I want to take it apart to clean the fan blades ....how do I get to the blades.Cant figure out how to take off the protective grill?

I picked up a Sunbeam Humidifier model 1118 for $7 (which was $7 too much) second hand. It wasn't until I got home that I noticed it was filthy-dirty inside...(dirtier than shown in the photos) the reservoir, the bottom tray, AND the fan chamber all needed major cleaning.

A quick Google search told me that the grill is "not removable", and the unit is "not user serviceable". Companies do this/say this for two reasons:

a) They want you to throw it away and buy a new one, landfills and plastic filling our oceans be darned
b) They want to protect themselves from lawsuits, should someone injure themselves servicing their product (or in this instance, cutting their fingers off on the fan blade).

Imagine if all of that design know-how was put into making the product serviceable, cleanable, and long-lasting, rather than ensuring it can't be opened or repaired by the average joe.

Me, I've opened and repaired enough gadgets to think differently.

You CAN remove the grille.
Carefully insert a series of flat-head screwdrivers between the grill and the body a few inches apart, wedging the grill edge away from the body.
There are slits in the body (see photos) that will allow you to get under the grill edge and pry it right out when enough of it has been detached from the anchoring groove.
But be gentle while you're doing it.
The Grille is plastic and flexible; it will bend, but if you use too much force you will damage either the grill or the body.

The photos also show how the grill is anchored to the body - via a groove in the grille edge.

You can put the grille back after cleaning the blades and fan chamber much the same way; pressing down, and if required: prying the side of the grill inwards with a flat head screwdriver.
Mine snapped right back into place with a bit of downward pressure.

I have a similar model to this one. It's a little tricky. Everything snaps or twists together. Press a little on the front and back of the fan grills and twist lefty loosy to open. The blades are an easy detachment, just pull them out easily, and take off the back grill. The back grill may have two screws connecting it to the main case of the fan, but mine didn't.

On the model I have, the front grill just pulls off from the front; there are some tabs that you might need to release by pushing with a small screwdriver from the rear. After cleaning, just align the tabs and push it back in until they click back in and latch.

There are four clips the hold the grill to the cowl.
Look along the outer edge, on the back.
One clip at 11 o'clock, one at 2 o'clock, one at 4 o'clock, and one at 8 o'clock.
Use a flat blade screw driver to push the 11 and 2 positions down (do 11 then do 2) and the grill shuold come off. The clips are just tabs molded into the grill, don't push too agressively, or the tab will break, and the grill will not latch on as well. Check the Vornado website for more information. They used to have a video about cleaning.

Use mild soap and water the clean the blades after removal.

There are 4 small screws in the rim between the ribs accessible from the back. Remove the screws and the cover will come off.

How do I clean my Cyclone or Air Companion™?
Lay the fan face up on a flat surface. The front grill should be facing you. Remove the screws from the rear grill. Place a flat-head screwdriver into the gap between the front and rear grills. Pull the front grill towards you, exposing the fan blade. Do not remove the knobs on either side. Then, wipe the blade with a soft, damp cloth. Use a mild detergent if necessary. Be sure not to touch the motor. Click here to download product instruction sheet.

hi! there,
well! no brand and model,anyway the guard fan has a quick clip lockaround the fan blade,be sure to unplug your electric fan before doing this, unlock clip lock then the fan has a quick handy lock knob at the center of the fan observed loosening knob there is direction arrow in loosening this if i'm wrong going counter clockwise,or take the direction indicated marked on top of knob.
pull out the blade and have it clean if this is a plastic or aluminum clean it with water and spounge/cleanser,avoid to distorsion on fan blade if happen this will wiggle when run again be carefull and on the second guard fan still connected to your electric fan,there is plastic lock nut release and pull out the 2nd fan guard,try to clean this with water and cleanser,the motor assembly with control and stand just wipe it out ,don't try to get wet specially the motor,let all dried up before reassemble.reverse the process to eassembly

We just figured this out ourselves. There are four (4) screws on the back of each fan that when undone it releases the grill for cleaning. But the fun part is getting the screws back in to the little holes. But all in all we got it clean...

I have a fan from them as well...you can't take it apart. Isn't that stupid?

The fan blade just pulls off. I have a Lakewood 200/1PG and my grills are installed with phillip head screws.