Cleaning Chandelier in 2 Story Foyer?

I have the handy man that comes to clean my windows twice a year also dust my chandelier. It is easy for him since he has the ladders in the house and is cleaning the window right in front of the chandelier anyway.

I used to sell chandeliers in the crystal dept of a high end store. We had beautiful Waterford and Baccarat chandaliers in the dept. guess who had the honor of cleaning them? Yea, retail is glamorous. Then as the fine crystal buyer guess who still cleaned them?

Anyway, for the super high ceilings if it is not the type that can be lowered with a switch, you will still need a tall ladder (give him a nice gift card to a nice restaurant as a thank you) you will need towels or drop cloths under it.

Do purchase a few bottles of a chandelier cleaner and spray it down really well. We used to purchase it at the hardware store.

Start at the top of the chandalier. divide the chandelier into 3 sections or 4 depending on how big it is, and then start at the top and spray the different levels chandaliers all the way down. This way the dirty bits fall and then you spray that section on the next lower section. Depending on the design. If there are "saucers" on this chandalier, you may need to wipe them out, because the liquid and dirt will collect in them.

These products really do work and are safe on glass and crystal, be warned, if you get up there and realize the "crystals" are actually acrylic, make sure the cleanser uis safe to use on it. Acrylic needs special cleansers and cloths or it will scratch, fog and dull.

I also ended up cleaning the chandalier in a historic home we decorated for an event. The chandalier was filthy and they did not want anyone to touch it! I told them my background and they agreed to allow me to clean it just as I did in the stores. One of the women that had been there over 30 YEARS! Said they had never cleaned it in all of that time! It ended up being a show stopper, people fawned over that fixture for that entire event.

Happy cleaning. It is a hassle, but totally worth it.

I purchased a spray for this at a lighting specialty store. You put a towel on the floor so that any drips are contained, and then spray all over the chandelier. The spray cleans the glass but doesn't leave streaks. This way you don't have to take it down or touch it. I would do this rather than unscrew the chandelier.

I live in a ranch but if I had a two story I would invest in some inexpensive scaffolding. Note, inexpensive does not actually mean cheap, I think they start around 180. You don't want to take it down and clean it. Every time you take it down you are loosening the wires and increasing your risk for fires. Scaffolding allows you to stand at level and just clean it like you would anything else. It can also be used outside as a safer way to clean windows and siding.

Get a ladder and sit it by the side of the chandelier. Line the floor with old newspapers. Use the spray specifically made for this. You simply spray the crystals until they're wet and dripping. The dirt drips off onto the newspapers on the floor. It dries clean and super shiny. I cleaned house for a lady that was older than me and she cleaned her chandelier once per year if it looked dusty. If it didn't she would think about it. Usually just doing it herself because it was pretty easy.

Here are some neat suggestions....

http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=269228

I have one of those fuzzy dusters on its own telescoping pole. Keeps it dusted. My 17 foot ladder and 6 ft H can reach it those few times I ask.

Usually, there is a switch, like a light switch that will lower the chandelier for cleaning.