How to Clean a Glass Chandelier
Glass chandeliers can make a stunning statement in any room, whether they are used for direct or indirect lighting. Yet their gleaming finish does not come without maintenance. Dust will inevitably collect on a glass chandelier and make its finish appear dingy and dirty. Fortunately, cleaning the chandelier will restore the lighting fixture to its original shining presence. Whether you need to quickly improve the chandelier's appearance or you have the time to undertake a thorough cleaning and inspection, this task is appropriate to tackle for most do-it-yourself enthusiasts. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Newspaper
- Safety glasses
- Protective mask
- Ladder
- Glass chandelier cleaner
- Folded towels
- Dishpans or sink basins with stoppers
- Dish-washing soap
- Ammonia
- Clean cloths
Instructions
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Quick-Clean Method
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1
Turn off the power to the chandelier via the breaker, or unplug the fixture.
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2
Spread out several newspapers on the floor beneath the glass chandelier. Ensure that the entire area beneath the lighting fixture is covered.
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3
Don safety glasses and a protective mask, and place a ladder next to the fixture for easy access.
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4
Spray a commercial glass chandelier cleaning product onto all surfaces of the fixture. Spray downward instead of upward to avoid getting sprayed in the face.
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5
Allow the cleaner to dissolve the dirt and dust. The excess liquid will drip onto the newspapers on the floor. No wiping is necessary; the chandelier should dry to a sparkling, clean finish.
Thorough Cleaning and Inspection Method
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6
Unplug the fixture, or turn off the breaker that supplies the power to the chandelier. Remove all light bulbs and store them in a safe area.
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7
Place a folded towel in the bottom of a sink or dishpan, and fill the container with warm water and enough liquid dish soap to make sudsy water. The towel will help prevent glass breakage. Place a second folded towel in another sink area or dish pan, and fill it will hot water and 1/4 cup of ammonia.
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8
While on the ladder, remove a few of the glass drops (or pieces) from the fixture, and set them aside. Place a clean cloth in the sudsy water, wring it out and wipe down the arms and frame of the fixture. Note any bent or worn parts and replace if needed.
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9
Place the glass drops into the warm, soapy water, wipe with a clean cloth to remove any surface dirt or grime and rinse in the ammonia water to add shine. Wipe the drops with a clean dry cloth and replace.
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10
Continue working on sections of the glass chandelier by repeating steps 3 and 4 until the entire fixture has been cleaned. Wipe the light bulbs with a damp cloth and dry before replacing. Restore power to the fixture.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Only remove a few pieces of the chandelier at a time to avoid confusion when replacing.
