What are your priorities when cleaning your home? Kitchen, bathroom, refrigerator, stove, sweeping floors, and the list goes on and on. With so many items and surfaces, it’s understandable that light switches are way down on the list, but maybe you need to reconsider.
Light switches are one of the grimiest things in your house. They are used countless times daily, transferring germs and bacteria back and forth. So, the next time you clean, you’ll know how crucial it’s to focus on these tiny plates.
Read to learn how to clean your light switches, whether you want to remove any visible stains or keep them bacteria-free.
Be careful and avoid accidents!
Since electricity is involved, you’ll have to be careful to avoid the risk of an electric shock. Of course, you could clean the switches carefully, but it’s better to turn off the main supply before beginning.
As your house will be without power while you clean the switches, choose a time of the day where you have a lot of light, so morning or early in the afternoon is a good idea.
How to clean light switches
You won’t need expensive products to do the job since you may have the necessary items already in your house.
Prepare a cleaning solution
Fill a container with 1 cup of vinegar, ˝ cup of rubbing alcohol, and ˝ cup of hydrogen peroxide. If you like, you can add a few drops of essential oil. Then, mix everything to make your cleaning solution.
Remove the grime
Next, grab a microfiber cloth and dampen it with the cleaning solution. Here you can do two things: wipe the switch and the cover directly or unscrew it to have an easier time cleaning the switch. Note that removing the plate will be safer than applying the solution directly.
If you choose not to unscrew (or can’t remove the cover), dampen the cloth just enough to avoid water filtering through the crevices. Rub the cover and then the switch making sure to cover all the surfaces.
Note: If there are hard-to-reach spots, you can use a q-tip to clean them.
Finishing touches
Once grime-free, remove the excess moisture and solution with a clean, dry soft towel. Be sure to leave it completely dry to avoid damaging the electrical components and causing an accident.
Brass-type light switches
If you have brass switch plates, you’ll want to try a method that doesn’t damage them. The recommendation is to remove the plates from the wall, as you’ll need to sprinkle them with salt or baking soda.
Then, cut a lemon and rub the previously sprinkled cover to start removing the stains. Wipe away the paste every time you need to check for stains. Repeat the process as necessary. Finally, polish the plate with a microfiber cloth, dry it, and get it back in place.
Keep your light switches clean!
Have you finished cleaning but wouldn’t like to do an in-depth cleaning again? CHRIStal Clean is your best option! Don’t worry about grimy switches, as our professional cleaners will leave them spotless every time. No hidden fees, no surprises.