What to consider when undergoing lighting fixture maintenance?

To ensure they’ll sparkle & light up your room for years to come, you’ll want to ensure you pay attention to their maintenance. Effective maintenance can remove dirt debris, prevent energy waste, and stop your lighting aesthetic from visually degrading.

The best part about sustaining your lighting fixtures?

It's a task you can easily do, the steps are straightforward, and you don't have to bother your bank balance by hiring a professional. Follow these simple suggestions for your lights to stay in peak condition. 

Why do you need to clean light fixtures?

High quality lighting fixtures aren't cheap, but they are cost effective in the long term if looked after well. To ensure they stay in good condition for as long as possible, you’ll want to do more than just the occasional weekly or monthly dusting.

We recommend giving an entire deep clean every six months to ensure they stay pristine. Simply undergoing monthly and biyearly maintenance can provide you with the following benefits:

Better brightness

With sufficient and regular cleaning of your fixtures, dust, and dirt can be eliminated from the bulb's surface. This helps keep brightness at optimum levels by ensuring nothing is blocking the light passage. Which allows your room to stay well lit, saving the need to purchase bulbs with a higher wattage.

Extends longevity

The accumulation of dust and dirt can have a direct effect on the performance of your lights. Over time, they can cause wear and tear to the wiring and mechanical aspects, making them break down and shortening their life span. Frequent cleaning and maintenance can slow the breakdown, allowing you to maximize their output saving you money.

Reduces overheating

If grime builds up on the bulbs of your lighting fixtures, it can create an additional layer of insulation. This can lead to uneven heat dissipation, potentially causing your lighting to overheat and often increasing the likelihood of dust catching fire. Regular cleaning keeps them cool, preventing them from becoming a fire hazard. 

Stops bulbs from overheating

Regular lighting maintenance can stop bugs from accumulating and nesting near the bulb. This is especially effective in darker and colder climates where bugs see the light as a form of navigation, drawing them to your lighting fixtures. Regular maintenance stops them from nesting and encourages the even dissipation of heat, stopping the likelihood of bulbs overheating.

Stops allergy flare ups

If dust or dust mites heat up on your lightbulbs, they can become airborne, causing allergens to circulate. These can be quickly inhaled, entering your respiratory system causing symptoms like coughing, sneezing, congestion or even infections. Cleaning lighting fixtures frequently reduce the likelihood of infections and symptoms occurring.

How to look after your lighting fixtures

To clean your lighting fixtures effectively, you'll want to do the following:

Gather the necessary supplies

Before you start cleaning your lights, preparation is key. When it comes to preparation, It's up to you to decide what supplies you require based on the type of lighting you have fitted. However, as a starting point, you might want to get the following:

• Step ladder
• Duster
• Dish soap
• Warm water
• Microfiber cloths
• Light cleaner
• Cleaning solution (often a mix of 3:1 water to white vinegar ratio) or mild glass detergent

Pro Tip: You don't want to risk ruining the aesthetic of a light with a glass finish, especially one with a frosted glass finish like the semi-opaque discs on the Astrid.

To minimize this risk, always apply a little detergent to a small area of the glass before cleaning. When possible, use an ammonia or alkaline-based cleaning solution as they're less likely to stain the glass and leave streaks behind.

Clean according to the light fixture

To truly keep your fixtures glistening and dirt free, try and clean according to the fixture type.

Pro Tip: Before cleaning any lighting fixture, ensure you have turned off all the electricity or the lights are unplugged. Once off, ensure the bulbs are fully cool before touching them. The last thing you will want to receive is a burn or an electric shock.

Crystal Chandeliers

To keep your chandelier sparkling, you'll want to do the following:

1. Wipe down the chandelier fixture, bulbs, and crystals.
2. Gently remove the crystals for deep cleaning. However, if your light has a lot of crystals like the Umbra or Athena, it's best to take photos first from different angles to know where to reassemble later.
3. Put the crystals in warm and soapy water.

Pro Tip: Line the tub of water with a towel to stop your crystals from getting chipped or scratched.

1. Wash every crystal with a sponge or soft cloth, rinse with cold water, and dry with a microfiber cloth.
2. Reassemble the crystals to the chandelier according to the photos you've taken.

If you are seeking a more detailed explanation, check out our article on how to clean a crystal chandelier.

Pendant lights

For pendant lights like Jewels & Pearls cleaning is slightly different due to the cable or chord they hang from. Most of the time, with these types of lights, you can clean them as they are, but make sure to remove the lightbulb first. 

Then do the following:

1. Wipe down each lightbulb.
2. Gently clean each lightbulb with a sponge and soapy water.
3. Wipe down the chord and the external structure with a soft microfiber cloth, removing dust and debris.
4. If you have any tight areas or crevices, use a damp cotton swab to remove dirt.

Pay careful consideration to outdoor lights

If you own sleek and stylish outdoor lighting fixtures like the Chaz and Meadow, additional maintenance tasks are necessary to preserve their function and aesthetic. Compared to indoor lights, they’re subject to various elements getting dirty more quickly. In addition to cleaning, you'll want to do the following:

Regular inspections

Because outdoor lights are subject to more hazardous elements like rain, wind, snow, and sun, alongside being exposed to surrounding plants or shrubbery, you'll want to conduct frequent inspections.

Look for any wear and tear, cracked glass, scratches, loose screws or corrosion. This will help you know what to replace to keep them functioning for a long duration.

Pro Tip: If plants or shrubbery are nearby your outdoor lighting, cut or remove them so they don't scratch or block the light passage.

Cover connections

Another task you'll want to undergo is ensuring all the electrical connections to your home are well sealed. Frequently checking the coverage will stop moisture from entering your outdoor lighting, preventing it from breaking down. Add a silicone layer to seal the lights, or use a cover if needed.

Apply citronella candles

Bugs like mosquitoes and moths can easily be attracted to your outdoor lights, gathering around your fixtures. If a lot of them collect around your lights they can reduce the amount of lighting output, shortening the lifespan and even die on them causing your outdoor fixtures to corrode. To stop this from happening, applying citronella candles to the outer perimeters of your light can help repel bugs.

Wrapping up

Overall, the attention you place towards your fixtures should not just stop at the purchase. To ensure they stay in pristine condition and have a long lifespan, it's essential you undergo maintenance checks every 6 months.

Take into account the style of your lighting fixture type, glass, and covering they have when undergoing maintenance tasks. Always verify that the cleaning products are safe for your fixtures before applying. Regularly inspect indoor and outdoor lights for any signs of wear and tear, such as scratches, cracked edges, or corrosion.

If you're unsure what the most effective maintenance method is for your fixture, reach out to our customer service representatives who will happily guide you on how to keep your lighting in peak condition.