the house relatively cool during the three to four weeks of summer we get. I use the poor man's AC method by placing bowls of ice (water frozen - and refrozen - in a large bowl) in front of a couple of the fans to cool things down. Plus all shades drawn during the day to keep the sun from heating up.
Great timing on this one: I dusted the ceiling fans yesterday, and removing that accumulated gunk does make a difference!
Right? And isn't it surprisingly satisfying, more than you'd think?
Yes, especially after seeing those dust bunnies go floating down after wiping off the blades. Eew! I must remind myself to do this task more frequently.
It is surprising how much filth accumulates on our ceiling fans. A tip: put a pillowcase over each blade and pull off the dust. It will stay inside the pillowcase and not rain down on you. Then you can finish cleaning the blades with much less yuck.
I love housekeeping tips. I will 'collect 'em all.' Feel free to disgorge all your domestic secrets.
Ooh, I’ll have to try that next time! I have one of those handheld ceiling fan cleaning tools with a removable microfiber covering. It is good for retaining dust collected from the fan. . . up to a point. After that, alas, the dust begins to rain down. Thanks for the tip!
"Local fan sellers hate him!"
No, I'm with you. I clean my desk fan before summer each year just because the thought of the year's fifth whizzing around and getting chucked into my face disgusts me, but the air flow is an interesting thing too.
😂
I cleaned a fan yesterday and basked in the flow. Last used in the basement to move wet air from minor flooding to dehumidifier, the cage and blades were lightly coated with manky basement-scented lint from the dryer. Ten minutes later, a clean cool breeze. Bravo!
How fun! I've been planning on buying a handheld anemometer for mapping the air flow in my house to install air-return ducting, and now I'm very excited to test your hypothesis!
Really?
Yes. Lots of conflicting opinions on r/hvac but I was considering this linked one (apologies if link doesn’t work). Worst reviews are on inaccurate temp and humidity readings. Just need velocity. Also nowhere close to hitting “purchase” - lots more to research. Just noticed under 200 reviews on this linked one. https://www.amazon.com/BTMETER-Anemometer-BT-866A-Handheld-Humidity/dp/B07RXHFF8G/ref=mp_s_a_1_12?adgrpid=56734559940&hvadid=589894057407&hvdev=m&hvlocphy=9004586&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=12101025717399823203&hvtargid=kwd-366755913117&hydadcr=10879_13501137&keywords=cfm+anemometer&qid=1690555878&sr=8-12
A true nerd, noice!
Ha. My dad does this every summer. I've only done it once I think but felt stupid I hadn't ever tried it before
You're absolutely right about the aerodynamics. We're taught that an airplane isn't ready to fly if there's the slightest hint of frost on the wings, and we go to great lengths to avoid accumulating ice in flight because it's so dangerous. There's actually a technical term for the effect such contamination has on the air meeting an airfoil.
Burbling.
That's right -- pilots, aeronautical engineers, and other Very High Ego flyboy types discuss "burbling" with straight faces.
I love these random posts of yours.
No box fan to clean but this did remind me to clean my ceiling fans!
The best one weird trick ever!
Addendum: use a MERV 11 or higher filter in your home HVAC system. Remember to change them every 3-6 months; more often if your allergy symptoms flair. In addition set your HVAC fan to ON so the air is constantly filtered. Keeps the air and home cleaner.
This is not about you fan post, but I had to share this if case you are not aware of it. I am sitting here watching an episode of Podcast of the Lotus Eaters, Carl Benjamin’s channel. He has two guests discussing how Sadiq Khan, mayor of London, has launched an “anti-misogyny campaign” as his brilliant 🤡 latest strategy for fighting crime. One of Carl’s two guests is Helen Dale, an Australian dissident lawyer (aka based broad!). Just a few minutes in, she not just quoted you but tried to do it in your own voice. “Mommy tone”. LOL! She’s obviously a fan!
https://youtu.be/ZHgKxcEZqIA
Haha, I just heard that!
Helen Dale is a friend of mine who has been on my show. Her writing, and the writing she features from Lorenzo Warby, is really good. I think people who like my stuff would like her Substack.
How lovely! I love small world moments like this. I’ve seen Helen before on Lotus Eaters. She’s great. So are they.
Forgive the initial typo. Also, turns out this is about your fan. Just not the kind you posted about initially! LOL!
Thanks for the reminder. We don't have AC and rely on fans to keep the house relatively cool during the three to four weeks of summer we get. I use the poor man's AC method by placing bowls of ice (water frozen - and refrozen - in a large bowl) in front of a couple of the fans to cool things down. Plus all shades drawn during the day to keep the sun from heating up.
I thought you were going to share some novel process that would make it easier...but message received!
Sometimes I just phone it in, John! :)
LOL 😂 Someone has to!
My fan was overdue for cleaning so thanks for this post! I’m getting blown very nicely now. 😏