Since they’re situated high above your head, you don’t get up-close and personal with your ceiling fans very often. But when you do, there’s a good chance you’ll be horrified by what you see: an inordinate amount of dust. Before you start cleaning, though, make sure you’re doing it right. “Clean top to bottom – literally,” advise cleaning experts from Lemi Shine. “Start with the dust on your overhead light or fan, and end with the floor. This method ensures that all dirt, dust and miscellaneous items get sent to the floor and have no chance of being missed by the vacuum.” And after you dust the ceiling fans, set them to turn so that air circulates upward. This redistributes the warm air, which can save you on heating costs.

Learn how to service a ceiling fan.