Tower fans are much easier to clean than other fans on the market such as pedestal fans, but this doesn't mean that they don't need any cleaning at all.
Over time, tower fans can build up dust, pet hair and other kinds of debris, so you will need to give the interior a clean as well as the exterior once in a while. You can perform this cleaning with just a few tools such as a vacuum, compressed air and a microfibre cloth, you don't need to take the blades apart to clean your fan unless there is a problem.
To find out how to clean your tower fan effectively, we have put together a short guide below which will give you some detailed cleaning steps so as you can keep your tower fan in the best shape possible.
Cleaning your tower fan once a while is very important, firstly, by giving your tower fan a clean you can improve how it works and cut down on electricity costs, this is because a fan which is full of dust and blockages will have to work harder to circulate air than a clean one.
You will also have cleaner air being produced from your tower fan if you clean it regularly rather than hairs and dust being blown around your room.
Overall, routine cleaning on your tower fan benefits you by improving the quality of the air and will help prolong the life of your tower fan by avoiding blockages from dust and dirt building up in its interior.
For a quick clean, most people just wipe the exterior of their tower fan down, however, you do need to give the interior a clean too now and then, especially after a lot of use.
We have listed out some easy cleaning steps for you to follow along below.
One of the first steps to take before cleaning your fan is to unplug it and lay it flat on a surface so as you can have access to the whole fan, it's a good idea to wrap the cord up too so as it can stay out of the way.
Before we get into cleaning the interior of the tower fan, start by brushing the outside of the vents with a dry paintbrush or a similar tool, you can also use a vacuum to get rid of any dust that might have built up. Using compressed air can also help move any stuck debris at this stage.
After cleaning the exterior of your tower fan you can now focus on the inside, most tower fans have the same design so we will tell you how to access the interior of the fan in a general sense.
First, most frames on a tower fan will have anything from 2-8 Philips screws, you will need to use a screwdriver to undo these and pry the casing slowly off at the same time.
Some panels on tower fans will have plastic tabs that hold each part together, avoid breaking these by pulling the front panel away slowly.
Now you have access to the blades of your tower fan you can start cleaning them with a vacuum and brush attachment, make sure to cover the whole vertical length of the blades and use compressed air to dislodge any dirt that is stuck.
Don't forget to get rid of the dust that is behind the blades of the fan too and the motor.
Since you have the tower fan open, you can now locate the bearings on your fan which will either be at the top or the bottom of the column blades, lubricate these bearings lightly with some WD-40, this will improve how your fan works and prevent any unnecessary noise too.
Now you have cleaned and lubricated the interior of your tower fan you can start putting all the parts back together by reattaching the casing with screws and letting the fan run for a couple of minutes to get rid of any loose dust which you may have left behind when cleaning.
Many modern tower fans now come with filters inside which are washable and reusable, buying a tower fan that has one of these filters is a great idea as it can help purify the air in your home as well as cool it down.
Having a filter in your tower fan can remove mould, allergens as well as bacteria and other viruses in the air, some models even have three layers of filters; a pre-filter, HEPA filter and a carbon filter.
Brands such as Honeywell and Lasko will have these filters.
Can a tower fan help with allergies?
Yes, if you purchase a tower fan that has an air filter inside it can help with your allergies by removing irritants such as pollen, dander and dust from the air, helping you breathe in cleaner air.
Why is my tower fan getting noisy?
Your tower fan might be getting noisy if it needs lubrication on its bearings, when these bearings become stiff over time it can cause the fan to become noisy.
How do you clean a Dyson tower fan?
Unlike typical tower fans, Dyson models do not have blades and will only need to be wiped down to clean, they can benefit also by you vacuuming around the vents on the fan.
To conclude, cleaning your tower fan is a simple process but should not be overlooked, as not caring for your tower fan properly can reduce its lifespan and cause it to circulate dirty air around your home.
Make sure to clean the interior of your tower fan as well as the outside and always get rid of any dust formed behind the motor too.