Light fixtures and chandeliers tend to accumulate dust and dirt over a period of time. This accumulated dirt results into reduced brightness of the fixture. Clean light fixtures offer superior glitter, beauty and light as compared to the light fixtures which are unclean. Light fixtures are generally ignored when the other items of house are cleaned because of the kind of time and effort required for the task. Though cleaning of light fixtures and chandeliers may not be an easy task, here are some tips to help you in this herculean task.
General Tips
- Before you start cleaning the light fixtures, you need to give sufficient time for the bulbs to cool down. Most of the old light fixtures and chandeliers use bulbs that tend to heat up when lighted. Therefore, switch off the lights well before you start cleaning process.
- You should never try cleaning the fixtures when still plugged in as it may lead to mishaps. Therefore, unplug and remove the fixture before cleaning it.
- Unplug the fixture and carefully bring it down. Some fixtures may need some mechanical efforts like unscrewing or unclipping. Be careful while handling the fixture. In case the bulb has to be removed for bringing down the fixture, remember to put the bulb back in the socket.
- You can use cleaners available in the market for cleaning the glass surfaces. If fixtures are not being removed from their place, you can use a damp cloth covered with cleaner to clean the fixtures. Once the cleaning liquid is applied on the fixtures, dry cotton cloth can be used to remove liquid from the fixtures.
- Alternatively, you can spray the cleaning liquid on the fixture directly and use a dry cloth to remove the cleaning liquid from the fixture. While doing so, you should be careful that the wall behind the fixture is not spoiled by the cleaning liquid.
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Cleaning of light fixtures and chandeliers may not be an easy task A number of glass-cleaning liquid are available in the market. In absence of cleaning liquid, diluted soap water can also be used for cleaning.
- Before applying pressure on the light fixture, check whether the fixture is strong enough to bear the pressure. At times the fixtures are lightly fitted as they are not subject to pressure under normal circumstances. For lightly fitted fixtures, it is advisable that the fixture is first removed and then the cleaning is carried out.
- Before cleaning the fixtures, cover the floor below the fixture with cloth or paper so that the dirt from the fixture does not spoil the carpet or floor below the fixture.
Special Tips for specific fixtures
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Chandeliers
Chandeliers are generally made by using complex pieces of crystal or glass. Though the pieces may look alike, they may not be exchangeable. It is therefore advisable not to dismantle the chandeliers. However, if you dismantle the chandelier, you should keep the pieces in sequence or have some marking on the pieces to ensure that the pieces are not mingled together. This helps in re-constructing the chandelier.
Before you clean the chandelier, bring down the chandelier. Keep in on a heap of newspaper or towel. Cover the bulbs and socket with plastic wrapper to prevent moisture from entering the circuitry. Now you can use any glass cleaner to clan the crystals. Just spray the glass cleaner and use soft cloth to wipe the liquid. If on fixing back the chandeliers, the lights flicker, you can use sand paper and clean the connectors of the bulb to clean the dirt and dust.
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Ceiling Fixtures
In order to clean the ceiling fixtures, first switch off the lamp. Once the lamp is cool, remove the fixture by unscrewing or unclipping. You can now place the fixtures in warm water and clean it using soap or glass cleaner. Once the dirt is removed, you can dry the fixture by using dry cotton cloth. The dry fixtures can then be placed back it its place.
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Lamps
You should dust the lamps regularly. The lamps can occasionally be cleaned with warm water. However, remember to remove the plug before using water. Do not pour water on the lamp. Use a damp cloth to clean the metallic surface. The lamps that do not have metallic surface should not be cleaned with water.
