How To Clean Crystal Chandeliers

A crystal chandelier can be a showstopping addition to your home’s entryway, stairwell, or dining room. The right chandelier draws the eye and makes everything it illuminates look good. But, like every other light fixture in your home, it needs to be cleaned properly to look its very best.

If you’re wondering what’s the best way to clean a crystal chandelier, our Pros are here to help you get it done. Whether you’re a homeowner or renter who wants to DIY the project, wondering whether to hire a pro to do it for you, or someone looking to open your own cleaning business, here’s the scoop on how to get any crystal chandelier looking spectacular.

What Are The Challenges Of Cleaning Crystal Chandeliers?

There are some things about cleaning crystal chandeliers that are challenging even for professionals.

• A single crystal chandelier might be composed of hundreds of individual pieces of crystal, so cleaning can take a while.
• If you’ve got high ceilings or a chandelier that’s illuminating a staircase, it might be difficult to reach or even unsafe to clean in place.
• Depending on where your chandelier’s hanging and other factors, you might need to take it down from its usual spot to clean it.
• Crystal contains lead but that doesn’t mean it can’t be scratched or damaged, so you’ll need to take care during the cleaning process.
• Things like smoke or cooking grease in the air can stain crystal.

These challenges all have solutions, and that’s the good news!

Products And Supplies To Clean Crystal Chandeliers

Here are the cleaning products and supplies you’ll need to properly clean your crystal chandelier.

It doesn’t take much to make your chandelier look beautiful again. Some people prefer to use a glass cleaner, but be sure to choose a product that’s ammonia-free, since ammonia may ruin the non-crystal parts of your chandelier.

Watch the video below to get some important safety tips and general advice about cleaning your crystal chandelier.

How To Clean A Crystal Chandelier Without Taking It Down

One of the questions we hear most often about cleaning crystal chandeliers is whether it’s possible to do the job without taking the chandelier down. It is, although we would say that if you have a chandelier that’s stained or hanging too high to be safely cleaned in place, you should take it down first.

Step 1: Place a waterproof drop cloth on the floor beneath the chandelier to protect your floor.

Step 2: Place a sturdy ladder beneath the chandelier.

Step 3: Climb up to your crystal chandelier, then use the feather duster to remove excess dust and debris.

Step 4: Spray a cleaning solution (either glass cleaner or a homemade solution, which we’ll tell you how to make later), making sure to cover every surface of the crystal.

Step 5: Use a saturated microfiber cloth to clean any recessed areas (such as cups beneath individual lights), since these areas won’t drip to the floor.

Step 6: Reapply solution as needed. You should see dirt and grime dripping from the chandelier as you spray additional solution.

Step 7: Wipe crystals with a clean microfiber cloth. If the cloth snags on the wires, use scissors to free the cloth instead of bending the wire.

Step 8: Work your way around the chandelier. Don’t turn the chandelier to get to new sections, since this may strain the wire or even break it. Instead, climb down and move your ladder.

Step 9: While you’re perched on that ladder, take a few minutes to replace lightbulbs or broken crystals.

If you’re wondering how to clean chandeliers on high ceilings, you might want to pay a professional if you don’t feel secure being up there.

How To Clean A Crystal Chandelier With Vinegar

Vinegar is a versatile household cleaner and can be used to clean anything made of glass or crystal. 

Step 1: Mix together 1 ½ cup of distilled water and 3 Tbsp of white vinegar. Put it into a spray bottle.

Step 2: If you don’t want to take your chandelier down, follow the instructions above. Otherwise, take the chandelier down and spray one section at a time, using a waterproof drop cloth if you’re working on the floor or a wooden surface.

Step 3: An easy alternative to the vinegar solution is a mixture of gentle soap (dish soap is best) and warm water.

Step 4: Wipe each crystal as you clean it.

Step 5: Replace any burnt out bulbs or broken crystals.

Step 6: Rehang the chandelier after it’s been completely cleaned.

How To Clean Crystal Chandelier Stains

Smoke or cooking grease can stain crystal chandeliers. Use these steps to eliminate those stains.

Step 1: Take the chandelier down from where it hangs.

Step 2: Keep in mind that depending on how large your chandelier is, you might need to remove crystals in sections instead of washing the entire thing all at the same time.

Step 3: Heat up some distilled water and add enough dish soap to make the water foamy.

Step 4: Use microfiber cloths to wipe each crystal. Be careful not to use abrasive materials that can scratch the delicate crystals.

Step 5: After the soap has done its job, go over each crystal with a vinegar solution or glass cleaner, since soapy water may leave stains – especially if you have hard water!

Step 6: Repeat until all crystals have been cleaned. Dry them with a clean microfiber cloth and rehang the chandelier.

How to Make A No-Wipe Spray Cleaner For Chandeliers

Making a no-wipe spray cleaner to use on crystal is super easy. The key is using the right ingredients to ensure that no streaks appear as the crystals dry. Here are the ingredients.

• 1 ½ cups distilled water
• 3 tablespoons of white vinegar
• 2 tablespoons of rubbing alcohol

Put the mixture in a clean spray bottle and if you wish, add a drop of food coloring if you’re worried that someone might confuse the contents with water – or, just label the bottle!

How Often Should A Crystal Chandelier Be Cleaned?

Your chandelier will look wonderful if you stick to a regular cleaning schedule. Here are a few signs that your chandelier might be overdue for a cleaning.

• You notice that the light from the chandelier is dimmer than usual.
• The chandelier has a dusty or grimy appearance.
• You can’t remember the last time you cleaned it.

A chandelier that’s in the kitchen or close to it may need cleaning more often since cooking oil and smoke can stain it.

FAQ About Cleaning Crystal Chandeliers

Conclusion

It’s not difficult to get a crystal chandelier looking like it’s brand new when you use these cleaning tips from our Pros. Remember, regular dusting and cleaning will prevent stains from forming and make cleaning a snap!