The spring season signifies birth, grow and the start of something new. Many homeowners take advantage of this time of year to do a little spring cleaning around their homes to make them feel like new again. Lighting can often be a confusing or difficult piece of home décor to approach when it comes to cleaning; with so many different materials, intricate crystals and delicate glass, homeowners may wonder where to start.
“Our lighting fixtures often use mixed materials and are very detailed,” said Brad Kleinberg, president of Crystorama. “While these features lend to their beauty, they can also make it difficult to know which cleaning products are safe to use and how to properly clean a chandelier.”
When it comes to cleaning lighting there are many considerations based on material. Here are a few tips and tricks for cleaning your lighting fixtures:
Crystal
Elaborate crystal chandeliers like Maria Theresa and Simone require care due to their delicate nature.
• Use a soft, water-dampened cloth to clean crystal. If needed, a crystal cleaning solution is available at many lighting stores.
• Never wash crystals in the dishwasher which will cause permanent damage.
• If crystals were removed for cleaning, wear gloves when reinstalling to avoid smudges and fingerprints.
Glass
All-glass lighting fixtures like the Harper Collection call for a steady hand due to their fragile attributes.
• Most glass fixtures can be cleaning with a soft, water-dampened cloth.
• If using a commercially available glass cleaner, be sure that it doesn’t touch any metal accents.
• To circumvent smudging and fingerprints, wear gloves.
Wrought Iron
Wrought iron fixtures like Solaris and Cameron are relatively easy to care for and are typically less involved than crystal chandeliers.
• Use a soft cloth and wipe down the frame with plain or soapy water.
• If soapy water is used, be sure that all soap residue is wiped off when finished.
Cast Brass
The Oxford Collection and other cast brass chandeliers have a beautiful shine when properly maintained.
• Dust or wipe down using a soft cloth.
• Many lighting retailers carry specialty brass finish cleaning products.
General Tips
• Regular maintenance will help support a thorough annual cleaning. Once a week, or as needed, lightly dust fixtures to remove debris or other particles.
• For safety purposes, never work on a lighting fixture with an active electrical current. The best bet is to unplug fixtures or turn off the breaker prior to cleaning for wired in pieces. Never allow liquid to touch wiring.
• As always, check the manufacturers’ recommendations before using any cleaning products on your light fixtures.
“Quality lighting is an investment and homeowners want to safeguard that invest for years to come,” Kleinberg said. “Proper cleaning will help to ensure that our products stay just as beautiful as the day you purchased them.”
Crystorama 