Tips on Cleaning Chandeliers

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How To Cleaning Your Chandelier

There are few things more beautiful in a home than a fine, crystal chandelier that produces an elegant reflected light display.

If you’ve spent thousands of dollars on a fancy, authentic crystal chandelier, it’s important to take care of it.

 Neglecting the crystals can make your expensive chandelier look cheap, and improper cleaning can actually ruin the crystals and the frame!

If you have a less expensive chandelier, cleaning it as though it were an expensive heirloom can make it look so beautiful and elegant that few would be able to distinguish it from a much more expensive model.

Careful Chandelier Cleaning

The most important thing to remember when you are cleaning your chandelier is to be careful!

The crystals can easily be scratched or otherwise damaged.

The chandelier frame can also be ruined if you aren’t careful. Of course, you should also be sure to turn the light off before you remove light bulbs and crystals.

Here are some basic chandelier cleaning guidelines:

• Always use soft, cotton cloths. Paper towels and disposable dusting cloths can scratch the crystal.
• Never spray cleaner directly on the chandelier – you can damage the finish of the frame and leave marks on the crystal.
• There are rumors that it’s safe to put chandelier crystals in the dishwasher on the top shelf. This is NOT safe, and you should never try it!
• If you are clumsy or easily get dizzy, invest in inexpensive, collapsible scaffolding. It’s safer than a ladder and doesn’t take up much storage space in your garage or shed.
• Before you start taking apart an intricate chandelier, take several pictures with a digital camera from different angles if you don’t have the original diagram. Never use stickers or markers to mark pieces.

How Often to Clean Your Chandelier

Generally, you should clean your chandelier every six months. If your chandelier is very near the kitchen, it can get greasy and will need to be cleaned more often.

 If your home is new, your house probably collects more dust than older homes and your chandelier may need cleaning four times a year or more.

Entryway chandeliers near outside doors tend to need more frequent cleaning as well. If your chandelier doesn’t reflect light as well or the crystals appear dusty, milky, or spotted, it’s time to clean it.

Step by Step Cleaning

As long as you clean your chandelier twice a year, you shouldn’t have to take apart the crystals.

If your chandelier has been neglected, you should start with a complete cleaning where you take down the crystals (see below). Otherwise, you’ll need a step stool or ladder that will allow comfortable access to all crystals.

First, take out any light bulbs and set them aside.

Next, put on a pair of soft, cotton gloves. Grab a bottle of Windex or other glass cleaner and climb the ladder. Start from the top and work your way down.

Spray the glass cleaner on one of your gloves (not the chandelier), carefully wipe each crystal with the sprayed glove, and then immediately wipe the crystal with the other clean, dry glove.

The idea is to keep one glove lightly sprayed and the other one dry. It’s a good idea to have more than one pair handy if you have a lot of crystals.

On the frame and links, you should only use the dry glove. Cleaners can strip the finish. When you’re finished, wipe the light bulbs with a slightly damp cloth and replace them. Turn on the lights and enjoy your light show!

Taking Apart Your Chandelier

If you clean your chandelier often enough, you shouldn’t have to take it apart. It can be a big job, but the reward is that you won’t have to do it again for a very, very long time if ever.

Whether your chandelier is comprised of strands of crystals or individual hanging crystals, your first step is to know how it goes together.

Newer chandeliers come with diagrams that show you how to put the pieces back together. If you don’t have a diagram (or you’re not good at reading them), your first task is to grab your digital camera or Polaroid and take several pictures at different angles and levels. Be sure to get shots that are close up and far away.

When you’re ready, remove the light bulbs first and set them aside. Before you remove the crystals, you need to prepare a place to put them. Cotton T-shirts or old sheets cut into strips and placed in a bucket work well. Carefully remove the crystals and place them between layers of the cotton.

Washing the Removed Crystals

You’re going to hand wash the crystals, but if you put them directly into your sink, you will scratch them. You’ll need a soft surface to line your sink. You can either use a soft, padded sink liner or a old, folded towel.

Fill the bottom only (less than a half) of the sink with warm water. Mix in a splash of white vinegar and a drop of dish soap.

Place some of the crystals on the bottom of the sink. Allow space between the crystals (don’t dump them all in at once), and be careful not to clink the crystals together. With your hands (a sponge or brush isn’t necessary), wipe off each crystal, rinse it under clean water, dry them with a soft, cotton cloth or towel (chamois works great), then set them on a dry, folded towel. If you don’t dry the crystals right after rinsing, you risk ugly water spots.

When you’re done, use your diagram or photos to replace the crystals. In six months, you can use the glove-cleaning method above.