We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Home

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What are the Best Tips for Chandelier Cleaning?

Autumn Rivers
By
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 10,698
Share

Knowing how to properly clean a chandelier can go a long way toward boasting spotless light fixtures throughout the house. There are various chandelier cleaning methods, and many involve products that most people likely already have at home. The wet method is known for being fast but messy, while the dry method may be considered safer since it does not require handling liquid cleaning products near light fixtures. A chandelier can also be taken apart and cleaned piece by piece, which is time-consuming but thorough.

Preparations for the wet method of chandelier cleaning can take some time, but the actual cleaning part is often quick. To begin, be sure that the light switch is shut off, and the relevant circuit breaker should be pulled to ensure against electric shocks. Next, a towel should be placed under the light fixture to protect the floor, with the light bulbs off and a ladder set up underneath. The next step in the wet chandelier cleaning method is to spray the entire chandelier with cleaner that is appropriate for light fixtures, which can be found at most grocery stores. The light fixture should remain powered off and be allowed to dry on its own, with the excess cleaner dripping onto the tarp beneath it.

Another option for chandelier cleaning is called the dry method, which is a technique that requires a ladder and cleaning solution, but no tarp. The first step is to turn off the lights, and the next is to get on the ladder with two clean cloths and some glass cleaner in hand. The cleaner should be applied to one of the cloths, which should then be used to wipe each light and piece of glass on the fixture until it is clean. The other cloth can be used to polish each piece until it shines.

Some people prefer to take the chandelier apart completely and clean each part separately. Since this type of chandelier cleaning process can take more time, this is usually a good method to use occasionally rather than regularly. The starting steps include placing a ladder and blanket under the fixture so that it can be reached easily, and any dropped pieces can land on a soft surface. Next, all the parts should be placed into either a colander or a sink lined with a terry cloth towel, and then covered with water and soap. Finally, all pieces should be rinsed and then placed on a dry cloth to air dry, at which point the chandelier should be put back together.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Autumn Rivers
By Autumn Rivers
Autumn Rivers, a talented writer for WiseGeek, holds a B.A. in Journalism from Arizona State University. Her background in journalism helps her create well-researched and engaging content, providing readers with valuable insights and information on a variety of subjects.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
By KoiwiGal — On Jun 19, 2012

@browncoat - That sounds awful. I know I'm not much for domestic cleaning, so I don't think I'd get a chandelier in the first place. What I do have is a vinyl wall decal of a chandelier which I've got hanging on my living room wall.

It's all the elegance of a chandelier without any of the cleaning fuss and I think it looks really good too. Although, obviously it doesn't provide nearly as much light!

By browncoat — On Jun 18, 2012

@Iluviaporos - The worst thing is when you get one that seems to be designed as an insect trap. I had a quite simple chandelier, which I thought would be relatively easy to clean. What I didn't realize was that the parts with the lights had room for insects to creep in and they couldn't get out. And, of course, the insects were attracted to the lights, so they seemed to die in droves. So, I did have to unscrew the whole thing in order to clean it properly almost every week.

It got to the point where I refused to turn it on so that I could stop the insects which seemed to come from nowhere.

You have to make sure this kind of thing isn't going to be an issue before you get the chandelier or, indeed, any kind of light fixture or you will end up regretting it.

By lluviaporos — On Jun 17, 2012

One thing to keep in mind when you're choosing glass chandeliers is that they do require quite a lot of cleaning. There's just no getting around it, unfortunately. And there are plenty of elegant light fixtures that don't need so much care.

Of course, some rooms just don't look right without a chandelier and in other cases you may have bought a property that already had chandeliers that you don't want to remove. So, the other thing to remember is to make it a habit to clean them every week. If you do this, you won't have to take them apart to clean them, or at least, not very often.

I have lived in houses with chandeliers and while they are really pretty, they are a pain in the neck to clean.

Autumn Rivers
Autumn Rivers
Autumn Rivers, a talented writer for WiseGeek, holds a B.A. in Journalism from Arizona State University. Her background in journalism helps her create well-researched and engaging content, providing readers with valuable insights and information on a variety of subjects.
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-are-the-best-tips-for-chandelier-cleaning.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.