Brass pendant lights are among the most popular on the market. However, proper maintenance is necessary to maintain their timeless aesthetics. You must clean them regularly and properly. Since brass is a specific metal material, some requirements must be considered.
Discover how to properly clean and care for your brass pendant light. In this article, we’ll present the proper methods to achieve it, the do’s and don’ts—and every useful advice. Utilize this to maintain your pendant light's excellent state for an extended period.
Why Is It Important to Clean Your Brass Light Fixtures?
Any area may be made more elegant with the addition of brass. But over time, the brass material could corrode, become discolored, and become dull. This will destroy the pendant light's quality and condition, as well as its appearance. If you want to be sure you can use it for many years to come, you must maintain and clean it.
3 Different Types of Brass Pendant Lights
Brass pendant lights come in different types, including:
Lacquered Brass
The clear lacquer coating on this brass keeps the material's polish intact. It might have an antique, brushed, or polished finish. Maintenance is crucial since the lacquer on this type of brass might deteriorate depending on how much use it experiences.
Waxed Brass
This is wax-coated, unpolished brass. The brass is coated with a thin layer of hydrophobic wax to stop it from oxidizing. But the wax will eventually wear off and degrade like any coating. This means you must routinely clean and reapply the wax.
Raw Brass
This is uncoated brass, deliberately maintained unsealed to enable natural oxidation. This will then give the brass a distinct patina over time. But because this is raw brass, there’s a different cleaning and maintenance approach to follow.
How to Clean and Maintain a Brass Pendant Light
Like with any light fixture, there’s a proper cleaning procedure for brass pendant lights. To properly clean your pendant light, follow these steps and tips:
Use the Right Cleaning Materials
Cleaning light fixtures generally takes some time, so being prepared will help a lot. So, gather and prepare all the cleaning materials you will need. To prevent breaking your pendant lamp, make sure you're using the correct tools at the same time.
In general, you will need the following:
- Ladder
- Warm water
- Soft, lint-free cloths
- Microfiber cloths
- Spray bottle
- Gloves (optional)
- Screwdriver (optional)
- Toothbrush (optional)
- Coating/Wax/Non-Abrasive Polish
- Brass-safe solution/cleaner
Brass-Safe Solution/Cleaner
Since a brass pendant light can be coated, raw, or waxed, the solution you need to use may vary. You have two main options, depending on the type of brass you have:
Soapy Water: For most brass fixtures, especially those that are lacquered or waxed, this is the safest option because it will be kind to the coating.
Lemon and Baking Soda: Since raw brass is relatively acidic and abrasive, tarnish can be removed with a mixture of lemon juice and baking soda. It goes without saying that you should use soapy water to avoid damaging the patina.
Be Smart About Your Safety
Pendant lights hang from the ceiling so you will have to reach it using a ladder. Always position or stand the ladder on a solid, level floor so that you do not lose your balance on it. If you plan to stay on the ladder to dust the lamp, make sure someone is holding its bottom to keep it from toppling over and to keep you composed.
Another choice is to just use the ladder to access the light and take it apart. Remove the lightbulb first if you decide to do it this way. Next, disassemble the remainder of the fixture with the screwdriver.
Also, ensure that you switch off the power first. Remember, you are dealing with electricity. When cleaning the pendant light or removing the bulb, you don't want any mishaps to happen.
Treat the Brass With Care
Make sure you’ve mixed the solutions you will use for the brass parts of your lighting fixture. But before applying or spraying any cleaner on the brass, it’s best to dust everything off first. You can use the microfiber cloth for this. Once dusted off, you can proceed with the cleaning.
Using the appropriate cleaner and a soft, lint-free cloth, thoroughly clean everything. Any last bits of dust, grime, and tarnish must be removed. Scrub regions that are hard to reach with the toothbrush. If it's safe to do so, you should also try cleaning the hanging pendant lamp's cable or rod.
Leave it for at least 30 minutes, though, if you're using a baking soda and lemon combo. Next, remove the mixture and any tarnish or debris with a dry cloth.
Overall, don't hurry this procedure. To avoid damaging the brass, be careful to proceed with caution. Additionally, remember to often rinse the cloth you're using to maintain cleanliness.
Make Sure Everything’s Dry
Once you’re sure everything’s clean, you can wipe them again with a clean, damp cloth to remove any soap and cleaner residue. After that, it’s time to get them dry. Use a dry and lint-free or microfiber cloth for this. Make sure there are no wet spots left to avoid any incidents with the electricity when you put everything back.
Make the Finish Shine Again
If your pendant light is coated or waxed, you can make it shine brighter again with reapplication. Follow the instructions on the wax; you have to learn how to apply a new layer to your pendant light. If you don’t want to apply anything, you can simply polish the fixture with a soft cloth. This will help you ensure there are no smudges left on it.
For raw brass, you can use a polish. Apply it on a clean, dry cloth and work it into the brass surface. The polish will also help protect the brass material. Once done, make sure to let it dry for a while.
Clean the Light Bulbs Too
Don’t forget about the light bulb of your pendant light. Use a dry, clean cloth to clean it. Remove any dust and dirt. This will allow it to attain bright illumination again. Do it gently—you don’t want to shatter it. Alternatively, you can also use a damp cloth to clean the bulbs. Just make sure not to use excessive water and to dry everything off after doing so.
Reattach Everything and Check If It Works
After you’re sure everything is dry, you can start putting everything back together. This is only if you disassemble it at the start. Put the light bulb back in, the shade—everything. Once everything is back, make sure it works. Turn on the power and make sure your pendant light works perfectly fine.
Important Tips to Keep in Mind When Cleaning Brass
Guarantee your brass pendant lights’ good condition with these additional tips:
- If your pendant light is plugged in, make sure to unplug it before cleaning. You could be shocked by electricity whenever you use materials that unintentionally come into contact with electricity. More accidents may result from this.
- Make sure your ladder is high enough. You won't have to strain too hard to get to the light this way. This is particularly crucial if you intend to clean the pendant light while it is suspended.
- Never use the lemon and baking soda mixture on lacquered and waxed brass. It can destroy the coating and cause more damage than good.
- Don’t try to use anything with ammonia or alcohol as well. These are abrasive, so they damage the brass.
- Stay away from general-purpose cleaners. They can damage the coatings of the fixture too.
- If there are any glass elements in the fixture, don’t put it in the dishwasher. Only hand wash them as they can break in the dishwasher.
- You can use gloves when cleaning. This is especially true if you don’t want your hands getting dirty and wet when cleaning.
- Never soak the brass part in any liquid or solution. Always use the cloth to wipe it down, as soaking can cause water damage.
- If the light bulb is still dim after cleaning, change it. Maybe the issue wasn’t dust all along.
- Clean regularly. One or two weekly cleanings of your brass lighting fixture are recommended to prevent the buildup of dust and dirt.
Key Takeaways
Only when properly cared for can brass pendant lights provide classic beauty. Make sure you identify the type of brass you are working with before beginning any cleaning. Next, gather all necessary materials and resources.
Then, when cleaning, do it gently and slowly. Lastly, make sure you’re safe while doing all of this—turn off the power and stabilize your ladder.
Do you want to check out some more fixtures to add to your space? Check out our brass pendant light collection. Our selection of brass pendant lights is extensive. They are available at varying prices, with varying features, sizes, and designs. Get yours today!
