Crystal chandeliers and lamps are a beautiful addition to many interiors. However, they have one small (easily removable) flaw. Pretty soon, the sparkling crystal begins to fade. The highlight of the interior turns into a dusty and groomed element that spoils the appearance of the room.
Since such lamps are used in different rooms (living room, bedroom, bathroom and even the kitchen), the main types of pollution that poison the lives of housewives include: dust, soot and greasy deposits, lime from steam, traces of insects.
Before the first general cleaning after acquiring a spectacular lighting fixture, the housewives look longingly at the ceiling, wondering how to wash the crystal chandelier with pendants. In this article we will present you some recommendations that will allow you to cope with this task quite quickly and your chandelier will sparkle again in bright colors.
How to wash a crystal chandelier: basic rules
Crystal is a special material that requires delicate handling and compliance with certain rules when caring for it. Only in this case, it will not darken, and on the surface there will be no stains and fingerprints. You may be surprised, but the temperature of the detergent composition matters. It should not be too hot, or very cold. Otherwise, the sparkling glass will darken. For him, the optimum temperature is about +28 ° C.
And one more little secret - at the final stage, when you wipe clean parts, you should work in clean cloth gloves so that no fingerprints remain on the parts.
Chandelier preparation
Before starting the procedure, the chandelier should be prepared. Disconnect it from the network. Remove all removable elements of the device (crystals, pendants, etc.). Now you need to prepare a solution that will help you easily cope with the most difficult pollution.
People who know how to properly wash a crystal chandelier are sure that there are no trifles in this matter. It is important to choose the right container in which you will wash the appliance. It is advisable to give preference not to an iron, but to a plastic basin. Cover its bottom and walls with cotton towels so as not to scratch the crystal details.
Chandelier Cleaners
Below we will present you a few tools that will help you deal with pollution on the chandelier. Undoubtedly, they are in the arsenal of every housewife. Regardless of which one you prefer, you should follow simple rules.
The ingredients are dissolved in purified water, the temperature of which should not exceed +28 ° C. Many make one mistake when using hot water for washing, in the hope that it will certainly dissolve all fat deposits. This is a delusion that can lead to darkening of crystal.
Ammonia
In 275 ml of purified warm water, dissolve 30 ml of ammonia. It can be replaced with ammonium hydroxide. Pour warm water into the basin so that it completely covers all pendants. After that, ammonia solution can be poured into the container.
Wash the crystal elements thoroughly with a cotton cloth. Then spread a soft cloth on the table (without lint), lay out all the details and give them time to dry. After that, they can be rubbed with a microfiber cloth to remove smudges.
Soap and baking soda
How to wash a crystal chandelier with soap, which was a faithful assistant to our grandmothers, and soda? Extremely simple: grate a third of a piece of regular 72% laundry soap on a fine grater, mix the resulting shavings with 35 grams of baking soda. Add a quarter liter of warm water and gently foam the composition with your hands. In this composition, moisten a soft cloth and treat each element with it. Then lay out the parts on the table so that the glass is moisture. Dry with a clean cloth.
Vinegar solution
Due to lack of time, many housewives are interested in how to quickly wash a crystal chandelier. In our opinion, this is one of the fastest ways. True, it has one drawback - the smell, but it disappears very quickly. Pour warm water into the basin and add 45 ml of 9% table vinegar and 35 grams of edible salt, but not iodized, from which the crystal darkens, but stone. Thoroughly mix the composition so that all crystals dissolve. When it becomes completely homogeneous, lower the details into it. Use a soft cloth to wash them and wipe them dry.
Dishware
It’s easy to guess how to wash a crystal chandelier with a dishwashing gel. Meanwhile, this is one of the most effective methods. Dissolve two tablespoons of detergent in a basin of warm water and froth it with your hands. In the resulting composition, lower the pendants or the whole chandelier. Using gauze or any tissue wipe, you can easily remove fat deposits, lime and soot. After the parts have dried, rub them with dry gauze.
How to wash a crystal chandelier without removing it from the ceiling?
Here, probably, it should be clarified that part of the details still have to be removed, but only those that are easily amenable. Disconnect the chandelier from the power supply. Spread a double towel on a table or any flat surface. Wear gloves and remove only items that are easy to remove. Spread them at a distance from each other so as not to scratch.
You already know how to wash a crystal chandelier with an ammonia compound. You will need it in this case. Another common mistake: some mistresses add “soap” to it to enhance the effect, but this will only cause an undesirable matte film to appear on the crystal and metal parts.
Dip the parts that could be removed into the prepared solution. Rinse them with a soft cloth, place on a towel and leave to dry. Meanwhile, wipe with a swab or gauze soaked in the prepared solution remaining on the ceiling chandelier. After that, wipe it with a dry, lint-free cloth.
Insect traces
To get rid of them you will need vodka or ethyl alcohol. Dampen a cotton pad in it, wipe all parts, including those attached to the ceiling. Old dirt can not immediately succumb: in this case, apply a napkin for about a minute, and then remove the residue with gauze.
Bronze details
How to wash a crystal chandelier without removing, and at the same time tidy up the bronze jewelry? To clean them, you will need a special composition: ammonia and tooth powder. Mix them in equal proportions, take a small amount of the product on a cloth and process the bronze parts. Five minutes later, remove excess with a damp cloth and wipe dry.
How to clean threads, crevices, small parts?
To do this, you need an old, outdated toothbrush. Soak it in ammonium hydroxide or ammonia and carefully wipe all the patterns and small parts. After that, rub them with a microfiber cloth, moisten it, previously in table vinegar and wipe dry.
Ready-made compounds
Talking about how to wash a crystal chandelier, we talked only about the means that can be prepared at home. Meanwhile, there are ready-made compounds that you can buy in the economic departments of supermarkets. Many of them are quite effective, although they are not cheap. If this fact does not scare you, then pay attention to such means:
- Crystal chandelier Maytoni Diamant Crystal, 500 ml - the average price is 1300 rubles.
- Glutoclean, 500 ml - 930 rubles.
- Spray HG for chandeliers and fixtures, 500 ml - 540 rubles.
As you can see, cleaning a chandelier is not so difficult. Try different methods: perhaps one of them will suit you more than others.