How to clean crystal chandelier with vinegar

Crystal chandeliers are chandeliers made from several kinds of crystals. This interior ornament is designed specially to make the inner part of a building look extremely beautiful and glamorous. However, this decorative masterpiece is vulnerable to cloudiness and if left uncleaned for a long time, it could cause great blemish to the splendiferous representation it signifies.

Cleaning a crystal chandelier is difficult, and that is why most people prefer to have it professionally cleaned. Here, I shall be providing useful tips on “how to clean crystal chandelier with vinegar” and some other less expensive effective cleaners. Read on for details about the cheapest ways to get your crystal chandelier cleaned.

How to clean crystal chandelier with vinegar

What are crystal chandeliers made of

Every noticeable of a crystal chandelier, wall lamp, standard lamp, and table lamp, except some lights are made essentially from banished brass. The brass is then coated with a tough lacquer rating, heated at 150°c or more.

The glass components of a crystal chandelier, table lamp, wall lamp, and standard lamp are made from baric or lead crystals. These parts are then put through the further process by grinding or fine burnishing or presswork.

Why does my crystal chandelier look dull

If your crystal chandelier looks dull, it is likely caused by cloudiness or probably because air has accumulated inside your chandelier.

The major reason why your chandelier looks cloudy is that dried calcium is stored in the crystals during makeup. Also, crystals absorb energy (although not all crystals) however, they can only absorb energy to a certain level. Therefore, when they absorb too much energy beyond their limit, they become cloudy and that is when they start to look dull.

Apart from cloudiness, crystal chandeliers can also serve as a deposit for dirt, as well as every other material present in the air within your house. If this is left unchecked, the dust and dirt will begin to pile up; and when this continues for a long time, you will start noticing undesirable dust layers forming inside the crystals of your chandelier. And the funny thing is, it doesn’t matter whether you have a clean house or not, there will always be dust gatherings in some areas or corners in your room that can cause your chandeliers to look dull and old.

What is the best way to clean my crystal chandelier

If your intention is too deep to clean your crystal chandelier, you will have to take down the chandelier and remove the crystal prisms. This will make it easier for you to be able to clean every hard-to-reach area within your crystal chandelier. To deep clean your crystal chandelier, follow the simple steps below.

  1. Make a solution from the mixtures of lukewarm water and liquid dishwashing soap.
  2. Carefully detach each crystal from the chandelier and hand-wash the pieces with the solution one after the other.
  3. Dry each immediately after washing with a lint-free cloth to avoid spotting.

Warning: Many crystal chandeliers are arranged in complicated patterns, so to avoid confusion when trying to reassemble after wash, write notes or draw or take pictures of the pattern before you disassemble them. Also, this method takes time and if you are the busy or lazy type, you should look for another alternative (check next section for alternative methods).

What are some alternative methods to clean crystal chandeliers

Crystal chandeliers get dirty easily, and because they are always shining when they are clean, it is usually not difficult to tell if it is dirty; it becomes dull. However, the most exciting part about cleaning a crystal chandelier is that there are lots of cleaning options available for whoever wants to do the cleaning.

Some of the cleaners that can be used to clean crystal chandeliers include Isopropyl alcohol, Ammonia, Windex, liquid dishwashing soap (explained earlier), and elbow grease. In the later sections of this article, I shall discuss how best each of these cleaners can be used to keep your crystal chandelier glittering.

Can you clean the crystal chandelier with vinegar

Yes, you can clean crystal chandeliers with vinegar. One of the reasons that vinegar is one of the top choices among homeowners is that it can effectively clean your crystal chandelier without affecting it in any way. Plus it is easily accessible as you can make it from the comfort of your house.

Does vinegar damage the crystal chandelier

No, vinegar will not cause any damage to your crystal chandelier. The glass used in making crystals are tough and therefore, can withstand the toxicity of vinegar. However, to be on the safer side, you can opt for Apple cider vinegar because it has a pH of 2-3 and is considered to be mildly acidic.

Types of crystal chandeliers that can be cleaned with vinegar

We have different types of crystal chandeliers, some of them which include; Gem cut crystal chandeliers, strass crystal chandeliers, Morrocan crystal chandeliers, spectra crystal chandeliers, and wood polish crystals. All of the above-named types can be cleaned with vinegar except if any is accompanied with an instruction from the factory not to use a particular save a factory or professionally recommended cleaners.

How do you clean a chandelier with vinegar (without bringing it down)

After haven discussed all you need to know about the relationship between vinegar and crystal chandelier, I believe it is high time I explained to you, how best to use vinegar to clean a crystal chandelier. Check the list below for details about the processes involved in vinegar usage.

Pre-cleaning stage:

  1. Turn off the circuit breaker in the room where you intend to work. Or you can just turn off the light directly from the switch and cover up the switch with a tape big enough as a precautionary measure.
  2. Devise a method that can make it easy for you to remember the complicated patterns in which the crystals are arranged.

Items required

  • Cloth gloves
  • 2 lint-free cloth
  • Vinegar
  • Warm water
  • Spray bottle
  • Ladder
  • Blanket

Cleaning process:

  1. Get rid of excess dust by cleaning with a duster or dry cloth or towel. This will greatly reduce the number of times you will have to remix the solution.
  2. Lay out a blanket on your workspace to help absorb the impact of a piece in case it accidentally drops while cleaning. Hopefully, it works though.
  3. Make a solution from the mixtures of vinegar and warm water respectively in the ratio of 1 to 3.
  4. Pour the solution in a spray bottle and spray generously on a lint-free cloth.
  5. Carefully rub the spindles and handles of your crystal chandeliers with the moistened lint-free cloth.
  6. Buff dry every treated component with another lint-free cloth.

How to clean a chandelier with vinegar (by bringing it down)

If your chandelier has been brought down for cleaning, follow the next steps for ways to clean and general maintenance.

Bonus: You can put on hand gloves for this part to avoid spotting.

  1. Fetch a needle nose plier and make necessary adjustments to the crystals (especially the connection part).
  2. Dampen a soft textured cloth in a new solution (or the last one if it remains) and clean the crystal prism with it.
  3. Buff dry with a new dry cloth or towel.
  4. Gently hang back the chandeliers according to the pattern then switch it on and enjoy the beauty of your work.

How to clean crystal chandeliers with alcohol

Follow the steps below for information on how to clean your crystal chandeliers with Isopropyl alcohol.

  1. Make a solution from the mixtures of one part of Isopropyl alcohol and distilled water.
  2. Pour the solution in a spray bottle and spray moderately on a cotton glove or microfiber cloth.
  3. Wipe the crystals with the moisturized cloth and dry immediately afterward with a new clean microfiber cloth.

How to clean crystal chandelier with ammonia

The steps below will guide you through the processes involved in using ammonia to clean a crystal chandelier.

  1. Make a solution from the mixtures of 1 part of ammonia and 3 parts of distilled water.
  2. Pour the solution into a spray bottle and spray on a microfiber cloth.
  3. Gently rub the crystals with the dampened cloth and dry them afterward with another clean dry cloth.

Warning!!!

Ammonia should be used majorly as an alternative cleaner and not to be used as the main cleaner and not recommended to be used frequently. This is because ammonia-based cleaners can wear off the gold or silver coated metal hook that binds the crystal elements together.

How to clean crystal chandeliers with Windex

The one advantage index has over every other alternative is that you don’t distill water or detergent before application. Follow the steps below for instructions on how to use Windex.

  1. Spray Windex generously on a microfiber cloth.
  2. Gently wipe the crystals with the microfiber cloth and dry them afterward with a new clean dry microfiber cloth.

References

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