How to clean a Murano glass chandelier

Murano glass is hand blown on the island of Murano near Venice, and no two pieces are identical. That is what makes it worth owning and what makes cleaning it a careful job rather than a quick one.

Work slowly, and set aside a couple of hours. The most common damage happens through rushing, not through the cleaning itself.

Before you start

Turn off the power at the switch and let the bulbs cool completely. Lay a padded drop cloth or a folded blanket beneath the chandelier to protect the floor and to catch anything that slips.

You will need mild dish soap or a gentle glass cleaner, warm water, several soft microfibre cloths, cotton gloves, a stable step ladder, and somewhere clean to lay pieces out to dry.

Photograph it first

Take clear photographs from several angles before removing anything. Murano arrangements are rarely symmetrical, and this is the single step that saves the most time later.

Remove the glass

Put on the gloves, both to protect the glass from the oils on your skin and to improve your grip. Remove each piece starting from the outermost, and lay them out in the order you took them off.

Wash each piece

Mix warm water with a few drops of mild dish soap, or use a gentle glass cleaner. Wipe each piece with a soft microfibre cloth, paying attention to detailed sections where dust collects. Rinse with clean water so no residue is left to dry as a film, pat dry, and leave to air dry completely.

Wipe the frame

Use a barely damp cloth on the frame, then dry it straight away with a second clean cloth. Standing water on metal is what causes tarnishing, which in this climate can appear quickly.

Reassemble and restore power

Working from your photographs, refit the glass from the innermost pieces outward, checking each is seated securely. Replace any failed bulbs while you still have access, then restore power.

Common questions

Can Murano glass get wet?

Yes. Murano glass can be washed with water and a soft cloth. It is delicate in the sense that it chips and cracks if knocked or handled roughly, not in the sense that water harms it.

Can you use Windex on a Murano chandelier?

You can, but we would not. A gentle, dedicated glass cleaner is safer on decorative glass. Whichever you use, spray it onto the cloth and never directly onto the fixture, so liquid cannot run into fittings or sit on metal.

How often should it be cleaned?

In Phnom Penh, roughly twice a year is sensible for most homes. Dust accumulates faster here than in temperate climates, and open-plan layouts accelerate it.

When to call someone

If the chandelier is large, hangs over a stairwell, sits above a hard floor, or has any electrical fault, have it done professionally. We service the pieces we supply, and clean and maintain fixtures for clients across Phnom Penh.