Methods of cleaning

There are a couple of methods that you can use to clean your chandelier lights. We’re going to address the three most popular methods:- the drip-dry method, the white glove method and the complete crystal removal cleaning method.

Drip Dry

The first is the drip-dry method. This requires your favourite glass cleaner, or if you prefer, you can shop for a specialist chandelier spray cleaner.

Step 1

Make sure that the ceiling light is switched off. For extra safety, make sure that you turn it off at the consumer unit.

Step 2

Take the lamps (bulbs) out of the fitting and then plug up the sockets with tissue paper. This helps make sure that liquid doesn’t get into any unwanted places on the fitting.

Step 3

Since we’re using the drip-dry method, there will be drips that fall to the floor, so make sure to protect the floor with a dust sheet or some old newspaper. 

Step 4

Liberally apply the glass cleaner or chandelier cleaner to the fitting. Make sure not to overdo it! 

Step 5

Wait! That’s all you have to do. Spray the fitting and wait for liquid to drip, as this should take the majority of the dust with it as it falls.

Step 6

Make sure to give enough time for the fitting to dry properly. This is important as liquid near electricity isn’t good! While you’re waiting for the fitting to dry, it’s also a good idea to give the light bulbs a clean also! Dust collects on these too.

Step 7

Replace the lamps and turn everything back on. If everything went well, there should be a remarkable sparkle as the light comes back on!

This is by far the fastest method, but you’ll find that you’ll need to do this more regularly than the other methods to ensure that dust is being removed properly.

Next up, we discuss the white glove cleaning method. This is more involved and will involve working at height for a long period of time, so make sure that you’re comfortable and that all of your equipment is up to the task.

White Glove Cleaning

This method is a less messy than the drip-dry method. You’ll need a solution of glass cleaner or chandelier cleaner in a bowl or suitable container. On occasion, it's fine to use the gloves as a duster without a chandelier cleaning solution.

Step 1

Make sure that the electricity is turned off. As with the drip-dry method, turning the power of at the consumer unit is the best way to be safe.

Step 2

Using a step ladder or something similar to provide a safe platform for working at height, make sure that everything is stable and that you have the solution and gloves ready.

Step 3

Wearing the gloves, you should now dip your finger into the solution and then make sure to clean both the strands and the crystals. Make sure to manipulate the crystal sufficiently with the glove to ensure the best cleaning.

Replace the cleaning solution as required – it’s no good to clean with dirty solution!

Make sure that when you’re handling the crystals that you use gloves as you’d be surprised what marks that even the cleanest of fingers can leave on a crystal. Even the slightest mark will impede the way the light reflects through the crystal!

Finally, we cover the complete removal method – the most time-consuming method of all the methods discussed today, but the most complete and thorough.

Complete crystal removal cleaning method

This method of cleaning is the one we employ when cleaning chandeliers both in our showrooms and when cleaning for client. It’s favoured if your fitting hasn’t been cleaned for a year or more as it’s the most thorough and complete method of cleaning, and often has the most noticeable results.

You have to consider that this a very time-consuming method and requires thorough preparation and the utmost methodical approach to removing strands and then replacing them.

If you’ve kept original installation/assembly instructions from the manufacturer, then you’ll likely have a diagram on where things need to go, but if not, you’ll need to document everything. We cannot stress how important it is for you to make sure that you know where each individual strand came from, and where it should be placed when reassembling the fitting.

Take pictures with your smartphone, a video or contact the manufacturer for their diagrams before you attempt to take a chandelier down for cleaning in this manner. Better to be safe than sorry!

Also – you might like to take a photo of the fitting before and after to be able to show the difference!

Step 1

Carefully remove each strand from the light and make sure a) you know where it should be placed to when returning it and b) that you don’t knock or scratch other crystal or parts of the fitting while removing it.

Step 2

Place each strand in a bowl of glass gleaning solution or chandelier cleaning solution and ensure that the strand is cleaned properly. You’ll see the results of cleaning almost immediately depending on how dirty or dusty the fitting was before cleaning.

Use this water/solution to clean between ten and twenty strands. Rinse the strands with cold water once they have been cleaned.

Step 3

Using a white cotton glove, preferably one that doesn’t shed material, or a microfiber cloth – again one that does not shed material, dab the crystals and strands dry.

Step 4

While you have all of the strands removed from the fitting, now is a good time to properly clean the fixture. 

Step 5 

Replace the strands on the fitting to the same position they were taken from. Once you’ve finished getting everything back in place, stand back and admire the true beauty of the fitting.

This method is, again, by far the most time consuming but clearly the most rewarding and results in some beautiful shine from your fitting.

Make sure that once you’re done, work out a plan to dust the fitting regularly – a couple of times per month, and then repeat the cleaning process once every year.

We covered the three most popular methods of cleaning your crystal chandelier and hope that they help you maintain the beauty and natural shine of your chandelier. If you have any questions about the methods or want to talk to someone about our chandelier cleaning services, please get in touch with us.