Ideally, at the start of the gardening season, you should thoroughly remove all dirt from the surfaces of your outdoor lights so that they shine as brightly as possible. The surfaces and sockets of outdoor lighting are generally well protected against the elements and require little maintenance. Care should be taken with painted surfaces – they are particularly susceptible to dirt and scratches. However, dust and dirt can usually be easily removed from painted lamps. We explain the best way to clean the different materials so that your lamps stay in good condition throughout the gardening season!
Cleaning glass, plastic and acrylic lamps
Usually, it is sufficient to wipe the surfaces of plastic or glass garden lights thoroughly with window cleaner and a cloth to restore their former shine.
Cleaning ceramic and terracotta lamps
To be on the safe side, clay garden lights should only be cleaned with a dry cloth or with water, as many glazes are sensitive to substances contained in chemical cleaning products. Particular care should be taken with engobed ceramics, such as those offered by some Italian manufacturers. Terracotta lamps may react to oily and greasy solutions by developing unsightly stains.
Brass, copper and zinc
With brass, a distinction is made between polished and patinated surfaces, the latter being recognisable by their darker hue: over time, the copper-zinc alloy forms a natural patina that acts as a surface protection. For unvarnished (unlacquered) surfaces, you should avoid chemical cleaners and use a soft cloth. With a little pressure and rubbing, all stains on the lamps can be removed this way. For varnished surfaces, a soft cloth should also be used to prevent scratches!
Cleaning iron and aluminium lamps
These two metals are generally only used for outdoor lighting with painted surfaces, as otherwise they would rust over time. You can therefore use a mild chemical cleaner and a soft cloth. For more stubborn stains, scouring cream rubbed in with gentle pressure helps. Small scratches in the paintwork must also be avoided at all costs. If they do occur, the surface should be repainted.
Chrome, stainless steel and nickel
Garden lights made of stainless steel, chrome and nickel usually have a very thin coating that acts as reliable rust protection. When cleaning, care must be taken to avoid scratches. So here too, use a soft cloth and, ideally, only mild cleaning agents.
Wiring and electrical components
Thanks in particular to energy-efficient LED bulbs, plastic casings and sockets will last for many generations. This is because LEDs generate significantly less heat than incandescent light bulbs.
