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Schonbek has been making crystal chandeliers since 1870, and we know all about cleaning crystal. Here’s how we do it (and recommend you do it).
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We know people who clean their Schonbek chandeliers every few months, because they love handling the crystal and admiring it close up. Others do a cleaning every six or nine months.
To stretch the time between cleanings, dust lightly every two or three months with a feather duster, lambswool duster or make-up brush.
Frequency of cleaning crystal depends on the location of your crystal chandelier, type of crystal and shape of the jewels. For example, STRASS® Swarovski® Crystal manufactured in the last decade has a surface that repels dust and needs cleaning only very occasionally. Handcut crystal pendeloques tend to show dust, but they are easy to clean because of their size and flatness.
Crystal needs cleaning when it appears dusty or dull. Just look at your crystal chandelier frequently (always enjoyable), and you’ll know when to reach for the white gloves.
Choose among the cleaning methods below, according to the style of your Schonbek and your personal preference.
WARNING: For your safety, follow the directions below explicitly. Extreme care must be taken around any electrical fixture.
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This method does not require removing crystal.
Prepare a cleaning solution of one part isopropyl alcohol to three parts distilled water. Put it in a spray bottle.
Wear white cotton gloves. Spray one glove with the above solution and keep one dry. Caress the crystal with the damp glove and wipe it immediately with the dry glove. This can be fun if you love crystal!
IMPORTANT: Do not use packaged cleaning fluids under any circumstances, even if they claim to be for crystal. They may contain ammonia or other chemicals that will eventually degrade the frame finish. The crystal cleaning methods described here are the only methods Schonbek supports.
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If you’re coping with the grime of the centuries, you might want to detach the crystal from your chandelier for cleaning.
And certain crystal chandelier styles can only be cleaned by removing the trim.
Always locate your trim diagram before removing crystal, so you’ll know how to reassemble the chandelier. If you’ve lost your trim diagram, the nearest showroom that carries Schonbek chandeliers can probably give you a replacement on the spot. Or you can call Schonbek at 800-836-1892.
Hand-wash the crystal in lukewarm sudsy water, using a mild dish soap like Palmolive®. Rinse in clean water and dry with a soft clean cloth.
Wear white gloves when re-hanging the crystal on the chandelier.
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Before cleaning, put a towel or blanket under your crystal chandelier so that, if you dislodge a piece of crystal, your table or floor won’t suffer a nick (and the crystal is more likely to survive).
Never twirl or rotate your crystal chandelier. When cleaning, walk or move your ladder around the chandelier and clean in sections. By rotating a chandelier, you risk loosening its support, which could cause the chandelier or its crystals to fall.
To brighten the whole chandelier, be sure and wipe the light bulbs. But wait till they’re completely cool. Never touch bulbs with anything wet; it can cause them to shatter.
Never put crystal in the dishwasher!
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Always wear white gloves or finger cots when dressing or cleaning your Schonbek crystal chandelier. Fine crystal picks up fingerprints. In the Schonbek factory, we never handle crystal with our bare hands. Schonbek product packaging includes finger cots.
Make sure your electrician and your cleaning professional use white gloves or finger cots, too.
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