Anything you install outdoors can be very difficult to clean due to excessive exposure to dirt, dust, and other natural elements that indoor installations are not exposed to. This is why many people find it difficult to clean their outdoor lighting. This carelessness often leads to dirty, damaged, or broken lighting fixtures. Instead of making your outdoor space brighter and more attractive, broken and useless outdoor lights just become eye nuisances that you just want to get rid of.
Installing outdoor lighting isn’t cheap, that’s why you should take care of your outdoor lights by cleaning them regularly. Here are some tips you can use if you are planning to clean your outdoor lighting.
o Unplug the light fixture from the electrical outlet or turn it off. You don’t want to electrocute yourself cleaning exterior lights.
o Prepare a ladder. You may have some very tall exterior lights that you won’t be able to reach without the help of a ladder. However, be careful. Make sure the ladder is secure before you climb it, unless you want to break your neck.
o The light bulb is always enclosed in grills, globes, or other housings. Remove the casing first. You may need screwdrivers to do this. Once you’ve removed the housing, remove the bulb by turning it counterclockwise. If you are on a ladder, go down and proceed to clean the parts.
o You should use warm water with dish soap to wash all parts except the bulb. Soak all parts in the soapy water and set aside.
o Prepare another bucket of soapy water. You will use it to clean up the parts that you were unable to disassemble. Take a sponge and soak it in soapy water and use it to clean the other parts.
o Rinse all – fixed and loose parts with clean water. Wipe them down with a clean, dry cloth or let them test if weather permits.
o To keep your exterior lights looking bright and like new, you can apply wax to metal parts or a special cleaner for glass parts.
o If the bulb still works, clean it with a damp cloth. But if it doesn’t work anymore, just replace it with a new one.
o Finally, put everything back correctly and after a few hours, your outdoor lights will once again illuminate your outdoor space.
