Cleaning Lighting Fixtures

light-cleaning-tinypTips for clean lighting fixtures.

Cleaning lighting fixtures. Table lamps, floor lamps, and overhead lamps need a good cleaning about once a month. 
The rapid accumulation of dirt, dust, and grime on lighting fixtures can be a real downer, significantly diminishing the ambiance of your home and all the wattage you're paying for.

These cleaning solutions for lighting fixtures and lampshades can help clear things up.

Basics on Cleaning Lighting Fixtures

Before cleaning lighting fixtures, carefully remove the shade or cover. (For lampshades, clean them according to the type of material; see below).

Wipe off the light bulb and base with a damp cloth. Immerse ceiling lamp covers in a sink full of warm, soapy water. Wash gently, rinse, and dry thoroughly with a lint-free towel or cloth. 

These cleaning tips also work on brass, chrome, steel, nickel, pewter, and outside light fixtures.

You don't need harsher, more expensive surface-specific cleaners to do the dirty job. These cleaners can mar the surface sheen that keeps fixtures looking their best. 

While it may be tempting to pop that glass fixture into the dishwasher's top rack instead, resist this urge. The dishwasher's heat can easily break delicate glass covers or fade exterior detailing. 

Automatic dishwasher detergent can scratch or dull some fixtures' decorative design and coating. Be safe and wash by hand.

Cleaning a Chandelier

How to clean a chandelier without taking it down:

  • Turn off the light. You might even want to turn this one off at the breaker.
  • Take out all the bulbs from the chandelier. Gently wipe to remove all surface dust.
  • Fill two dish tubs with hot water. Add dish detergent to one container for washing and ammonia to the other tub for rinsing and to add sparkle. Cushion the bottoms of the tubs with cloths.
  • Remove the chandelier crystals and saucers. Put them in the sudsy water. (Either remove just a few crystal parts at a time or make a diagram of what goes where so you don't have a chandelier jigsaw puzzle to contend with when it's time to put it back together.)
  • Wipe the base of the chandelier. Use a cloth dampened with the wash water. Wash, rinse, and dry all parts.
  • Replace the parts quickly. So you won't forget where they go. Then replace the bulbs.

How to Clean Lamp Shades

Once grime builds up, removing it becomes more challenging, especially on more delicate shades such as parchment or fabric. Here's how to clean lampshades by type:

Green beaded lamp shade.Cleaning lighting fixtures and lamp shades.
  • Beaded shades: Vacuum regularly to prevent dust buildup. Wipe occasionally with a damp cloth.
  • Fabric shades: Dust with a soft vacuum attachment; clean professionally if necessary.
  • Glass shades: Wash in dishwashing solution; rinse and dry thoroughly.
  • Metal shades: Wipe with a soft, damp cloth.
  • Paper shades: Wipe; replace when they get too dirty.
  • Parchment shades: Dust; remove marks with an eraser.
  • Plastic shades: Wash in dishwashing solution.
  • Rattan shades: Vacuum often.
  • Silk shades: Clean professionally.


You Might Like These:

  • Science can't explain it, but soft drinks, crumbs, and coffee are attracted to computer keyboards like magnets. Here's how to clean a computer.

    How to Clean A Computer

    Science can't explain it, but soft drinks, crumbs, and coffee are attracted to computer keyboards like magnets. Here's how to clean a computer.

  • How to clean your phone, tablet, and other touchscreens.

    How to Clean Your Phone

    How to clean your phone, tablet, and other touchscreens.

  • You're texting, cooking, house cleaning. Life is busy with infants and preschoolers. Yet it only takes a single distracted second for an accident to happen. These tips can help keep kids safe.

    House Cleaning Safely with Kids

    You're texting, cooking, house cleaning. Life is busy with infants and preschoolers. Yet it only takes a single distracted second for an accident to happen. These tips can help keep kids safe.

  • Here's the dirt on cleaning to control allergy symptoms and prevent asthma and allergy triggers in your home so you and your family can breathe easier.

    Cleaning to Control Allergy Symptoms by Housecleaning

    Here's the dirt on cleaning to control allergy symptoms and prevent asthma and allergy triggers in your home so you and your family can breathe easier.

  • How to get windows clean for less cash. Store-bought formula or home-mixed variety? Paper towels, squeegee or cloth rags? Much like the paper-or-plastic debate, the best strategy for getting windows clean isn't always crystal clear.

    Get Windows Clean For Less Cash

    How to get windows clean for less cash. Store-bought formula or home-mixed variety? Paper towels, squeegee or cloth rags? Much like the paper-or-plastic debate, the best strategy for getting windows clean isn't always crystal clear.

  • The reason why we often get colds during the winter is not because of the weather. Being indoors plays a part. Here's how to prevent colds at home.

    How to Prevent Colds

    The reason why we often get colds during the winter is not because of the weather. Being indoors plays a part. Here's how to prevent colds at home.

  • When it's time to clean go ahead and reach for a bottle of vodka. No, it's not happy hour ... yet. It's time to try a cleaning cocktail and stir up the housekeeping routine.

    Try a Cleaning Cocktail

    When it's time to clean go ahead and reach for a bottle of vodka. No, it's not happy hour ... yet. It's time to try a cleaning cocktail and stir up the housekeeping routine.

  • Best household germ killers. When killing surface germs is the name of the game, look for cleaning products that are certified germ-killers. This guide to the best household germ killers can help.

    Best Household Germ Killers

    Best household germ killers. When killing surface germs is the name of the game, look for cleaning products that are certified germ-killers. This guide to the best household germ killers can help.