Nothing adds elegance to a home better than a beautiful and intricate chandelier hanging above. Beautiful as they are, you have to remember that dust and grime can cover them, decreasing their lovely appearance and light. Chandeliers are fragile, but as long as you know what to do, cleaning them won’t be such a difficult task.

Cleaning Preparations

• If there are any appliances or furniture under the chandelier, move them away.
• Lay down old towels underneath the chandelier, to help you clean up later. These will also cushion crystals in case they fall.
• Make sure the power is off. Turn off the electricity from the breaker box and turn off the chandelier’s power from the light switch. Place a tape over it, to make sure no one accidentally switches it while you’re working.
• Set up an alternative lighting source that’s on another breaker switch.
• If your chandelier has an intricate design, and you need to take it apart, it’s best to take several pictures of it first from different angles, so you’ll have a guide when putting it back.
• Cover chandelier light sockets with plastic bags and secure them with rubber bands or twist ties.
• Set up the ladder you’re using.

Methods Of Cleaning Chandeliers

There are two effective methods of cleaning chandeliers: dry cleaning or wet cleaning. The choice depends on the way you clean the fixture, as well as its accessibility. For example, you have a very intricate chandelier or one that’s too high to reach, you’ll need to opt for wet cleaning. If not, then dry cleaning would be better.

Dry Cleaning

This method can be time-consuming and tiring, but it will help you avoid getting liquid into the electrical wiring.

What You’ll Need:

• Soft (preferably microfiber cloths)
• Glass cleaner
• Ladder

Procedure:

1. Make sure the power is off and the bulbs are cool to the touch before you begin.



2. With a couple of cloths in hand, climb up the ladder carefully, until you reach the chandelier. Put yourself in a comfortable position.
3. Spray glass cleaner on a cloth, then wipe a piece of the glass with it. Use the second dry cloth to wipe the cleaned glass dry.
4. When the cloths you’re using are dirty, replace them with clean ones.

Wet Cleaning

This is the quicker, but messier method. You’ll need to wait for a couple of days before using the chandelier again.

What You’ll Need:

• Tarp
• Plastic bags
• Chandelier cleaner or glass cleaner

Procedure:

1. Spread a tarp or plastic underneath the chandelier to catch drips and avoid staining and wetting your floor.
2. Make sure all the light bulbs are secure inside plastic bags.
3. Spray the whole fixture with a glass cleaner or chandelier cleaner, wetting the chandelier from every angle possible.
4. Let the chandelier drip dry.

Taking A Chandelier Apart

If neglected, chandeliers can gather up more grime and dirt than usual, and the two methods above won’t be as effective. You’ll have to take the chandelier apart, then put it back together.

What You’ll Need:

• Old cotton towels and shirts
• White vinegar (For other uses of vinegar, read 25 other uses for vinegar)
• Dish soap
• Sink liner

Procedure:

1. Refer to the chandelier diagram that came with it when you bought it. If you can’t read them properly, take photos of the fixture with your camera, from different up close and far angles.
2. Remove the light bulbs first, setting them aside carefully.
3. Lay down old cotton shirts or towels. When you remove the crystals, put them on these, so they won’t break.
4. Line your sink with a sink liner or a folded towel. Fill its bottom with warm water and mix in a drop of dish soap (For more information regarding dish soap, see history of dish soap) and white vinegar.
5. Line the crystals at the sink bottom, spacing the adequately; don’t clink them together. Use your hands to wipe each crystal off, then rinse it under clean and cold water.
6. Dry the crystals with a soft cotton towel and set on a dry towel. Dry them thoroughly to avoid water spots.
7. Put back the crystals carefully.

Contrary to what you think, cleaning a chandelier isn’t a tedious task. Just follow these steps and you’ll surely finish this in no time. Make sure you don’t break the crystals!

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