Brass Lamps & Fixtures Routinely, just dust with a soft dry cloth. Occasionally brass lamps and fixtures may need a better cleaning in which case you may use a warm soapy water (mild dish soap, Palmolive etc.) after cleaning remember to dry it off. Never use a window cleaner with ammonia, as all brass finishes are covered with a clear lacquer finish, the ammonia will remove the lacquer and cause the brass to tarnish. Now if your brass is already tarnished, first determine if it is actually solid brass (if a magnet sticks to it, it is brass plated steel) second if it is solid brass you can use a brass cleaner / polish, followed immediately with a coating of clear lacquer spray paint. If it is brass plated steel it is rust and not tarnish you can clean it up with steel wool and then decide either to have it re-plated or to paint it a new color.
The instructions below are Green Art Plumbing Supply suggestions. It is highly recommended
that you follow your manufacturer’s recommendations to ensure proper cleaning of
your product.
Glassware The glassware is part of the fixture and can not be removed the best method to clean it would be to polish it with a soft dry cloth. If a better cleaning is required a soft cloth with a warm soapy water (mild dish soap, Palmolive etc., never use anything that might harm the fixture around the glass) can be used on small sections at a time which can be quickly dried by hand so that it wont air dry. Air dried glass forms a film which is harder to clean than the original dust was. If the glassware can be removed they can be washed in the sink with warm soapy water and then hand dried
Alabaster is a pourous stone, don't soak it, and don't use any detergent, as these would ruin it. You may use a dry or slightly damp soft cloth to wipe the fixture.
Crystal Chandeliers Do Not Use Ammonia, ammonia will deteriorate the lacquer finish on all metal surfaces, including the connector pins between crystal beads. Before attempting any cleaning turn off the power to the chandelier so you don't burn yourself on hot light bulbs, or the light bulbs don't burst when they get wet, and leave off until dry in case any cleaner has got into the electrical connections. There are three different ways to clean crystal chandeliers, they are:
The Traditional Method - wash in lukewarm sudsy water (mild dish soap, Palmolive etc.), rinse in clean water, and dry with a soft clean cloth.
The Quick Method - the chemical industry has produced a crystal cleaning spray, further to their instructions of "spray and drip-dry" there is a few more instructions you should know; cup shaped pieces need to be blotted dry as they act like cups, larger prisms may still have to be dried with a soft cloth, and remember to put out a drop cloth to catch the drips. This method is ideal for real small beads and "Maria Theresa" style chandelier arms both of which are hard to do any other way. Note some sprays may leave the crystal sticky requiring more frequent cleanings.
The Best Method - use a pair of dry cotton gloves (a soft dry linen cloth may also be used) and rub each crystal pendant between your fingers until it shines. If this takes to much rubbing try a light misting of crystal cleaning spray on your gloves.
We have been in the plumbing supply business for over 60 years. We carry just about every brand in the industry. If you don't see it online, email us or give us a call at 516-223-3660 and we'll help you on the phone or via email. We are open 7 day a week our schedule is as follows: 7am-5pm Monday - Friday, Sat 7am-4pm, Sun 10am-3pm. Thanks for choosing Green Art Plumbing Supply.
