One of the most crucial aspects of interior design is lighting. All of the colours, textures, furnishings, and fittings are wonderful, as well. But for the room to seem overall better, the lighting needs to be precisely right. A chandelier achieves this the best of anything. They don't have to be extravagant or even huge, but the proper one (or two!) will gleam and give your house the much-desired "wow factor."
Cleaning them can be a challenge. In addition, they are frequently covered in dust and cobwebs, which reduces their luster. A chandelier must be taken down for cleaning, which is a difficult and frequently a dangerous process. You want it to sparkle, but you don't want to go through the trouble of pulling it apart or taking out each crystal.
Help is nearby! To make this task simpler, consider the following advice on cleaning chandeliers:
- First, make sure the light is turned off. To prevent it from being accidently turned on, it could be helpful to turn off the electricity supply (or the circuit supplying that room) or cover the switch with tape.
- Under the chandelier, spread a large blanket in case any of the parts might fall.
- Keep in mind to get a backup light source ready in case you need to view what you're doing.
- All bulbs should be removed and safely stored (give them a wipe before replacing them afterward).
- Newspaper or any other substance that will keep fluids from entering should be used to fill the empty sockets.
- To catch extra drips, cover the blanket with newspaper or towels.
- Apply a generous amount of glass cleaning or a ready-made chandelier spray all over it.
- Observe the cleaner as it works, trickling down and collecting the dirt and dust.
- Before changing the bulbs, allow it to dry.
Glove Approach
- Observe the identical steps as before, up until the sixth one.
- Either a commercial glass cleaner or even a homemade solution will do (for example, one part isopropyl alcohol to four parts distilled water).
- Put on a pair of white cotton gloves, dunk your fingers into the cleaning solution, and then gently stroke each crystal to get rid of the dust.
- Replace the solution with a new one as it becomes murky and soiled.
- Gently move the crystals as you make your way around the chandelier, and then gently wipe each one with a damp towel.
- After each gem has been thoroughly cleaned, dry it off with a lint-free cloth.
Plastic Chandelier Cleaning
Acrylic "drop" chandeliers require special care because they are more likely to scratch than their glass counterparts. Additionally, several chemical cleaners meant for crystal won't work because they will dull the surface of the drops, which is the last thing you want! For cleaning plastic chandeliers, you can purchase specialised solutions or create your own homemade solution. Some experts advise merely using a microfiber cloth and some soapy water.
Additionally, 2 cups of warm water, 1/2 cup of rubbing alcohol, and 2 tbsp of dishwasher spot remover are suggested (optional). This can be kept in a spray bottle for convenience.
For cleaning the bulbs, a 1:1 mixture of warm water and vinegar is suggested. Simply carry out the procedures for crystal chandeliers using these fixes.
Hacks For Cleaning Chandeliers
- Avoid cleaning products with ammonia in them! In addition to clouding acrylic, they might also damage the gold- or silver-plated fittings on all kinds of chandeliers.
- To prevent fingerprints and stains, put on cotton gloves.
- Avoid the temptation to rotate the chandelier when cleaning it. Change the order of the steps to access each component individually. Twisting it could cause the fitting to become loose, which could cause it to fall or harm the wiring.
- To maintain it as dust-free as possible, try using a feather duster (or lamb's wool) every few months. The cleaning procedure described above would thus likely only need to be done once a year.
- If your ceilings are unusually high, use this as an opportunity to replace any broken bulbs.
Make sure to follow these suggestions to maintain the luster of your precious chandelier. It will enhance the ambiance and aura of your lovely home.
