Clean Ceiling Fans – Weekend Projects 2020

When I first moved to the South from California, I did not understand my new husband’s obsession with ceiling fans. I thought they were ugly and archaic and, no, I didn’t see why they were so important.

Until I spent my first summer in Georgia. Now we live in Florida and as I type, I’m grateful for the ceiling fan in my office that’s circulating the air and bringing the relief of an indoor breeze to my office, which, though air conditioned, doesn’t completely insulate me from the stifling summer heat.

I realize I live in a part of the country that probably switches on the ceiling fans earlier than some others that have them. So here’s your friendly reminder to get yours in tiptop shape for when you, gratefully, turn yours on.

It’s true that ceiling fan blades are large and hard-to-clean dust collectors. But they’re so worth it. This weekend, we’re going to get them ready for their hardest-working season.

Cleaning them isn’t easy, it’s true, but getting the task done in one fell swoop is less painful than turning them on and watching the dust fly off onto the furniture and, if you’re really unlucky, setting off an allergy storm.

You’ll need a few things to complete the task: a step stool, a duster, an old pillowcase, and some furniture polish.

Once you’ve cleaned your ceiling fan blades, make sure your fan is set to turn in the correct direction. Remember that your ceiling fans should be running counterclockwise in summer and clockwise in winter.

You can catch up with weekend projects right here. Share your progress with us and others by posting updates and photos on Instagram and Twitter with the hashtag #atweekendproject.

Remember: This is about improvement, not perfection. Each week you can either choose to work on the assignment we’ve sent you, or tackle another project you’ve been meaning to get to. It’s also completely okay to skip a weekend if you’re busy or not feeling the assignment.