Lighting Maintenance 101: How to Clean and Maintain Fixtures
Regular light maintenance will help you get the most out of your fixtures and fittings. Cleaning regimes are vital if you want to enjoy your light fittings for years to come. Here are some helpful hints to guide you through light maintenance, and help you avoid a dreaded Delboy and Rodney moment!
Lighting fixtures are experts at gathering dust, dirt and grime. You don’t need to be a professional to keep them clean, you just need a few tips to get the job done safely. For expert advice you could contact a specialist lighting company, such as IOS Lighting. But you can do a fair bit yourself in the meantime. So how do you bring back the brightness and keep those pendants polished to perfection? From typical lamps, to chandeliers and LED light maintenance, here’s a guide to help you on your way.
Can I Do My Own Light Maintenance?
Yes and No!
It very much depends on what needs to be done. If it’s simply cleaning then you can do that yourself. Anything that requires you to deal with the electrics should be left to a qualified electrician.
There are some safety precautions that you should take before embarking on any type of light maintenance. Some examples include:
- Disconnect the power
- Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions
- Use the correct tools and safety clothing, if necessary
- Engage the services of a qualified electrician if the work is more complex
Standard Lighting and LED Light Maintenance
When lighting fixtures begin to show signs of wear, they should be inspected and changed or repaired. Bulb replacement is pretty obvious – when it stops working, replace it. Clean the fittings regularly to remove dust, dirt and debris. Check wiring connections to maintain the safe running of the lighting system.
LED light maintenance benefits from some additional measures. The LED lenses and diffusers work best when they are cleaned and dusted regularly, as this can have a big impact on the quality of the light that is emitted. It also helps from an aesthetic point of view, if the light fixtures are clean and bright. Finally, check that the connections are sound and that there are no damaged parts.
How Often Should I Clean Room Fixtures?
As a general rule your lighting fixtures and fittings should have a regular cleaning and maintenance routine. Every 6-12 months is sufficient. However, if any issues arise in the meantime they must be addressed immediately.
What Should I Use to Clean Light fittings?
Regular dusting with a long handled feather duster is a good way to keep your lighting clean. However, if you feel that additional cleaning is required you can use liquid soap and water, with a soft, dry cloth, to remove dirt. Be gentle with your lighting, particularly metal parts, so as not to damage the coating.
Should you be lucky enough to have a chandelier to clean, there are specialist cleaning solutions for this exact purpose. Apply it with a clean dusting cloth, and take care not to scratch the glass.
Regular light maintenance will not only keep your lights looking clean and polished; It’s essential if you want your lighting to shine brightly for longer too. You’ll be surprised at the difference a good clean and polish can have. So get those feather dusters out, and wipe away the dust of yesterday to let the brightness of today shine through.