Much in the same manner that we just completed the small appliances cleaning and inspecting for safety, we are now going to tackle our lighting. We all use lamps and other lighting to create alternate lighting instead of an overhead fixture. We have lamps by our beds, in our living areas, by your favorite reading chair, on the desk; essentially all over our homes. It is important to check lamps for cord wear and plug stability. This helps to reduce fire hazards in our homes. Cleaning the lamps is easy and quick and puts us one step ahead on our “Every Nook and Cranny” cleaning that we will begin after our organizational tasks are complete. So here’s how we’ll begin:

1. Work in one room at a time.
2. Unplug the lamp.
3. Remove the Shade if applicable
4. Either take the shade outside and clean off dust with a soft brush or wipe the lampshade with a dry cloth. Give particular attention to the top rim, wire framework and bottom rim. This is where much dust collects. You may want to leave your lampshade outside while you finish the rest of the room to freshen.
5. Take a soft cloth and spray some cleaner on the cloth and wipe all surfaces of the lamp. (If the lamp is turned off, wipe the light bulb as well).
6. Wipe the entire length of the cord with the soft cloth with a little cleaner on it. Check for fraying or damage as you go. Inspect the plug for soundness to ensure that it is not damaged.
7. Replace the shade and turn on the light to ensure that it works properly.

As the light bulbs in the lamps burn out, replace with higher efficiency bulbs to reduce energy waste and therefore lower your energy costs.

Now, move on until you have cleaned all the lighting fixtures in your home with the intention of removing as much dust as possible. If you have different lighting fixtures, clean them carefully with the same process.

Ceiling and wall fixtures need to be cleaned as well.

1. Remove any glass or crystal features of the fixture. These can be washed in warm soapy water and dried with a soft cloth.
2. With a soft brush, dust the ceiling in the room. You are going to do this anyway when you begin the “Every Nook and Cranny” cleaning section of the Transformational Organization process.
3. With a soft cloth moistened with a small amount of water or a mild cleaner, wipe the entire surface of the fixture including the hanging hardware.
4. Replace any burnt out bulbs.
5. Replace the clean glass or crystal features.

You have finished the lamps and lighting cleaning so take some time for your beauty routine and then enjoy reading by your clean lamps and lighting fixtures.