Chandeliers: How To Clean a Chandelier

By: Jason Petrina




How do you clean a chandelier? A lot of people do not even want to bother with cleaning chandeliers due to the intricate and fragile pieces on the chandelier. If the chandelier piece falls it is most likely going to break, that is why most people are afraid of cleaning the chandelier. Instead of paying someone else to clean your chandelier, you can save a few extra bucks by doing it yourself.

When you are taking apart your chandelier, draw a diagram of each piece belongs, it will definitely help you when you are re-assembling the pieces back on. If you do not want to take apart your chandelier, cleaning your chandelier section by section is another option. To make sure your pieces do not break, place a blanket or a comforter under the chandelier to catch the pieces. It will also not scratch the surface of the piece of the table. The lights should always be turned off and cooled down before cleaning the light fixture.

For crystal chandeliers, I recommend them removing all the pieces and putting them in a plastic colander, also remove the trimmings. Use hot water diluted with mild dish detergent to clean the crystal pieces, the hotter the water, the spots on the crystal will be removed faster. The festoons should be cleaned as well, submerge the whole thing in mild dish detergent and rinse running water with two hands, so they won’t tangle. The reason why I suggest using mild dish detergent instead of chemical cleaners is because chemical cleaners are harsh and can cause the crystal pieces to turn black and sticky in the future.

I suggest dusting the chandelier because it minimizes polishing, use a dry cloth instead of duster. Then use a glass cleaner, spray the solution on the dry cloth and polish every crystal piece and the rest of the frame. I find using micro fiber cloths are the best when cleaning the chandelier pieces, you an find them is most home department stores, you can even find them in automotive stores. If you cannot find some, you can always use paper towels, or old clothes with heavy worn fabric. A lot of people forget cleaning the light bulbs, they also accumulate a lot of dust, so remember to dust it off. After you are done with cleaning everything, re-assemble the pieces together starting with the inside of chandelier and working your way out. If you like you can swiftly polish the pieces.

If you have a brass chandelier, remove all the pieces and place it in a plastic colander. Use mild dish detergent mixed with hot water to clean each piece. By using hot water, it eliminates the surface of spots. Submerge the festoons in the detergent and rise thoroughly with running hot water, remember to use both hands to eliminate the chance of them tangling. Do not use any cleaner or brash polish for the chandelier, it will damage the surface. For the rest of the fixture, just dust it.

If you are planning on using vinegar or ammonia to polish up crystal pieces on the chandelier, please keep the amount moderate because the excess of vinegar and ammonia can cause the crystals to blacken and stick together. If you are not interested in removing your chandelier at all, you can always take your chandelier to a local lighting store or cleaning services. While being a moderate price, chandeliers can add a sense and elegance to you room. Having a clean chandelier will make your room sparkle.



Jason Petrina is the Editor and Publisher of Article Click. For more FREE articles for your ezine and websites visit - www.articleclick.com