7 Tips And Tricks For Cleaning A Light Fixture That You Can't Reach

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An elegant chandelier or a sleek, modern light fixture in a tall foyer is lovely, but keeping it that way is no easy feat. Cleaning hard-to-reach lighting around your home can be a pain at best and downright dangerous at worst. Dust, cobwebs, and grime paint the whole room in an unflattering light, but what's a homeowner to do when they can't reach the light to clean it? We've compiled seven tips and tricks to clean high-up light fixtures, from utilizing a broom handle to dampening your duster. These might not make cleaning hard-to-reach light fixtures a breeze, but they will make the process safer and easier so your fixtures are once again proud features of your home instead of embarrassing eyesores. 

Prior to getting started, turn off the light and allow the bulb to cool completely. Cleaning electric fixtures often involves using liquids, so always exercise caution. If you are going to use a step stool or ladder, make sure you won't have to overextend to reach the fixture, which can result in accidents and injuries. If you can disassemble the fixture, it'll be much easier to deep clean on the ground and then put back together. If you can't take it apart, there are still ways to reach and clean it.

Before you look up, look down. Dusting and cleaning hard-to-reach light fixtures will almost certainly result in dust floating down to the ground. When you're already struggling to reach, containing dust is no easy task. When it's time to clean up from cleaning your light fixtures, you'll be glad you used a protective cover over your floor and furniture, trust us.

While deep cleaning your hard-to-reach fixtures doesn't have to be a routine chore, dusting them does. The popular Swiffer extendable heavy duty duster is up to the task, and this trusty tool will make dusty light fixtures a thing of the past. The 360-degree adjustable duster can be angled just right to clean where you need it, and the telescoping pole extends 3 feet to reach tall light fixtures. It may not be long enough to reach lights on vaulted ceilings, but it will take care of many household fixtures.

If you have vaulted ceilings with light fixtures, do yourself a favor and invest in an extendable cleaning kit. Amazon has plenty to choose from that are very reasonably priced — ranging from under $15 to around $50. They often have swappable and adjustable cleaning heads as well as telescoping poles that can extend upward of 100 inches to clean any fixture without a ladder. Look for kits that include a cobweb brush to tackle stubborn webs and dust. They are also reusable — a definite plus over disposable dusters.

In a pinch, a broomstick can serve as a makeshift duster extension. Knock off webs with the broom head, and attach a microfiber towel to the end to dust. You could also attach a duster to the broom handle with duct tape if you need a quick solution. It may not be pretty, but it'll help keep your light fixtures beautiful.

When it comes to outdoor fixtures, your household brushes can come to the rescue. Use an extendable deck painting stick and brush to gently remove webs and debris. Attach a household scrubbing brush to a pole extender, or use a telescoping painting pole with foam paint brushes or even rollers to clean hard-to-reach outdoor fixtures. Apply cleaning solutions to the fixtures with the brushes, then simply rinse them off with the garden hose.

For a quick fix, your vacuum wand can suck up dust and webs from your high-up light fixtures. Make it a part of your regular vacuuming routine to give your lights a once-over for easy maintenance. For taller ceilings, consider buying a universal vacuum extension tube, like the Frayot extension tube, to give your wand extra reach. Attach the brush tool to the vacuum wand to gently clean the fabric shades on your light fixtures.

Especially if using a telescoping pole to reach your fixtures, it's hard to give your hard-to-reach lights the cleaning power they desperately need. To help your tools clean off as much dust and grime as possible, spray or dampen your tools with water or a cleaning solution first. Plain old water on a microfiber towel or duster works wonders, and when you want extra cleaning power, easily refresh your grimy light fixtures with Windex for an affordable solution.

The easiest way to ensure a thorough clean on hard-to-reach light fixtures is to change out your dusters or towels throughout the process. At minimum, use a dampened duster or microfiber towel for the initial clean, then go back over the fixture with a fresh, dry duster or towel to buff and shine. If your fixture is extra dirty, you may go through a few dusters or towels to get the job done.