How do I clean crystal chandeliers?

Crystal does mean cleaning, but it doesn’t have to be too taxing if you follow these few simple guidelines to keep crystal looking its best.

If you do not wish to remove the crystal components from the piece, crystal chandelier manufacturer Schonbek recommends you spray with a solution of one part isopropyl alcohol to three parts distilled water and wipe off the solution with cotton gloves. Waterford’s chief lighting designer Billy Canning says hot, soapy water will do the trick. Both manufacturers agree that special cleaning formulas aren’t necessary.
Schonbek also cautions that, “A real no-no in the area of cleaning chandeliers…is if the chandelier is finished with a traditional polished gold finish or polished silver but it’s not stainless steel people will use these sprays that you can buy. Basically, what the manufacturers say is to spray the chandelier and let the stuff drip off and that cleans the crystal. But in fact what it does is ruin the frames of the chandelier.”

If more aggressive cleaning is needed, the crystal parts will need to be removed from the frame. The crystals can then be hand washed in soapy water, rinsed clean and dried with a cloth.

For dusting between cleanings, Schonbek recommends using a feather duster, lambswool duster or a make-up brush.

How often should I clean my crystal chandelier?

According to Waterford’s Billy Canning, crystal should be cleaned every two to six months. The frequency of cleaning depends on where it is used and how easy it is to get to the piece. Extremely large pieces like 20-foot chandeliers can get away with being cleaned only once a year. Chandeliers used in kitchens will need more detailed cleaning due to oil and grease buildup, as well as dust sticking to the components due to moisture from sinks and stoves.

“The beauty of crystal, of course, is the prismatic refraction of the light passing through the crystal ornament,” says Eileen Schonbek Beer of Schonbek Worldwide Lighting. “So the minute it’s got any kind of residue of dust or even moisture—like in moist climates in Florida—the humidity will cause dust to adhere to the crystal and the salt in the air will kind of make it cloudy. So you actually have to clean crystal pretty regularly.”

How do I select the correct size chandelier?

A chandelier can greatly change the mood of any room. It is for this reason that selecting the correct size chandelier for your room is very important. Although the decision can be based on purely a personal opinion, there are some guidelines to help you along.

One-story living rooms and bedrooms

• Add the room dimensions in feet and refer to them as inches. For example, if the room is 20 by 20 feet, then add those numbers together to get 40. You should select a chandelier with a minimum 40 inch diameter.
• If your ceiling is high then you can add up to six inches or you can go even bigger if the ceiling is very high.
• If your space is narrow, then do not use this formula. Instead, you should consider two or more smaller chandeliers.

Dining Rooms

• For an 8-foot ceiling, install the chandelier 30 inches above the table and about 34 inches for taller ceilings.
• Choose a chandelier that has a diameter one-half the width of the table over which it will hang. For example, if the width of your table is 54”, select a chandelier that has a diameter of 27”.
• For a banquet-style table in an elongated or oversized dining room, two or more chandeliers will work better than one. If you select chandeliers that are one-third the width of the table and hang them centered on each end of the table that would be correct.
• The height of a chandelier should be about 3 inches per foot of the room’s height. Therefore, an 8-foot ceiling would have a 24 inch high chandelier.
• Dining Room chandeliers should always have a dimmer switch so you can set the mood or use the room for other activities.
• Keep in mind that the style and heaviness of the light fixture can also affect what size you need to go with. A visually heavy chandelier can go more towards a smaller diameter. A visually light chandelier can be a little wider in diameter.
• The chandelier should provide light for the table, but not be so low as to block anyone’s line of vision when they are sitting at the table.

Foyer or Entry Hall

• The size for an entrance fixture is calculated from the room size of the foyer. It is based off the ceiling size, as in many cases, the foyer is also part of the living room or stairway.
• The chandelier should be at least 7 feet from the floor. If you would like to hang the chandelier high, then line up the bottom tier of candles with the balcony. If you have a tall ceiling you should follow a rule of thumb of at least 7’6” from the bottom of the light fixture.
• Add the width and the length of the room together in feet and convert that figure to inches to come up with the correct width of the chandelier.
• The height of a fixture should be about 3 inches per foot of the room’s height.

Personally, I prefer to go a bit larger in a more open area than the above recommended calculations.

What’s the proper height to install wall sconces?

Sconces should be installed 60” from the floor. If you decide to use sconces to light hallways, then the sconces should be placed 8’-10’ apart.

How can I properly light my kitchen?

