Cleaning a crystal chandelier tends to be one of those jobs left to last because it seems so fiddly and requires concentration. Nevertheless, it needs to be done and it's a methodical, rhythmical kind of cleaning that leaves you feeling proud of a job well done at the end of it, and the first step (deciding to do it) is really the hardest!
Restore the brightness of your crystal chandelier by giving it a good clean; your dinner parties will be brighter for it!
Steps
- If you can unhook the entire chandelier from the ceiling, then do so and gently place it down on a table or surface covered in a blanket.
- Be careful with the old and fragile parts. Normally the arms are fixed with screws to the centerpart. For this you need a screwdriver. Release these screws and fold the arms in one direction, as far as possible without forcing them.
- The tiny wires that connect the prisms to the frame can be tricky to unfasten. A pair of needle-nose pliers helps. Try not to bend and unbend wires unnecessarily as they can break.
5. Cover the sink bottoms. Place two large bath towels on the counter: one for dirty crystals, and one for clean ones.
Placing pieces in a plastic colander inside the sink is another way to protect the crystals before you wash them.
6. Clean in sections. Carefully remove the crystals from a section of the chandelier, and place them on the first towel.
Wash them in the soapy water.
Rinse in hot water, and wipe dry.
Then place them on the second towel.
When you’re done with the section, replace the prisms before moving on to the next section. Repeat until you’ve cleaned all the crystals.
7. Wipe and buff the frame. Dampen a rag in the soapy water, wipe down the frame of the chandelier, and buff dry. Be careful not to get the wiring wet. Metal frames should be cleaned with an appropriate metal cleaner.
Let the frame dry completely.
8. Reassemble the fixture, being careful not to twist the chandelier too much, since doing this can loosen it from the ceiling. Turn the fixture back on and marvel at your room’s brilliant new vibe.
Reconnecting the lamp to the power supply is a job best left to an electrician if you have gone so far as to disconnect wires.
