Tips for Preserving Your Chandelier


                                          Cleaning your Chandelier:

If your chandelier is mounted in a hard-to-reach area on the ceiling we recommend you use an Aladdin Light Lift.  Instead of standing on a wobbling ladder, this motorized lift system can bring the chandelier down to YOU for simple cleaning or changing the lightbulbs.  (Recommended)

If your chandelier is coated with dust and cobwebs, its time to clean your chandelier.  You can either hire a professional chandelier cleaner or you can save yourself the extra money and follow the steps below to do it yourself.

There are two options in cleaning your chandelier:

• Dry Cleaning:  This is for older chandeliers that you are worried about liquid getting into the wiring or the finish turning.  This option is more time consuming than Wet Cleaning, but it gives you the control and detailing.
• Wet Cleaning:  This is for detailed and ornate chandeliers, that are in hard to reach places, or if you would like to speed up the Dry Cleaning process. This technique might not work if the chandelier is really dirty. 
  

The first seven steps you want to do in both processes is:

1.  Plug-in another light source (so you can see what you are cleaning) that does not run off of the same electricity breaker as the chandelier.

2.  Turn off the light switch for the chandelier.

3.  Turn off the breaker for the chandelier.

4.  Move anything that is under or near the chandelier (tables, chairs)

5.  Place a thick blanket (or fold a blanket in half to double it) and put this on the floor directly under the chandelier.  This is to cushion the crystals just in case any fall off while you are cleaning.  If they do, they won't get chipped or broken.

6.  Place either plastic or tarp material over the blanket to repel any liquid that drips down from the chandelier.

7.  You can either buy a special chandelier cleaner solution or mix up your own.  You can make it simply by mixing one part isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) or ammonia in 3 parts distilled water.  Distilled water is very important because it doesn't leave residue on the crystal. Place the cleaner into a spray bottle. Dust off the chandelier before you start.

**REMEMBER:  DO NOT TURN YOUR CHANDELIER AS YOU CLEAN IT.  YOU SHOULD MOVE AROUND THE CHANDELIER**

Dry Cleaning Your Chandelier:
You will need 2 cloths: preferably microfiber: they are lint free and work better for smudges.

8.  Spray one of your cloths with the cleaner until it is thoroughly damp. 

9.  Wipe each crystal and chandelier body with the damp cloth.

10.  Follow up with a dry cloth to polish and dry.

Wet Cleaning Your Chandelier:

8.  Cover up all lightbulbs with sandwich bags and secure with a rubber band.

9.  Spray every part of the fixture, avoiding wires or anything electrical.

10.  Allow everything to drip dry onto the plastic and blanket below.