How to properly clean your lamps and light fixtures?

Have your light fixtures accumulated grime and dust over the past few months? And is it darkening your interior? It’s time for some serious spring cleaning to make them shine! Here are some tips and tricks for properly cleaning your pendant lights, your wall lights and your light fixtures with shades, and thus get the most out of them.

 

5 tips for cleaning your light fixtures

The more transparent or light-colored your light fixtures are, the more apparent any accumulated dirt and dust will be. Whether your pendant lights are made of glass, crystal, brass, chrome, or other metal, here are some tips to remedy this annoying situation.  

1. Turn off the electricity.

You can never be too careful. These light fixtures run on electricity, so you must not only turn off the wall switch, but also cut the power. To avoid the risk of electrocution, it would be safer to deactivate the appropriate circuit breaker or the fuse box switch.  

2. Wipe your light fixtures with a damp cloth.

Wipe the outside of your lamps covered with a thin layer of dust with a simple clean, damp cloth. Avoid cleaning products containing more powerful chemical agents. A mixture of water and alcohol or vinegar can help remove certain stains.  

3. Clean periodically.

Consider doing a thorough cleaning of all your light fixtures once a year – and why not in the spring! By being disciplined, you will ensure that your lighting and your hanging light fixtures, wall lights and lamps shine brightly and impeccably illuminate your home.  

4. Be conscientious.

Proceed with caution and method:

• Unscrew the outer glass.
• Rinse it in a sink and wipe it with a clean cloth to thoroughly remove dust from both the outside and inside.
• Use a non-abrasive cleaning product if necessary, taking care not to scratch or break the glass.
• If you are not detaching the fixture, be careful not to turn the suspension, as the fastening may come loose. Instead, move your step ladder around the fixture.

 

5. Wear a mask and safety glasses.

If you are dusting a pendant light, wear safety glasses to prevent dust or debris from getting into your eyes. You don't want to risk irritating or scratching your eyes. The mask will also prevent you from inhaling dust – an essential precaution if you suffer from allergies. Cleaning light fixtures is not necessarily an easy task; all the more reason to be careful and thorough.  

How to clean a glass or crystal chandelier?

Is your chandelier losing its "luster"? Be careful, caution is advised, because by definition, a glass or crystal chandelier is fragile. Special care must be taken to prevent the crystals from clashing to avoid scratching them. So, concentrate to avoid damaging it. If the layer of dust covering your chandelier turns out to be rather thin, a simple dry cleaning is sufficient. In such a case, put on fabric gloves and use a smooth cloth to avoid deposits on the crystals (fingerprints, fabric fibers, etc.). However, if your light fixture has lost all its shine due to a significant accumulation of dust, you should clean your chandelier with a chemical solution, ideally with a sprayer, designed specifically for wet cleaning of crystals. After application, you can remove the deposit with a simple cloth. Be careful about the product you are going to use: you should avoid those containing abrasive substances, as these could damage the object.  

How to clean stainless steel or chrome light fixtures?

In the case of stainless steel and chrome light fixtures, it is also important to avoid using an overly abrasive cleaner. Indeed, this tends to corrode the metal and leave streaks. Opt instead for a product specially designed for this type of material or, to remove the most persistent stains, use baking soda diluted in water. For small stains, dish soap or white vinegar is enough to remove them. In both cases, finish by rinsing.  

How to clean a light fixture with a shade?

Are there stains on your light fixtures with shades? Although you will want to focus on the stains, it is advisable to wash the entire shade, especially if it is made of fabric, to have a uniform background. A cloth dipped in and wrung out of water and dish soap will do the trick. If the stains persist, mix water with an equal amount of alcohol and then let dry. For tougher stains (coffee, juice, etc.), you can add white vinegar in equal parts with 90° alcohol. Don't let your shades be killjoys!  

Do you need to refresh your light fixtures?

While cleaning your light fixtures will improve their appearance, it won't modernize them. It may be time for you to change them. Consult our specialists at Luminaires et Cie for advice on installing your light fixtures. To get inspired, visit our online store or come see us in store!