Lighting Cleaning Guide

The lighting fixtures are important elements in the decoration of our home or business. They provide brightness and shape the atmosphere in every room. However, like all objects in the house, lighting fixtures need care and cleaning to maintain their brilliance. Furthermore, it is known that if the light bulbs and lighting fixtures in general are not clean, they yield up to 20% less light! Follow the detailed instructions of designdrops for cleaning your lighting fixtures and create a clean and bright atmosphere in your space.

 Basic Lighting Fixture Cleaning

Step 1: Turn off the Lighting Fixture

Before starting to clean, ensure that the lighting fixture is switched off and that the bulbs have cooled down if they have been recently operating. Do not proceed with any action if you are not certain that you have disconnected the power. Turning off the power automatically makes the hours of the day when there is natural light coming through the windows most suitable for cleaning the fixture. 

Step 2: Remove Detachable Parts

If there are detachable parts, such as bulbs, wires, or shades, remove them from the lighting fixture. Clean them separately as you would any other item that needs care. Be careful to only clean the parts that are suitable for contact with water; the rest can only be dusted to regain their shine. 

Step 3: Cleaning Surfaces and Bulbs

Wring out a clean cloth well with warm water and gently wipe the surfaces. It is important to use the cleaner that is suitable for the respective material of the lighting fixture (e.g., glass, metal, plastic, fabric). You will need to exercise great caution in areas with mechanisms, cables, and other components that are not suitable to come into contact with water. For cleaning, you should only use mild detergents and should never choose products containing bleach or harsh chemicals, as this may cause damage to the color and quality of the materials. 

Step 4: Drying

Allow the lighting fixture to dry thoroughly before reassembling it. To speed up the drying, you can use a soft microfiber cloth. Do not put the detachable elements back before they are completely dry, as this could affect the function of the fixture or cause mold growth.

Step 5: Reassembly and Activation

When the lighting fixture is completely dry, put the detachable parts back and restore its original form. Then you can turn it on and enjoy the bright atmosphere you will create in your space!

Cleaning Instructions for Lighting Fixtures of Various Materials

A lighting fixture can be made of various materials. Each material requires different treatment and must be cleaned carefully so as not to wear out and reduce the fixture's aesthetic appeal, performance, and safety. 

Cleaning Paper or Fabric Lampshades

Lampshades made of paper or some delicate fabric should be dusted with a feather duster instead of a cloth. The cloth is likely to leave residue that will spoil the overall aesthetic of the fixture. If you judge the lampshade to be durable, a soft brush can also be used, but only with gentle movements that will not harm the shade. An additional solution for cleaning a paper lampshade is to gently wipe it with an eraser.

Cleaning Glass Lampshades

Detachable glass lampshades can be removed and placed in a basin with water and mild soap. After letting them soak, use a cloth to clean specks from flies, dust, and any other kind of dirt. Then, place them on an absorbent surface, e.g., on a dry cloth, until they are completely dry. Once you are sure they are dry, you can reassemble your lighting fixture . 

Cleaning Fabric and Plastic Lampshades

For fabric lampshades, use a cloth that you have dipped into a bowl with green soap. After wringing it out so that it remains minimally damp, wipe the lampshade and then dry it with a slightly wet and well-wrung towel. For plastic lampshades, on the other hand, you should replace the green soap with liquid dish detergent and wipe the shade with a sponge, then dry it in the same way as mentioned for the fabric lampshade. 

Cleaning a Chandelier with Glass or Crystal Parts

Those who own a chandelier know well that as impressive as it is, it is equally demanding when it comes to cleaning. This is primarily because you cannot take it down, and you will have to be on a ladder, and secondly because it has many individual pieces with several spots that are difficult to clean. Start with a duster and remove as much dust as possible from the chandelier. Then, dip a cloth in water, in which you have dissolved 2 – 3 drops of pure alcohol and the same amount of ammonia. You will see that the cloth will remove the dust with greater ease and make the lighting fixture shine. Finally, for cleaning the crystals, you can fill a spray bottle with half the amount of water and half the amount of vinegar. Then, spray the crystals, but be careful not to let the solution get onto parts of the fixture that should not get wet. To avoid staining your floor, you can use an umbrella that you hang from the chandelier or place an absorbent object on the ground, such as a towel or several newspapers. 

Tips for Proper Lighting Fixture Maintenance

• If you are going to clean a ceiling light fixture, such as a chandelier, you will most likely need help with both the ladder and with someone handing you the cleaning supplies. Therefore, only start cleaning if someone else is with you. 

• Do not place light bulbs of a different type or wattage than those recommended by the manufacturer in your fixtures. This could cause damage to the fixture, such as overheating, which can blacken or even burn the fixture!

• Fluorescent bulbs lose their efficiency over time. As a result, they consume the same electricity but do not perform the same. It would be advisable to replace your old bulbs with new LED bulbs. Ideally, you should proceed with a mass replacement to have balanced lighting throughout the space.

• Don't forget that by dusting the light fixtures, you are not removing the dust, but simply moving it to another point in the space; therefore, after dusting, you should wipe the objects with a damp cloth, where possible, and vacuum the floor of your area. 

• Outdoor lighting fixtures do not clean themselves from the rain. You should clean them too using a sponge or damp cloth and the appropriate detergent. 

To choose the ideal lighting fixture for you, consult the corresponding lighting fixture buying guide of designdrops and visit our category lighting fixtures where you will find wall lights, ceiling lights, table lamps, solar lights, outdoor lighting and many more options at the best prices on the market! For cleaning every item in your home or business, consult our cleaning guides!