Crystal chandeliers are beautiful to look at, except when they are dulled by a thick coating of dust. To keep a crystal chandelier sparkling, clean it at least once a year.
There are different approaches to cleaning the crystal prisms.
King Chandelier Co. in Eden, N.C., recommends you remove the trimmings to clean them, while others say they can be cleaned in place. Move around the chandelier as you go, rather than twirling it.
If you choose the remove method, make a diagram before you start, noting how the prisms are attached, and put something soft under the chandelier in case a piece drops off and to prevent scratches on tabletops.
It’s not just the crystal that needs protection but also the metal parts. “A mild soap should always be used, because strong chemicals [such as vinegar and ammonia] can cause the pinning to blacken faster and become brittle over time,” said Bill Ague, lighting consultant at Wolberg Electrical Supply in Albany, N.Y. “Actually, you should never use anything harsh on pewter and brass or anything that’s lacquered, for that matter.”
Never spray a cleaner onto the chandelier. Control the liquid by spraying it on a soft, lint-free cloth and carefully wipe each prism clean and thoroughly dry it to prevent water spots. If you wash the prisms in water, rinse with very hot water to prevent water spots.
Instead of a cloth, try slipping on a pair of cotton gloves sprayed lightly with a glass cleaner for touch-ups in between major cleanings.
To keep crystal chandeliers clean longer, dust them on a regular basis with a quality feather duster or blow off dust with a spray can of compressed air, which can be found in photo or electronics stores.
Also clean the light bulbs. Clean light bulbs help the chandelier look bright–even when it otherwise needs cleaning.
Just don’t try to clean a bulb while it’s on, hot or warm, because the bulbs can shatter immediately upon contact with the wet cleaner, no matter what kind you use.
