When you walk through a two-story entryway and see a sparkling chandelier hanging from the ceiling, it’s nothing less than breathtaking. High ceilings and chandeliers go perfectly together. However, you’d likely see loads of dust and grime if you could get close to that chandelier. You can’t realistically clean a chandelier that high every week, so the only choice is to clean it several times a year. If your chandelier has lost its shine, read on for a few helpful tips for cleaning chandeliers on high ceilings.
Gather Your Supplies
Once you climb up to clean a chandelier, you don’t want to go back down for forgotten supplies. The first thing you need is an appropriate ladder to reach the light. Use a ladder with a fold-out ledge to hold your cleaning supplies. Then, gather these items:
- Soft, dry cloths
- Glass cleaner
- Isopropyl Alcohol
You can also use an extending duster and compressed air to spray off dust if you prefer. However, these tools aren’t necessary to get the job done.
Begin Cleaning
One of the most helpful tips for cleaning chandeliers on high ceilings is to turn off the electrical power to the light. You don’t want to risk electrocution! Next, unscrew the lightbulb, and carefully remove the glass shade from the fixture. Bicycle Glass's fixtures have easily removable shades for convenient cleaning. Place the shade somewhere it won’t get damaged (like on a soft towel), then follow these steps to get your chandelier sparkling:
Remove Dust and Grime
Gently dust the chandelier from the top. The dry cloth will remove surface dust easily. If you find caked-on dirt or smudged fingerprints, remove them with a damp (not wet) cloth.
Wipe Down Metal Parts
Finally, use a clean, dry cloth to wipe down any remaining metal parts of the chandelier and remove spots or fingerprints. Spray cleaner onto another soft cloth. Carefully wipe down the chandelier components. Avoid spraying cleaner directly on the chandelier, as the product could damage the metal or electrical connections.
Clean Your Globes
Spray glass cleaner onto another soft cloth. Carefully wipe each piece of glass. Finish off by spraying the globes with isopropyl alcohol and wiping it away with a soft cloth for a like-new shine.
Reassemble Your Chandelier
Carefully put the globes back onto the chandelier. We recommend wearing gloves to avoid getting fingerprints on the clean glass. Screw the lightbulbs back into place, and turn the power back on.
Maintain Your Chandelier
Now that your chandelier is like new, you’ll want to maintain it. The next time you perform a deep clean, it won’t take as much time and effort! Plus, you can go longer in between cleaning if you keep up with the dust bunnies. For the best results, use an extension duster that allows you to wipe off the dust from the chandelier each week.
You should now have a sparkling lighting fixture! A clean chandelier is impressive, and if you prefer unique lights in your home, consider a hand-blown glass chandelier from Bicycle Glass. It’s perfect for foyers, entryways, and other locations because it features hand-blown glass by talented artisans in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Browse our online store, and contact us with any questions.
