How To Clean Your Outdoor Lighting Fixtures

Outdoor lighting units can add the perfect touch of elegance to your home’s exterior. However, they also collect dirt and grim over time, so keeping them clean is crucial.

Regular maintenance is crucial for the longevity of your outdoor lighting fixtures. Neglecting their upkeep can lead to various issues, including the risk of lightbulbs exploding. Therefore, cleaning and maintaining your lights regularly is essential to ensure their longevity and safe operation.

This article will explore the importance of cleaning your outdoor lighting fixtures, providing you with a comprehensive step-by-step guide on how to clean and maintain your exterior light units. By following these instructions, you can significantly improve the lighting at your home and enhance its overall appearance.

Why Clean Your Outdoor Lighting Fixtures?

1. Improving Visibility

Maintaining clean lighting units is essential to create the perfect outdoor lighting. Accumulated dust, dirt, and grime can compromise the illumination, resulting in decreased visibility around your property. You can ensure optimal visibility and create an inviting outdoor ambiance by routinely cleaning your lighting units.

2. Increasing Safety

The main purpose of installing outdoor light fixtures is to increase safety. Dark places are easier for intruders to break in; hence, it is important to clean outdoor light fixtures.

After all, if your light fixtures do not provide enough brightness due to dirt accumulation, you might risk the security of your home.

3. Enhancing The Appearance Of Your Home

Outdoor light fixtures can help you elevate the look of your exteriors. However, simply installing a light fixture to match the aesthetic of your home is not enough for this - you need to clean them, too, to shine brighter. Also, dirty lights are not so appealing to look at!‌

Guide To Cleaning Your Outdoor Lighting Fixtures

Step-By-Step Guide On How To Clean Outdoor Light Fixtures

Step 1

Turn off the power supply to your bulbs before you begin cleaning outdoor lighting fixtures. You should switch off the circuit breaker and then remove the light bulb.

Step 2

Use a soft cloth or a brush with soft bristles to wipe every light bulb one by one to remove any accumulated debris. You can use a toothbrush to clean the areas that are hard to reach.

Step 3

Add a decent amount of warm water to a bucket and a few drops of dish soap. Dip a soft cloth in the semi-hot water solution, soak it, and then use it to wipe the copper fixture gently.

Step 4

After wiping your copper light cover using warm water and a cleansing agent, wipe it using a clean cloth to remove any soapy water residue. And use a professional glass cleaner to clean the glass scones and shades.

Step 5

Once your garden lights are completely dry, screw them back and turn the power supply on.

Tips On Cleaning Different Types Of Light Fixtures

• Using a cleaner designed specifically for metal-based units, such as copper fixtures, is best.
• It would help if you used a gentle glass cleaner when cleaning glass fixtures and did not apply excessive pressure while wiping.
• Use a vegetable-based soap if you want a gentle cleanser.
• Ensure that your decorative globes get regular cleaning to avoid the stubborn accumulation of dirt and bug debris on their glass panes.

Safety Precautions To Take While Cleaning Light Fixtures

• Whenever you clean glass globes at a certain height, use a sturdy ladder and have someone assist you.
• Wear safety gloves to protect your hands from the harmful chemicals of a glass cleaner.
• Avoid harmful chemicals as much as possible while choosing a cleansing agent; you can also go for natural options like baking soda.
• Turn off the power supply to avoid short circuits in the electrical sockets.

How Often Should You Clean Outdoor Fixtures Of Light?

It is crucial to clean the bulbs on time to avoid excessive accumulation of debris on their surface. If left uncleaned for long, they can have stubborn build-up, which can only be removed using special equipment.

The frequency at which you should clean your outside lights depends on several factors, such as where they are installed. Typically, decorative additions should be cleaned at least twice a year. However, if your bulbs are located at places prone to excessive dirt and dust, you should clean them more often.

Shining Bright: Tips & Tricks for Cleaning Your Outdoor Lighting Fixtures

Upgrade to LEDs for brighter and more energy-efficient outdoor lighting. Exterior lighting fixtures, including LED options, require minimal maintenance, making them a popular choice for homeowners who want to enhance the look of their property. However, regular cleaning is still necessary to ensure their effective performance and longevity.

You must first remove the bulb from its fixture to clean such lights. Next, dip a clean cloth (preferably a microfiber cloth) in soapy water, and then use this damp cloth to clean the fixture carefully.

Then, rinse the outdoor lights with hot water (not too hot!) and allow them to dry. Screw the light back on and turn on the light switch.

The professionals at Bright Force Electrical provide unbeatable services when it comes to cleaning your exterior light bulbs. Call us today, and let a professional do the job!

Want some more great tips? Check out our blog on how to clean your power outlets and switches to keep your electrical system clean and functional.

FAQs

1. What supplies do I need to clean outdoor lighting fixtures?

You will need a sturdy ladder, a soft cloth, one bucket, cleansing agents (metal or glass cleaners), water, and a hose. It is advised that you also use safety items, such as gloves and safety glasses, to avoid direct contact with the harmful chemicals of the cleaners or debris.

2. Can I clean outdoor lighting fixtures or hire a professional?

If you are confident removing and cleaning the light bulb, you should do it yourself. However, it is best to contact a professional if the bulbs are in out-of-reach areas or if you are hesitant to do any particular step.

Also, calling a professional to help clean damaged lights is essential. Cleaning such bulbs might require extra precision and expertise, which you may not necessarily have.