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Light fixture cleaning day...

(46 Posts)
CanadianGran Tue 20-May-25 20:50:22

Looking up at the light fixture in our spare room the other day I realized t was quite dusty, so made it my chore today to clean all the light fixtures and lamps on our main floor.

Ceiling fixtures taken apart (those that can be), washed and put back together, all lamp shades vacuumed, lamps wiped or polished. Given that each room has a ceiling fixture and one or two lamps, it was quite a job! Giving myself a pat on the back and well deserved cup of coffee now.

What chores do you have that you don't get around to very often? Or do you do light fixtures as part of a routine while you dust?

cc Sun 25-May-25 14:54:47

Alie2Oxon

Light fixture cleaning day? sound a bit obsessive to me, but then I've never tried it.....

Yes, me too. Just wait for a windy day, open all the doors and windows to let a good breeze flow right through, and waft the dust away.

AuntieE Sun 25-May-25 15:00:29

Bravo, Canadiangran!

I have been considering bringing in the steps to take down the sitting-room lampshade that needs washing for a month now.

Not sure when I shall make the attempt. I have a nasty suspicion the steps are not really tall enough for me to do it safely, so I have been putting it off, at least until there is someone else here to steady the steps. Or someone taller than I, who could reach.

But I did clean the upstairs windows last week, and would you believe it? Already some impertinent bird has soiled one of them!

Silverlady333 Sun 25-May-25 15:26:49

Well I finally got around to cleaning my plantation blinds in the curved bay window and cleaned all the insides of the actual windows. My excuse for the delay is I can't do it when the sun is shining on it, Also once the old man sits in his chair it is hard to get him to move! However I did it and it is all lovely and clean now but I have to tackle the kitchen plantation blinds and windows next. My light fittings are quite modern but I do have some glass shades that could do with a wash. However my next task is the rotten ironing and I am procrastinating while reading Gransnet. This flaming retirement is not all it is cracked up to be is it? The housework still beckons and if his nibs attempts it I just end up re doing what he has done badly!

LindyB Sun 25-May-25 15:36:32

Can anyone recommend a good electric floor cleaner that gets into corners/floor edges that can be used on Karndean. Thank you

Barbadosbelle Sun 25-May-25 15:41:14

CrazyH

Costco-online are very good with this.

They will take away your old appliance when delivering a like-for-like purchase.

It has to be unplugged with fittings etc all removed and ready to go.
.

NotTooOld Sun 25-May-25 16:14:40

gransruleok

Surely you all know the “dust if you must” poem….

What is it, please?

Tableforoneplease Sun 25-May-25 16:58:15

Dust if you must, but wouldn't it be better
To paint a picture, or write a letter,
Bake a cake, or plant a seed;
Ponder the difference between want and need?

Dust if you must, but there's not much time,
With rivers to swim, and mountains to climb;
Music to hear, and books to read;
Friends to cherish, and life to lead.

Dust if you must, but the world's out there
With the sun in your eyes, and the wind in your hair;
A flutter of snow, a shower of rain,
This day will not come around again.

Dust if you must, but bear in mind,
Old age will come and it's not kind.
And when you go (and go you must)
You, yourself, will make more dust

Lahlah65 Sun 25-May-25 17:50:54

I discovered a technique for glass light fittings that saves work. I use HG window cleaner (which comes in a concentrate so has to be diluted) with a tablespoon of white vinegar. Put an old towel on the floor underneath the light. Spray it liberally with the cleaner. Wait for it all to drip off (with the dirt) and chuck the towel in the washing machine! It works a dream. HG actually make a chandelier cleaner, which I’m tempted to try. I don’t have chandeliers (much to my regret - I’d love a lovely Murano one) but I do have glass light fittings, including the ones with ribbed glass shades. This works on all of them.

lafergar Sun 25-May-25 17:56:00

I just waft a feather duster round my chandeliers

Oh, I so know that feeling.

Lahlah65 Sun 25-May-25 17:56:29

Couldn’t resist sending this picture. I happened to be at the Assembly Rooms in Bath a couple of years ago on the day that they had lowered the chandeliers for cleaning…… now that is a job. (Cue the Only Fools and Horses jokes!)

Madmeg Sun 25-May-25 18:10:55

Yes please to suggestions for Karndean. You can't use the usual floor washers. Would one of those Spin scrubbers be okay (not too much water?).

sazz1 Sun 25-May-25 22:17:36

My copper fender and brass kettle, trivet and companion set. It's a quick easy job now I've discovered Barkeepers friend powder but still gets avoided

gransruleok Sun 25-May-25 22:31:09

Thank you table for one please

Mt61 Sun 25-May-25 22:35:45

Ironing.

Mt61 Sun 25-May-25 22:44:00

I got rid of my chandelier, bought this instead, a good compromise

Seabreeze Mon 26-May-25 19:23:28

Light fittings and tops of wardrobes. hmm.

CanadianGran Mon 26-May-25 20:47:37

Mt61, that is very pretty!

Tableforoneplease, I love that poem, so true!

I've made an easy chore for myself today. I purchased a battery operated pencil sharpener and will happily spend a satisfying 30 minutes making lovely points on all the pencils and coloured pencils I can scrounge up.

I sorted through my arts and crafts bin that I use for grandkids and realized all the pencil crayons were broken or dull. New colour markers purchased, and a few colouring books tossed.

Crossstitchfan Tue 27-May-25 00:20:38

Someone above said about not being able to clean windows when the sun shines on them. How true! I had the same problem until I discovered that cleaning the insides of windows is a doddle if you do it after dark. It is easy to see streaks then.

Mt61 Tue 27-May-25 11:21:33

CanadianGran

Mt61, that is very pretty!

Tableforoneplease, I love that poem, so true!

I've made an easy chore for myself today. I purchased a battery operated pencil sharpener and will happily spend a satisfying 30 minutes making lovely points on all the pencils and coloured pencils I can scrounge up.

I sorted through my arts and crafts bin that I use for grandkids and realized all the pencil crayons were broken or dull. New colour markers purchased, and a few colouring books tossed.

Ahh thanks Canadiangran 😊

Crossstitchfan Tue 27-May-25 17:46:57

Lahlah65

Couldn’t resist sending this picture. I happened to be at the Assembly Rooms in Bath a couple of years ago on the day that they had lowered the chandeliers for cleaning…… now that is a job. (Cue the Only Fools and Horses jokes!)

They look beautiful. I would hate to be one of the staff cleaning them though. Imagine if you broke one?? 🫢