Tip of the Day: Clean your ceiling fans

My approach to housekeeping is akin to the "If a tree falls in the woods and no one is around to hear it, does it make a noise?" conundrum: I don't mind the weekly ritual of cleaning my house, but I do cut corners where I can—if I can't see the grime, then it doesn't count.

I've often taken this tack when with ceiling fans. From below, I usually don't notice the dust and grime on my fans. But when I recently climbed a stepladder for a closer look at the one in my bedroom it was clear I had to clean the fan. The dust and grime weren't overwhelming—yet. So I decided to tackle this simple task before it could turn into a messy ordeal.

When you're cleaning your ceiling fans, first find out what steps the manufacturer recommends, and then consider our experts' suggestions below. Remember, clean a fan only after you've turned it off and the blades have come to a full stop. And cover the floor (and furniture) beneath the fan with a drop cloth. If the blades are lightweight, handle them with care.

• Use a long-handled, ceiling-fan duster to remove dust. (These special round brushes are sold at hardware stores and home centers.) The blade fits in the inner part of the duster and will clean both sides of the blade at the same time.

• If your fan is equipped with a light, gently dust the fixture (and the bulb, if it's exposed) with a soft cloth.

• To remove accumulated grime, wash the blades and fan housing with a damp cloth sprayed with an all-purpose cleaner or dipped in a solution of water and mild detergent. (Learn how to make your own household cleaners.)

• Then wipe the blades with a cloth dampened with water to remove detergent residue.

• Finally, dry the blades thoroughly— dampness attracts dust.

Be careful when you're reaching up to clean the blades if you don't have a brush. If you need to buy a ladder for this and other household chores, see our review of ladders.—Kimberly Janeway

Essential information: Read our latest report on ceiling fans to choose the right models for your home. And learn how to stay cool without running up your utility bills. Use our Home Improvement Guide interactive to take a room-by-room tour of the top-rated appliances and most cost-effective improvements you can make to your home.