Lighting Cleaning Tips

Illuminate Your Home with Sparkle and Shine

Buying new lights is an easy way to enhance your home’s ambiance and style, but it’s just as important to take care of those lights so they keep on looking their best. Imagine walking into a room where every light fixture sparkles as brilliantly as the day you bought them!

With these lighting cleaning tips, you can ensure your lights maintain their luster for years to come. Dive in and discover how easy it is to keep your lighting fixtures in top condition – we even have checklists!

Quick Navigation:

• Safety and Advice
• Chandeliers, Pendants and Ceiling Lights
• Special Care for Crystals
• Bath Lights and Sconces
• Outdoor Lights
• Ceiling Fans

Remember: Good cleaning is just as important as good lighting.

Safety and Advice:

Before you start, keep these safety tips in mind.

• Turn Off the Power: Always turn off your light fixtures before cleaning them. If your lights use incandescent bulbs, wait an hour to ensure the bulbs are cool to the touch before you start working.
• Ladder Safety: If you need to use a ladder, make sure the feet are flat on the floor before you start to climb. It’s also a good idea to have a spotter whenever you work with a ladder.
• Avoid Direct Application: Do not apply cleaning solutions directly to bulbs, glass, or fixtures.
• Dishwasher Warning: Do not put glass shades or diffusers in the dishwasher. They are not dishwasher safe and could shatter!
• Cleaning Essentials: A mild soap and a microfiber cloth are your best friends when it comes to cleaning light fixtures. Microfiber cloths are reusable, too!
• Dry Thoroughly: When you’re done cleaning, make sure everything is dry before you turn the lights back on.

Chandeliers, Pendants and Ceiling Lights:

Keep your chandeliers, pendant lights and ceiling lights shining bright.

• Dusting: Use a telescoping duster or microfiber cloth.
• Fingerprint Removal: Use a microfiber cloth – add mild soap if you need a little extra power.
• Glass Shades: Remove and clean glass shades by hand with mild soap and a soft cloth.
• Fabric Shades: Run a sticky lint roller over fabric shades.

Chandelier, Pendant and Ceiling Light Cleaning Checklist:

Special Care for Crystals:

Ensure your crystal lighting sparkles every day.

Crystal Cleaning Method 1:

• Solution: Fill up a spray bottle with a solution of 1 part isopropyl alcohol to 3 parts distilled water.
• Cleaning: Spray the solution onto gloves or a clean white cotton cloth and wipe down the crystals. Immediately dry the crystal with a dry cloth or glove.

Crystal Cleaning Method 2:

• Removal: Remove the crystals and label where each one goes on the fixture.
• Cleaning: Use a soft cloth, lukewarm water and gentle dish soap to clean each crystal. Rinse and dry with a soft cloth, then put the crystals back on the fixture.

Crystals reflect light beautifully when they’re clean. Treat them with care!

Bath Lights and Sconces:

Welcome every day with bright, clean bath lights and sconces.

• Dusting: Dust bath fixtures and sconces with a duster or microfiber cloth.
• Fingerprint Removal: Use a microfiber cloth – add mild soap if you need a little extra power.
• Glass Shades: Clean glass shades with gentle soap and a soft cloth.
• Fabric Shades: Use a sticky lint roller on fabric shades.

Bath Lights and Sconces Cleaning Checklist:

Outdoor Lights:

Outdoor lights endure the elements, so keep them pristine.

Washing: Scrub your outdoor lights with gentle dish soap and a soft microfiber cloth, then rinse with your garden hose.

Glass Panes: Remove glass panes or shades and clean them with mild soap and a soft cloth. While the glass panes are off, carefully remove any debris or bugs that may have taken up residence inside the fixtures.

Outdoor Lights Cleaning Checklist:

Ceiling Fans:

When you look up and see dust-free ceiling fans, you’ll smile.

• Blades: Clean fan blades by sliding an old pillowcase over each blade and pulling it slowly off the blade. The dust goes into the pillowcase, not onto the floor! Then, shake the pillowcase empty over your trash can and wash it for next time.
• Structure: Use a dry cloth to dust the structure of the fan so that moisture does not get inside the motor housing.
• Glass Shades: Clean glass shades with glass cleaner and a soft cloth.

Ceiling Fans Cleaning Checklist:

Keep Your Lights Shining Bright

A little maintenance goes a long way in preserving the beauty and functionality of your lighting fixtures. Regular cleaning not only extends the life of your lights, but also ensures that your home remains as bright and inviting as possible.

Looking for more ways to enhance your lighting? Read our Buying Guides and discover the best options for every room. Need some inspiration? Check out our Trends coverage to learn more about the biggest trends and keep your home on the cutting edge of design.

For all your lighting needs, from chandeliers to ceiling fans and everything in between, visit LightsOnline and explore our extensive collection.

Happy cleaning and shining!