How to Clean a Crystal Chandelier
Your delicate chandelier will glow more brightly without all that dust and grime. Here's how to make it sparkle again.
- Difficulty:
- Moderate
Instructions
Things You'll Need
- Spray Bottles
- Cleaning Cloths
- Ammonia
- Chandelier Cleaning Fluids
- Isopropyl Alcohols
- Masking Tape
- Distilled Waters
- Sandwich Bags
- Rubber Bands
- Rubber bands
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1
Set up alternative lighting nearby (since you won't be able to use the chandelier for lighting while you're cleaning it).
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2
Turn off the chandelier's power at the wall switch. Place a piece of tape over the wall switch so that no one can accidentally turn it on while you're working.
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3
Cover any upward-pointing bulbs with sandwich bags. Secure the bags with rubber bands.
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4
Place a drop cloth below the chandelier.
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5
Mix a solution of one part isopropyl alcohol or ammonia in three parts distilled water. Or, if you don't want to mix your own cleaner, buy a special chandelier cleaner from a lighting retailer. Put some solution in a spray bottle.
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6
Spray every part of the fixture with the cleanser, avoiding wires and other electrical components.
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7
Allow the crystals to drip-dry. If your chandelier is too dirty for this drip-cleaning method, you'll have to hand-wash each individual crystal with the cleaning solution.
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8
Remove the plastic bags from the lights once the crystals have dried, and wipe down light wells and other noncrystal parts with a soft cloth dipped in the cleanser.
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9
Allow the entire fixture to dry overnight before turning its power back on.
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1
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Comments
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Followed these instructions as a surprise for a friend and it turned out perfect! It is a matter of taking your time, paying attention to detail and having end goal in mind. THANK YOU!
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lilyseymour
Aug 17, 2010
I tried this and my chandelier came out beautifully! -
marandastewart
Mar 22, 2010
I am a professional chandelier cleaner and have been for over 10 years. This information you are recieving is entirely wrong and if you have a chandelier of any value you will want to call a professional to service your fixtures. They usually have cleaners that are designed to give the crystal extra sparkle and ingredients that will help to repel dust for a period of time. To remove your chandelier from the ceiling and service it may cause you to bend brass arms or the centre column or break the arms on the chandelier if they are crystal. This can result in some chandeliers being damaged beyond repair, especially if it as an antique. To "drip dry" clean your chandelier the cleaners you would use have to have a mild acid so as to dry the crystal without leaving watermarks. DO NOT DO THIS. the mild acids can cause rusting on the plating of the chandelier and can tarnish it forever....
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chesterbelle
Aug 21, 2009
Hi I am new to this site however in the UK there are several chandelier cleaning companies, a recommended one is King's Chandelier Services Ltd. Not only do they come out to clean chandeliers they also have an online shop that sells chandelier cleaning accessories as well as crystal and glass parts, spares and accessories if you want to have go yourself at chandelier cleaning or restoration
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Mar 17, 2006
I was just reading about that subject at the site of the Schonbek Crystal chandelier company and their instructions differ. In fact they advise to never use ammonia as it will corrode the light's metal structures. They advise using 1 part isopropyl alcohol and 3 parts distilled water.
