Friday, October 28, 2011

Clean Outdoor Lights

Outdoor light fixture


It is easy to forget to clean outdoor light fixtures. They are often taken for granted, both for their decorative addition to a setting and for the welcome (and safe) light they cast. Improve both qualities by cleaning your outdoor light fixtures at least twice a year. It's not difficult to do and doesn't require special equipment. It does, however, require some time and careful attention to avoid getting water into electrical sockets. To avoid the hazardous effects of that misstep, switch off the circuit that powers the fixtures while cleaning them (and for a short time afterward) to ensure everything is dry. Does this Spark an idea?


Instructions


Clean Outdoor Lights


1. Make sure the light switch is turned off.


2. If needed, secure a ladder near light fixtures you cannot reach from the ground.


3. Remove any globes, shields or grills with an appropriate tool (most likely a screwdriver); then unscrew and remove the light bulbs (or fluorescent tubes). Set all parts aside.


4. Fill two large buckets with hot water and add dish soap. Agitate the water to create suds.


5. Place removed items (not the light bulbs) in one bucket.


6. Saturate a rag or sponge with sudsy water from the second bucket, and use that to wipe down the parts of the light fixture that you could not remove. Keep water from running into open sockets.


7. Rinse the fixed pieces with water; remove the loosened pieces from their bucket, wipe them down and rinse them as well.


8. When all pieces are dry, apply polish or wax to metal parts if desired; use glass cleaner to clean glass globes or shades.


9. Wipe off light bulbs or tubes with a damp rag (or replace them if burned out), being careful not to get the end that screws into the socket wet; then reassemble the light fixtures.







Tags: light fixtures, light bulbs, Clean Outdoor, Clean Outdoor Lights, light fixture