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What are the Best Tips for Chandelier Cleaning?

Autumn Rivers
Autumn Rivers

Knowing how to properly clean a chandelier can go a long way toward boasting spotless light fixtures throughout the house. There are various chandelier cleaning methods, and many involve products that most people likely already have at home. The wet method is known for being fast but messy, while the dry method may be considered safer since it does not require handling liquid cleaning products near light fixtures. A chandelier can also be taken apart and cleaned piece by piece, which is time-consuming but thorough.

Preparations for the wet method of chandelier cleaning can take some time, but the actual cleaning part is often quick. To begin, be sure that the light switch is shut off, and the relevant circuit breaker should be pulled to ensure against electric shocks. Next, a towel should be placed under the light fixture to protect the floor, with the light bulbs off and a ladder set up underneath. The next step in the wet chandelier cleaning method is to spray the entire chandelier with cleaner that is appropriate for light fixtures, which can be found at most grocery stores. The light fixture should remain powered off and be allowed to dry on its own, with the excess cleaner dripping onto the tarp beneath it.

Cleaning a chandelier will most likely require a ladder.
Cleaning a chandelier will most likely require a ladder.

Another option for chandelier cleaning is called the dry method, which is a technique that requires a ladder and cleaning solution, but no tarp. The first step is to turn off the lights, and the next is to get on the ladder with two clean cloths and some glass cleaner in hand. The cleaner should be applied to one of the cloths, which should then be used to wipe each light and piece of glass on the fixture until it is clean. The other cloth can be used to polish each piece until it shines.

Double check that the light switch is in the off positioned before attempting to clean a chandelier.
Double check that the light switch is in the off positioned before attempting to clean a chandelier.

Some people prefer to take the chandelier apart completely and clean each part separately. Since this type of chandelier cleaning process can take more time, this is usually a good method to use occasionally rather than regularly. The starting steps include placing a ladder and blanket under the fixture so that it can be reached easily, and any dropped pieces can land on a soft surface. Next, all the parts should be placed into either a colander or a sink lined with a terry cloth towel, and then covered with water and soap. Finally, all pieces should be rinsed and then placed on a dry cloth to air dry, at which point the chandelier should be put back together.

Discussion Comments

KoiwiGal

@browncoat - That sounds awful. I know I'm not much for domestic cleaning, so I don't think I'd get a chandelier in the first place. What I do have is a vinyl wall decal of a chandelier which I've got hanging on my living room wall.

It's all the elegance of a chandelier without any of the cleaning fuss and I think it looks really good too. Although, obviously it doesn't provide nearly as much light!

browncoat

@Iluviaporos - The worst thing is when you get one that seems to be designed as an insect trap. I had a quite simple chandelier, which I thought would be relatively easy to clean. What I didn't realize was that the parts with the lights had room for insects to creep in and they couldn't get out. And, of course, the insects were attracted to the lights, so they seemed to die in droves. So, I did have to unscrew the whole thing in order to clean it properly almost every week.

It got to the point where I refused to turn it on so that I could stop the insects which seemed to come from nowhere.

You have to make sure this kind of thing isn't going to be an issue before you get the chandelier or, indeed, any kind of light fixture or you will end up regretting it.

lluviaporos

One thing to keep in mind when you're choosing glass chandeliers is that they do require quite a lot of cleaning. There's just no getting around it, unfortunately. And there are plenty of elegant light fixtures that don't need so much care.

Of course, some rooms just don't look right without a chandelier and in other cases you may have bought a property that already had chandeliers that you don't want to remove. So, the other thing to remember is to make it a habit to clean them every week. If you do this, you won't have to take them apart to clean them, or at least, not very often.

I have lived in houses with chandeliers and while they are really pretty, they are a pain in the neck to clean.

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    • Cleaning a chandelier will most likely require a ladder.
      By: Winai Tepsuttinun
      Cleaning a chandelier will most likely require a ladder.
    • Double check that the light switch is in the off positioned before attempting to clean a chandelier.
      By: Yoanna Boyadzhieva
      Double check that the light switch is in the off positioned before attempting to clean a chandelier.
    • The wet cleaning method utilizes liquid cleaning products designed for household use.
      By: Lisa F. Young
      The wet cleaning method utilizes liquid cleaning products designed for household use.