9 Tips to Keep Your Light Fixtures Shining Brightly
Try these nine easy tips for cleaning your pendants, sconces, track lighting and more
The light fixtures in your home should be cleaned on a regular basis so you can let as much light into your rooms as possible. Plus, you don’t want to have your fixtures looking smeared and foggy. Here are nine green cleaning tips and tricks to keep glass lights looking crystal clear and metal and fabric fixtures squeaky clean.
2. The chains that bind
When cleaning pendants and hanging lights, don’t forget to clean the cords, chains and fixtures that are holding the lights. These can get a nasty build-up, especially in the kitchen when grease mixes with the dust. You can use a few drops of a grease-cutting detergent on a wet microfibre cloth to cut through the greasy build-up.
When cleaning pendants and hanging lights, don’t forget to clean the cords, chains and fixtures that are holding the lights. These can get a nasty build-up, especially in the kitchen when grease mixes with the dust. You can use a few drops of a grease-cutting detergent on a wet microfibre cloth to cut through the greasy build-up.
3. It’s alright to be shady
If you have light fixtures that have fabric shades on them, there are a few easy ways to keep the dust from building up. First, wipe the fabric with a clean, dry microfibre cloth, which will remove most of the dust.
You can also use a lint roller to capture the dust without spreading it onto the surface below. If there is a severe build-up on the shade, remove it from the fixture and use the dusting brush attachment on your vacuum to remove all the build-up.
Redesigning your home? Find a local lighting designer near you for expert advice
If you have light fixtures that have fabric shades on them, there are a few easy ways to keep the dust from building up. First, wipe the fabric with a clean, dry microfibre cloth, which will remove most of the dust.
You can also use a lint roller to capture the dust without spreading it onto the surface below. If there is a severe build-up on the shade, remove it from the fixture and use the dusting brush attachment on your vacuum to remove all the build-up.
Redesigning your home? Find a local lighting designer near you for expert advice
4. Hiding in the ’hood
One light fixture that always gets overlooked is the one in your range hood. This lighting fixture usually has a plastic cover to protect it from spattered grease. The cover needs to be cleaned as often as your stove or it will become covered with grease and won’t let the light through completely. Use a simple grease-cutting cleaner to keep it squeaky clean.
One light fixture that always gets overlooked is the one in your range hood. This lighting fixture usually has a plastic cover to protect it from spattered grease. The cover needs to be cleaned as often as your stove or it will become covered with grease and won’t let the light through completely. Use a simple grease-cutting cleaner to keep it squeaky clean.
5. Don’t forget the bathroom
Light fixtures in your bathroom can be very difficult to clean if they are not cleaned on a regular basis. The dust mixes with the steam from the shower and creates a thick paste that dries on the fixtures and can be hard to remove.
Try to get into the habit of cleaning the fixtures as often as you clean the vanity mirror. If you make it part of a systematic cleaning, you’ll never have to worry about that thick build-up on the tops of the bathroom lights.
Browse more beautifully designed Australian bathrooms
Light fixtures in your bathroom can be very difficult to clean if they are not cleaned on a regular basis. The dust mixes with the steam from the shower and creates a thick paste that dries on the fixtures and can be hard to remove.
Try to get into the habit of cleaning the fixtures as often as you clean the vanity mirror. If you make it part of a systematic cleaning, you’ll never have to worry about that thick build-up on the tops of the bathroom lights.
Browse more beautifully designed Australian bathrooms
6. Rinse cycle
A quick tip for cleaning the glass on a wall sconce is to pop them in your dishwasher if the material allows (avoid doing this with any that have a special finish). Place them on the top rack and let the dishwasher run through a complete cycle. Try not to put them in with greasy pots and pans.
Your dishwasher will clean off the dust and film that has accumulated on the glass. If there are any spots on them, you can touch them up with a fine-woven microfibre cloth.
A quick tip for cleaning the glass on a wall sconce is to pop them in your dishwasher if the material allows (avoid doing this with any that have a special finish). Place them on the top rack and let the dishwasher run through a complete cycle. Try not to put them in with greasy pots and pans.
Your dishwasher will clean off the dust and film that has accumulated on the glass. If there are any spots on them, you can touch them up with a fine-woven microfibre cloth.
7. Recessed radiance
Recessed lighting should be cleaned by removing the light bulb and dusting inside the recessed area. Turn the lights off and let the bulbs completely cool. Remove the lights and use a dry microfibre cloth to capture the dust inside the fixture. Make sure you wipe the area carefully so the container is not loosened. Be aware that recessed lights are usually held up in the ceiling with spring-like hangers that can be difficult to reconnect.
Recessed lighting should be cleaned by removing the light bulb and dusting inside the recessed area. Turn the lights off and let the bulbs completely cool. Remove the lights and use a dry microfibre cloth to capture the dust inside the fixture. Make sure you wipe the area carefully so the container is not loosened. Be aware that recessed lights are usually held up in the ceiling with spring-like hangers that can be difficult to reconnect.
8. Keeping track
Track lighting should be dusted at least every two weeks to prevent a build-up of dust and grime on the tops of the light fixtures. These can be dusted with an extendable feather duster. Make sure you dust in and around the light bulb. Cobwebs tend to build up inside the heads around the bulbs.
Track lighting should be dusted at least every two weeks to prevent a build-up of dust and grime on the tops of the light fixtures. These can be dusted with an extendable feather duster. Make sure you dust in and around the light bulb. Cobwebs tend to build up inside the heads around the bulbs.
9. Take it outside
Outdoor light fixtures need to be cleaned regularly too. We sometimes overlook them since they are out of sight when we are doing our cleaning. Use a broom or blower to remove insects and spider webs around the lights. The glass light fixtures can be put in the dishwasher to remove dirt and grime.
Outdoor light fixtures need to be cleaned regularly too. We sometimes overlook them since they are out of sight when we are doing our cleaning. Use a broom or blower to remove insects and spider webs around the lights. The glass light fixtures can be put in the dishwasher to remove dirt and grime.
Your turn
How do you keep your light fixtures clean? Share your tricks in the Comments below. And remember to like this story, save the images and join the conversation.
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Need more practical advice to keep your home well-maintained? Read Out, Damned Spot! Your Essential Guide to Handling Carpet Stains
How do you keep your light fixtures clean? Share your tricks in the Comments below. And remember to like this story, save the images and join the conversation.
More
Need more practical advice to keep your home well-maintained? Read Out, Damned Spot! Your Essential Guide to Handling Carpet Stains
Hanging light fixtures should be dusted as often as the furniture in the room. You can use an extendable microfibre duster or a simple feather duster. Once a month you should wipe the glass with a damp, fine-woven microfibre cloth, getting inside as well as outside of the glass fixture.