How To Clean A Chandelier On A High Ceiling

There is no doubt that you have worked hard to nurture and develop the life of your wildest dreams. The gorgeous chandelier mounted at the peak of your vaulted foyer or displayed over your dining room table serves as a constant reminder of this and is one of the primary focal points in your home in which you take pride. It dazzles the eyes and shoots sparkling reflections of light in every direction, keeping you ever motivated to stay vigilant and ambitious. However, no matter how breath-taking it may be, routine maintenance and cleaning are required to keep it in its optimal shining state. You suddenly realize that you need to educate yourself on how to clean a chandelier on a high ceiling. For this purpose, we have amassed a sweeping compilation of everything you need to know to maintain your chandelier’s brilliance.

Table of Contents

Can You Clean A Chandelier Without Taking It Down?

The short answer is yes; you can clean a chandelier on a high ceiling without going through the arduous process of taking them down. Typically, you can expect to get a solid surface cleaning completed in this scenario. First, cut the power to the chandelier and use a duster to remove all the build-up. Afterward, use a spray bottle filled with water and a tiny amount of dish soap. Spray down the chandelier and wipe it clean with a microfiber towel. It is suggested that you do this approximately every three months to avoid reaching the point where a much bigger cleaning job is required.

(Pro Tip: Since you are up there already, it may be wise to take the opportunity to change out the lightbulbs on the chandelier to avoid another trip up the ladder between cleanings.)

How To Remove A Chandelier From A High Ceiling

So, your hectic life and busy schedule left no feasible time for you to perform your routine chandelier maintenance. In this case, it would be relatively ineffective attempting to clean a chandelier on a high ceiling. You need to take down the chandelier for its cleaning this time around, but how can you safely remove a chandelier from a high ceiling? Follow these few simple steps, and always keep safety at the forefront of your mind. If you feel the job is too risky, uncomfortable, or intimidating, hire a professional to get it done safely.

Step 1: Disconnect the power source from your residence’s electrical panel.
Step 2: Grab your best high ceiling ladder and safely remove the screw from the bottom of the chandelier. Sometimes the screw is unobstructed, while other times, it is concealed by a decorative piece.
Step 3: Lower the protective plate, also known as the escutcheon, and remove the screws that secure it to the junction box. If the chandelier is heavy, have another person secure the chandelier while you remove the mounting screws.
Step 4: Use a voltage or circuit tester to ensure the power is definitely disconnected.
Step 5: Twist off the wire nuts by turning them counterclockwise until the wires are released. Unscrew the grounding wire (the grounding wire will likely either be shielded in a green casing or present as a bare copper wire).
Step 6: Lower the chandelier and set it in a safe location where you can begin your cleaning process.

How To Clean Different Types Of Chandeliers

Glass and Ceramic Chandeliers

Cleaning chandeliers on high ceilings made of glass or ceramic are perhaps the easiest types of materials you will encounter. Typically, you will be able to clean these types of chandeliers with just a damp towel or rag. If, for some reason, the chandelier has some tougher smudges to remove, try a diluted cleaning solution that is safe for glass or ceramic. Due to possible issues of water spots developing, ensure that these materials are completely free of moisture when finished cleaning.

Crystal Chandeliers

Perhaps the most elegant and eye-catching of all chandelier styles are the ever-sparkling and dazzling crystal variations. These beauties showcase the pride you hold for your home as they majestically dangle atop your vaulted foyer or above the dining room table where you share meals with loved ones. Performing regular cleanings and maintenance is essential if you aim to keep your crystals in their optimal glistening state. To clean a chandelier on a high ceiling made of crystal, follow these user-tested tips:

How Do You Remove Cloudiness From Crystals?

Do not fret if you run into a situation where your crystals have developed some cloudiness. There are a couple of relatively simple methods you can employ to remove the cloudiness from your crystal. The first method you can try is to soak the crystal in a mixture containing one gallon of water and one cup of vinegar. The other way is to carefully hand wash the crystals in warm water utilizing a mild dish soap. However, do not use rough or abrasive scrub brushes during hand-washing efforts.

What Is The Best Way To Clean Crystals?

There have been a bunch of different cleaning formulas mentioned here, and all of them prove effective in attaining that sparkle you seek. However, the best way to clean your crystals is to use saltwater and a clean towel. You can use a fresh batch from the ocean if you have access or mix up your own batch. Mix a tablespoon of either sea salt or table salt in a bowl of water and soak your crystals fully submerged for as little as a few hours or up to a few days. Rinse them with fresh water and dry them with a clean towel.

How Often Should You Clean A Crystal Chandelier?

You should plan to conduct a thorough surface cleaning on your crystal chandelier approximately every two to three months to keep it in an optimal performance state. This will also help avoid the need for a much more daunting and involved cleaning.

Metallic and Antique Chandeliers

Unlike glass or ceramic, metallic chandeliers are perhaps the most difficult to clean. It is easy to accidentally remove the polish from the frame of these types of chandeliers by using harsh cleaning solutions or simply scrubbing too hard. When cleaning antiques or metal chandeliers, make sure that you are using a formula specifically designed for such materials. These solutions can remove stains and dirt build-up without compromising the integrity of the polish.

Cloth and Paper Chandeliers

Cloth and paper chandeliers tend to be the best at collecting dust, dirt, and debris, which is ironic because other than wood, they are the only type you cannot clean using the typical methods. For these materials, you can only use compressed air rather than damp towels, spray bottles, or other variations of wet cleaning solutions.

Wooden Chandeliers

Like cloth or paper, wooden chandeliers should only be cleaned using a duster or compressed air. Since there is such variation in the types of wood, finishes, and styles, using anything else can potentially degrade the surface. Fortunately, wood naturally stays exceptionally clean and typically does not develop or preserve stains. If you do find a smudge, gently wiping it down with a microfiber towel should do the trick.

Acrylic and Plastic Chandeliers

Simply wipe them down with a damp towel to clean plastic or acrylic-style chandeliers. There is not much more to it than that for these. However, as with ceramic or glass, these materials can be prone to developing water spots, so ensure that your surfaces are completely dried off and free of moisture before moving on to your next task for the day.

Can You Use Windex To Clean A Chandelier?

Yes. If your chandelier is crystal or glass, you can safely use Windex to clean the chandelier. Simply spray the various surfaces and wipe them down with a clean towel or rag.

How Do You Clean A Chandelier With Vinegar?

If you are looking for a more natural formula to clean a chandelier on a high ceiling, consider using a mixture of vinegar and water. The optimal formula is mixing your spray bottle with one part vinegar to three parts warm water. Spray down the chandelier and wipe it down with a clean towel or rag.

What To Avoid When Cleaning Chandeliers

As with anything in life, there are a few things to avoid or at least be aware of when you begin cleaning your chandelier.

Do not use ammonia-based cleaners. These types of solutions can remove finishes, polishes, etc.
Try not to rotate the chandelier when cleaning it. Although it may be faster and easier than constantly repositioning your ladder, rotation to the chandelier may loosen its support infrastructure, subsequently creating a situation where it could come crashing down.
Except for completely glass material, you should not try to shortcut your cleaning process by placing items in the dishwasher. However, if the item is made entirely of glass, you have discovered a scrub-free and almost effortless way to clean your various chandelier parts.

If you’ve followed the advice above, you should have no issue learning how to clean a chandelier on a high ceiling. Good luck and be careful!