How to Clean Landscape Lighting

Table of Contents:

What You Will Need
The Cleaning Process
Additional Tips and Advice

Landscape lighting is easily installed, offers elegance and adds safety to your home. Because they are constantly exposed to all that Mother Nature has to offer, they will need regular cleanings to keep them looking and working their best.

What You Will Need:

Windex or other glass cleaner
Mild dish detergent
Buckets
Clean soft cloths
Soft bristled brush or old toothbrush
Toothpicks and/or cotton swabs
Lint-free cloths
High Quality Car Wax
Mr. Clean Magic Eraser

The Cleaning Process:

Disconnect all power sources before cleaning any electrical piece. Leaving the power connected can lead to serious injury.
Make sure the light is off and the bulbs are cool before you get started.
Remove dirt, leaves, and other debris that may have collected around the fixtures.
Fill a bucket with water and add a small amount of dish detergent. Mix until suds begin to form.
Fill a second bucket with plain water; this will be your rinse water.
Dip the soft cloth into the washing solution and wipe away any dirt and debris from the outer casing.
Use the soft bristled brush to remove dirt from crevices and under/around any decorative accents.
Depending on the design of your lighting and how clean you want it to look, you can also use toothpicks or cotton swabs dipped in the cleaning solution to remove dirt from the edges.
If stubborn dirt and grime remains, use the Magic Eraser to remove it. This product can be slightly abrasive if too much pressure is applied, so use gently. This product removes nearly all dirt and grime without damaging the surface. However, you may want to check a small inconspicuous area first to be sure there are no adverse affects on your piece.
Rinse the piece thoroughly by dampening a clean cloth with the plain water and wiping away all soap and cleaning residue. This is an important step as the residue will turn white and be more difficult to remove after it has dried.
Dry thoroughly with a clean towel.
After all the dirt and grime is removed to your satisfaction, you can add some final touches to really make it shine!
Spray the glass cleaner on the window part of the light and wipe away with the lint-free cloth.
Use the soft cloth to apply a high quality car wax to the metal casing of the lamp about every six months. This will offer protection from environmental factors that can damage the metal.
When all components of your lighting have dried completely, reconnect the power source and enjoy the beauty of all your hard work!

Additional Tips and Advice

If possible, check the manufacturer’s website for cleaning tips for the specific product that you are cleaning.
Clean metal elements with a special cleaner or polish made for the type of metal that you have. For more information, see our articles about cleaning metals.
Periodically prune back braches and other obstacles that may grow over your light as time passes. This is also a good time to reposition your lights as necessary.
Check the cords to your lights periodically for any signs of wear or damage. If a weak spot is found, fix it immediately using mastic or caulking, whichever is appropriate for your lighting.
Some outdoor lighting is specially designed and should only be maintained by a specially trained professional for safety reasons. If this is the case, consult with your dealer or local landscape companies to find a suitable match for your needs.