Cleaning your light fixtures can be a little challenging if you’ve never done it before, so that’s why in this article, we’re going to give you some practical advice on how to make the task a little easier and more enjoyable! Read on to find out more!
General Do’s and Don’ts of Cleaning Light Fixtures
Safety comes first, so you should turn off your electricity before starting to clean your lights.
If you have any other globes besides LEDs, consider that they tend to heat up – so you should either wait until they cool off or use a pair of thick gloves to protect yourself from getting burnt.
Make a list of the light fixtures that you need to clean in your home and the various materials they are made of, along with any parts that you should disassemble and reassemble.
Besides your cleaning supplies, you will also require a sturdy and, more importantly, stable ladder. Accidents can always happen, but those involving a shaky ladder can lead to you getting seriously hurt.
The majority of light fixtures have to be disassembled at least two or three times a year in order for you to give them a thorough clean. Depending on their design, you may have to pay attention to avoid accidentally getting any water into their electrical parts.
To make your life easier and save time, you should dust your light fixtures on a weekly or at least bi-monthly basis.
Light Fixture Materials and the Proper Way to Clean Them
Once you have everything ready, including your cleaning supplies, take a few minutes to check which types of light fixtures you have in your home as cleaning methods can vary between materials:
Glass
Glass lampshades can be easily washed in the sink, whereas the bulbs, once they’ve cooled down, can simply be wiped for dust.
When the glass of the light fixture is cool, you can soak it in soapy water, and then wait for a couple of minutes before rinsing it with a gentle sponge.
Polished metal and stainless steel
To ensure that the surface of these light fixtures does not get damaged, you should avoid using any harsh or abrasive cleaning agents. A soft cloth that you’ve dampened a bit in soapy water is much better by comparison.
The cloth itself needs to be as soft as possible so that it doesn’t scratch the polished metal surface. Solutions containing alcohol or ammonia are also not a good idea in this case.
Fabric
Compared to other types of shades, fabric ones have to be dusted regularly. This makes the task of thoroughly cleaning them later on easier. You can use a lint roller to clean the dust both on the inside and outside of the shade.
If the fabric ends up being stained, you have two options of going about things – you either try to clean it with a microfiber cloth dipped in a solution of water and mild detergent, or you can soak it in water first and then gently rinse the stained section.
Copper or brass
Both of these tend to tarnish as time goes by, which means that you have to be very careful when cleaning them. If at all possible, avoid washing this type of light fixture using water or cleaning solutions.
Simply wipe the dust off of them and put a little pressure to remove any stain.
How to Clean Chandeliers
Chandeliers usually have to be taken down at least twice a year so that they are cleaned properly. Depending on how complicated their design is, or how much dust is present in the room, you may need to do this a bit more frequently.
If you no longer have the instructions that came with the chandeliers when you bought them, at least try to take a picture of them before you disassemble them.
The majority of chandeliers out there can be cleaned using a solution of plain water and a couple of tablespoons of vinegar.
If you can take them apart completely, there’s also the option of you soaking the chandelier in soapy water for a couple of minutes so that you can clean it more effectively.
If you’re worried about any of the parts being affected by rust or getting tarnished, use a microfiber cloth to wipe them gently. Always make sure all components are completely dry before reinstalling them.
How to Clean Downlights
Some recessed downlights allow you to dust them more thoroughly, but with others, you will have to entirely take them apart in order to clean them properly.
Turn off your power, gently remove the bulb, and dust / rub using a microfibre cloth. You can clean the interior area in much of the same way. Try to avoid the light socket as much as possible to prevent any damage.
For any type of grime that might have accumulated in the interior of the recessed area, you can dampen your cloth with a solution of water and vinegar before you carefully wipe it.
Bonus: How to Clean Ceiling Fans
Ceiling fans with lights can be a little more difficult to clean, mostly because they require a bit more time and effort. It’s important you completely trust your ladder when cleaning ceiling fans, as you’ll need to spend a few minutes balanced on the rungs!
As with light fixtures, make sure you turn off your electricity before getting started. If you celling fan has an integrated light, wait until the globe has cooled down. Then you can remove it and give it a gentle wipe with a microfibre cloth.
Dust the blades using a soft cloth. If you do not feel like that is enough, you can use an all-purpose cleaner for the job, but just make sure to avoid spraying it directly on the blades or any of the other fan structures to prevent staining.
Instead, spray the cleaner on your cloth until it is slightly damp and only then wipe your fan. Use another cloth to dry the blades, given that wet surfaces can attract dust in record times.
If you want to give your ceiling fan a nice shine, you can use car wax to wax the blades. This also prevents dust from quickly sticking onto the surface.
Final Thoughts
Although cleaning your light fixtures might not be something you look forward to, it’s a job that’s well worth the effort. Seeing your lights shining clean and looking like new can put a smile on your face, and make your home feel clean, warm & bright.