For optimal kitchen lighting, choose a fluorescent kitchen fixture or other close-to-the-ceiling fixture for general lighting. Add a flush mount fixture or recessed downlight above the sink and pendants above your dinette, island or breakfast bar. Kitchen cabinet lighting can be installed under your kitchen cabinets to create a well lit work area, above cabinets for a soft uplighting effect, or inside a glass front cabinet to highlight decorative accents or fine china.

How much light is needed in a kitchen?

It depends on the size. If it’s less than 100 square feet, a 2-light decorative fluorescent fixture is fine. Larger kitchens up to 250 feet will need a 4-light fluorescent fixture. Over 250 square feet will need the 4-light plus additional supplemental lighting.

How can I get optimal lighting in my bathroom?

For optimal bathroom lighting, bathroom fixtures that feature incandescent bulbs behind diffusers radiate the most flattering light and color. Remember that you can use more that bath strips for your next bathroom lighting project. Try sconces on either side of a mirror and a ceiling fixture for balanced lighting throughout the room. Larger baths are very popular today, and a small chandelier over the bath can create a great effect.

When should I use a dimmer switch?

A dimmer switch can be used with “bright fixtures,” such as chandeliers, pendants and even bath lights, to adjust the amount of light given depending on the activity of the room. To use the dimmer switch effectively, use brighter lighting for parties or dim the lights for a quieter, more intimate setting.

Do dimmers provide energy and cost savings?

Yes. Dimming does provide energy savings and related cost savings. An incandescent lamp dimmed 25%, extends lamp life by 4 times and saves 20% on electricity.

How do I determine the correct amount of wattage to properly illuminate a 12’ x 16’ room?

To find proper ambient lighting for a room, multiply the room dimensions to get your total square footage (12’ x 16’ = 192’). Then multiply the square footage by 1.5 for total illumination needed (192’ x 1.5 = 288 watts). So, for a 12’ x 16’ room, two 150-watt table or floor lamps would give more than ample light (2 x 150 watts = 300 watts). Another consideration would be an 8-light chandelier with 40-watt bulbs (8x 40 watts = 320 watts). For specific task lighting within a space (for example, the light needed on a kitchen work island), multiply the square footage of the island (8’ x 4’ = 32’) times 2.5. Two 40-watt pendants would do the job (32’ x 2.5 = 80 watts).

What are some basic strategies to lighting design?

Lighting plays an essential role in our ability to perceive the world around us; the lighting system plays a critical role I how we perceive a space and can influence how we act in that space. Lighting can affect performance, mood, morale, safety, security and decisions. The first step in producing the right lighting design is ask what the space is used for.

What is the lifetime and efficiency of a halogen light bulb?

A halogen bulb is often 10 to 20% more efficient than an ordinary incandescent light bulb of similar voltage, wattage and life expectancy. Halogen bulbs may also have 2 to 3 times the life of ordinary light bulbs.

Why is alabaster expensive?

Compared to other stones like marble and granite, white translucent alabaster is relatively limited in supply. It is also difficult and costly to quarry. Most alabaster is quarried from alluvial deposits in Spain, where alabaster is found in rocks surrounded by other minerals. Because alabaster in its natural state deteriorates when exposed to extreme temperatures and weather conditions, heavy earth moving and digging equipment must be used to source deeper reserves. What happens to alabaster when it is worked also adds to its cost. Up to 75 percent of rock, which is bought by weight, is trimmed in the process of creating solid cylinders from the heart of the stone. Once the “corazon”, or heart, of the stone is revealed, some stones are so heavily veined as to be unusable for all but the smallest objects.

If alabaster is sensitive to heat, how can it be used in lighting?

Alabaster’s warm coloration and veining gives lighting a beautiful, soft glow. Careful design and engineering creates even light, prevents shadow, and lessens heat build-up in alabaster fixtures. It’s important to make sure that the bulb light source is as far away from the alabaster as possible. Don’t confuse natural veining with heat discoloration. Heat-affected areas turn opaque and chalky white as water evaporates from the inside out. An irregular, dark line on the outside with no chalky area on the inside tells you it’s just a vein. Remember too that the discoloration will take the shape of the bulb.

Is it possible to guarantee that the alabaster will match in a family of fixtures?

No. The variation in veining and color that occur naturally between rocks enhances alabaster’s charm. Many individual rocks will produce only one large piece, making it one-of-a-kind in terms of the alabaster’s charm.

How can I clean my alabaster fixture?

Gently wipe the alabaster clean with a soft cloth that’s damp, not wet. Do not use commercial cleaners. Alabaster scratches easily, so abrasives also should be avoided. If you handle your fixture with care, its natural beauty will provide years of enjoyment

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