Cleaning Glass Light Fixtures

Light fixtures are often overlooked in our cleaning routines. Of all of our lighting methods, glass light fixtures may require more frequent cleaning since we rely upon their intensity to see in the dark. If you've an overhead glass light fixture, the shade needs to be free of grime, dust, and bugs so that the light will shine through when you need it.

If you have glass table lamps in your home, it is a good idea to clean all of the lamps from one room, or one floor, on a weekend, and then clean other glass lamps from another floor or room another weekend. Gather all of your glass table lamps, place them all on your kitchen table, and then follow these simple guidelines to clean them:

1. Before removing your lamps from their tables, turn off their switch and unplug them. If your lamp has been on, allow the bulb to cool before you clean it.
2. Once you've placed your lamps on the kitchen table, remove the light bulbs and tubes, shades, globes, shields, and removable metal pieces.
3. Run your kitchen sink full of hot water, adding dishwashing liquid, until you have heavy suds.
4. In a large pail, mix the same solution of hot water and detergent.
5. Cover your kitchen countertops with clean bath towels.
6. Place the parts you removed from the lamp into the sink. Do not place light bulbs or tubes into the water, however. Allow the pieces to sit in the hot water for about ten minutes.
7. In the meantime, use a soft sponge or cloth with the solution in your pail to clean the lamps themselves. Wash them thoroughly, taking care not to get water into the light socket.
8. While your lamps are air drying on the table, gently wash the lamp parts in the sink, rinse them with hot water, and then place them on the towels to air dry. It is always best to allow glass to air dry, thus avoiding streaks.
9. Allow all of the parts and lamps to air dry for at least an hour, and then reassemble them.

If you've ceiling or wall light fixtures, carefully remove the shades and wash them in a sink or tub of hot water and detergent. Rinse them and allow to air dry. Use a soft cloth and soapy water to wash the light fixtures attached to the wall or ceiling, taking great care not to let water run into the light socket. Allow the shades to air dry, and then reassemble the lamp. Polish metal parts of glass light fixtures with metal polish or wax once they dry.