Do You Pay Enough Attention To Grubby Light Fixtures When Cleaning?

It’s all too easy to forget about light fixtures when cleaning the home, but they can get really grubby, really quickly, especially those in rooms that are frequently used, such as kitchens and bathrooms. But all light fixtures, wherever they may be in your home, are prone to gathering dust and grime, and when you don’t clean them, it can have a detrimental effect on the quality of lighting in each space, in some instances, reducing the amount of light they produce by as much as 30%.

If you’ve been neglecting your light fixtures (and don’t worry, you’re definitely not alone!), you can add them to the list of cleaning duties if hiring a cleaning service, or if tackling them yourself, use these methods to get them clean and brighten up your home:

Dust them regularly

Most light fixtures benefit from being dusted on a weekly basis, and provided you have a long-handled tool for dusting (preferably microfiber to prevent dust from falling down onto surfaces below), this shouldn’t take more than a few minutes of your time.

As well as dusting, try to clean all removable light fixtures by washing them in soapy water, every month or so. You may also find a lot of creepy crawlies hiding in them, which if not gotten rid of, can seriously affect the amount of light the fittings are able to produce.

Clean recessed lighting like this:

Make sure that the light has been switched off for at least an hour before dusting, and for a deeper clean, wipe the interior with a damp cloth once the bulb has been removed.

Clean pendant lights like this:

If you can easily reach them, dusting the bulbs in place can be done once they have cooled. The exterior of the globes can be sprayed and wiped clean, while all other hanging components should be dusted, dry.

Clean ornamental fixtures like this:

Some of these particular fixtures may be quite delicate and ornate, so using a dry paintbrush or feather duster might be the safest and most effective option for cleaning them.

Clean crystal chandeliers like this:

With a little extra time and patience, you can clean these perfectly well without having to take them down altogether.

Turn off the lights, allow to cool, and put a large sheet or cloth underneath the chandelier to catch any dust or debris that may fall down. With a safe step ladder that you’re comfortable using, take a glass cleaning solution and a clean cloth, and spray and wipe each crystal dry. You may wish to wear an apron to hold your cleaning supplies in while up the ladder.

Quick light fixtures fixes

For dusting bulbs, dryer sheets can be very effective and convenient.

When spraying and cleaning overhead fixtures, wear glasses or goggles to protect your eyes from falling dust, debris, or cleaning solution.

If your light fixtures haven’t been cleaned in a while (if at all!), you may need to apply a little more elbow grease to get them fully clean. Use your favorite all-purpose cleaner (white vinegar and water is a great natural solution) and get to work wearing a glove or sock on your hand.

Make your home lighter and brighter by cleaning up the light fixtures, and as you can see from the handy hints above, it doesn’t have to be a mammoth task; even less so if you choose to hire a professional cleaning service.