Before cleaning your lighting fixtures, you’ll need to gather all your supplies:
- Bucket of lukewarm water with a few squirts of dishwashing liquid
- Lint-free cleaning cloths, including microfiber ones
- Drop cloths
- Lint roller
- Vacuum with brush attachment
- A few magic erasers
- Lambswool duster
- Canned air
- Stepladder for ceiling lights
- Phillips and Robertson (square-drive) screwdrivers
Be Safe
After you’ve gathered your supplies, you need to turn off your lighting fixture’s power. This means unplugging lamps and turning off ceiling fixtures at the circuit box. Never submerge your light fixture in water or put glass or porcelain shades in the dishwasher, and avoid harsh chemicals like bleach or ammonia and scrubbers that scratch.
Wait until any bulbs that were on become cool enough to handle. If you’re cleaning a ceiling fixture, put a drop cloth beneath it to catch drips and debris.
How to Clean Your Ceiling Lights
Use a cloth to wipe down the lightbulbs and any frames, chains or cords. If you have fabric shades, clean them with a lint roller. Use lukewarm soapy water to clean shades made of glass or ceramic. Replace any dead lightbulbs. If you have a crystal chandelier, polish the crystals till they sparkle. Some people spray a chandelier with cleanser, and just let the dirty liquid drop to the drop cloth before wiping everything down.
If you have a flush or semi-flush mounted ceiling light, take off the shade with care. Wash it in the soapy, lukewarm water, and let it dry thoroughly before putting it back. If you have recessed lights, dampen a microfiber cloth, and then wipe the trim. Use a duster around the housing.
How to Clean Table and Floor Lamps
Take off the lamp shade and dust it, and then dust the lamp base. You can actually wash a fabric shade. Whether to wash it by hand or put it in the washing machine on delicate cycle is up to you. Just make sure it’s completely dry when you replace it.
Cleaning Your Ceiling Fan
Ceiling fans often come with lights, and they attract an amazing amount of dust and spider webs. Dust them thoroughly, including the tops of the blades. You’ll need a step ladder for this. Dampen a cloth, and wipe everything down. If you see any loose fastenings, tighten them.
Keeping your light fixtures clean and well-maintained allows them to work so well and for so long that you might pass them down as heirlooms. Light fixture care is simple and should be part of everyone’s cleaning routine. If you live in Washington, DC or a surrounding area and need lighting services, make your first call to FH Furr.
