Cleaning ceiling fans, chandeliers, and other hanging light fixtures can leave dust and grime on everything below, which is the exact antithesis of what you’re attempting to achieve. Forget what you believe you know about opening umbrellas indoors and attempt this trick to prevent this from occurring.
How to use an umbrella for light fixture cleaning
When it’s time to clean your ceiling fan, chandelier, or light fixture, Mary H.J. Farrell of Consumer Reports suggests opening an umbrella with a U-shaped handle and hanging it upside down from the bottom.
Use a blow dryer on the cool setting, a duster, a damp paper towel or cloth to remove all of the dust, and an umbrella to collect any debris that falls.
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If you need to use cleaning products to wipe down the surface, the umbrella will also collect any drips. Unhook the umbrella, empty out any solid detritus into the trash, and consult the tag for additional washing instructions. Ensure it is clean and dried before storing it for the next time (or, you know, the next time it rains).
Everything required for mess-free ceiling fan cleaning:
Any J-handle umbrella will do, but we like this one from Totes ($23) because it’s inexpensive, and the handle curves more inward than other models in the same price range, so it’s less likely to fall to the ground.
To blast dust, you need a hair dryer with an attachment to direct circulation precisely where you want it, such as this Revlon model ($18.34).
A dusting: Purchase a Swiffer duster ($9.95) for a compact tool that fits into narrow spaces and traps dust.
Conclusion
To effectively clean ceiling fans, use an umbrella with a U-shaped handle and hang it upside-down from the bottom. Use a blow dryer, a duster, or a damp paper towel to remove dust and an umbrella to collect debris. If cleaning products are needed, the umbrella will collect drips. Unhook the umbrella, empty the solid detritus, and consult the tag for additional washing instructions.
A J-handle umbrella from Totes ($23) is recommended for mess-free ceiling fan cleaning. A hairdryer with an attachment for dust blasting is recommended, and a Swiffer duster ($9.95) is a compact tool for dusting.
