Cleaning House Lights
Smart Solutions : Episode SSL-1006 -- More Projects »
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A lamb's-wool duster will attract dirt and won't leave a residue on a lampshade the way a rag might.
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Consider replacing plain bulbs with faceted bulbs, which bend the light and add sparkle and shine to any room in the house.
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A parabolic light bulb with crosshatching is the best choice in rooms with ceilings inches or higher.
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Regular cleaning and dusting go a long way toward brightening our living spaces. Interior designer Deborah Burnett shares tips for effective ways to clean light fixtures, lampshades and bulbs.
- Dirty light bulbs can account for a 20 percent loss of light.
- To clean lampshades made of paper, fabric or fine silks, use a lamb's-wool duster instead of a rag. For deeply embellished shades, use the brush attachment of your vacuum cleaner.
Clean glass shades by dipping them in a plastic tub filled with soapy water. Rinse thoroughly and drain on puppy training pads, which are plastic on one side and absorbent material on the other. - While you are at it, don't forget to clean off the bulbs themselves, which can become quite dusty. Simply wipe them off with a soft cloth.
- Clean fluorescent tubes by wiping them thoroughly with a clean, damp cloth. To add warmth to a room that has lots of wood cabinets (like the kitchen), consider replacing fluorescent bulbs with bulbs that have a warmth rating of 3500K. Look for the rating on the left end of the light tube. It will be clearly marked.
- Clean recessed can lights with a damp cloth. For ceilings 8 inches or less, use a reflector bulb. For ceilings 9 inches and higher, use a parabolic floodlight. Pay attention to the lumens, rather than wattage. Look for lumens of at least 1000 for the best light.
To clean a glass chandelier, you will need goggles, a lamb’s-wool duster, a spray bottle of 50/50 solution of water and vinegar and an umbrella. Dust first. Then hang the umbrella under the chandelier, hooking the handle over an arm of the light fixture (see photo at right). Spray the crystals with the vinegar solution until they drip. The umbrella will catch all the dirty water.Entryways often have harsh and unflattering lighting. Instead of using a standard bulb, look for a pink or peach bulb, or try an amber faceted bulb for a warm light.
Guests Deborah Burnett
ASID Registered Interior Designer/Licensed Building Contractor, Design Services, Inc.
E-mail:
deborah@deborahburnett.com
Website:
www.deborahburnett.com
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