| By :
Mark Etinger
Does your crystal chandelier look like it belongs in a haunted mansion? Then you should probably look into cleaning it. But being that it's high up on your ceiling, and often times, covered in decades of grime, the task can be a little more daunting than you initially realize. If your crystal chandelier just doesn't have the same sparkle it did years ago, here are a few tips to help you get it clean, clear, and just as luminous as you remember it to be. First off, most people clean their crystal chandeliers anywhere from every 3 months to every 6 months. It's really up to you and how much time you have to dedicate to cleaning. All in all, crystal chandeliers need cleaning when they appear dull and grimy. You can usually tell this when the light cast from the chandeliers is yellowish and slightly more dim than usual. Before you clean, you should power off your crystal chandelier and set up alternative lighting nearby. 1) Set up a drop cloth below the chandelier to catch any dripping cleaning solution, dirt or dust. 2) If there are any upward pointing light bulbs, you'll need to cover them. Some common methods of covering bulbs are with baby socks, sandwich bags and rubber bands, or cling wrap. 3) Next you're going to create a mixture of one part isopropyl alcohol and three parts distilled water. If you're wary of mixing your own cleaning, many lighting retailers sell special chandelier cleaning solutions already mixed. Just be careful not to purchase something with ammonia in it. Ammonia has been said to degrade the frame finish of crystal chandeliers. If you're making your own mixture, you should put it in a spray bottle for easy and through application. 4) An easy to way thoroughly clean every crystal is to use a pair of white cotton gloves. You can spray one glove with the cleaning solution, and leave on dry. Use the sprayed glove to handle each crystal and wipe away the grime an dust. Use the dry glove to wipe away any residual cleaning solution and polish the crystals to a bright sheen. 5) In addition to cleaning the crystals, you'll want to polish any brass or metal while you're up there. If you have on the white gloves or have rag handy, apply a high-quality metal or brass polish and buff out any dust and grime. 6) If your chandelier is in a very difficult are to access, or you simply don't feel comfortable standing on a ladder for long periods of time, meticulously wiping each crystal clean, you should hire a professional. Alternatively, you can retrofit your chandelier with a lowering device made for hanging lamps to make cleaning easier for you and anyone else responsible. In short, cleaning your chandelier periodically is important maintaining its unique beauty. Crystal chandeliers are great investments for your home, and when taken care of, they can dazzle for years to come.
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