Refurbishing a Vintage Chandelier

Lower the chandelier to a manageable height or remove from the ceiling and set on a table. Examine each of the crystals, looking for broken or damaged pieces. Remove any glass pieces or crystals and divide into two piles: one for cleaning and one for broken pieces.

Fill one plastic bucket with several squirts of dish soap and warm water. Stir the mixture until suds form. In the second bucket mix 1/4 cup ammonia or distilled white vinegar with 1 gallon warm water. Place a towel next to the buckets.

Dunk the glass pieces in the bucket of soap and water. Remove from the first bucket and dunk into the second bucket. Pull the pieces from the bucket and set on the towel. Rub the lint-free cloth over each crystal or glass piece, removing any dust or debris.

Clean the metal base of the chandelier with metal cleaner specifically designed for that type of metal. Use brass cleaner for brass chandeliers and iron cleaner for iron chandeliers. Rub the cleaner on the metal and wipe off with a lint-free cloth.

Replace any broken or damaged crystals or glass pieces. For crystals, untwist the wire holding the crystal with a set of pliers. Slip the new crystal onto the wire and twist closed with the pliers. For glass cups that hold light bulbs in place, simply unscrew the cups and screw the new one onto the chandelier.