Mamas- what is the best way to clean the glass lightbulb covers that screw into a celing fan. The celing fan we have in the apartment we moved into is gross. It looks like it hasn't been cleaned in about 5 years. (The dust is gummy- who leaves dust until it's gummy?!) I unscrewed everything and have the fans blades soaking in water with bleach and the glass things in hot water with a little dishwashing liquid. But they are still yellow. (SO yuck) Any ideas?!
If it's sticky stuff it's prbly grease or smoke. I always use a grease remover...like 401 for the kitchen. It has bleach in it too. Always worked for me!
Sounds like it could be smoked stained, try the stuff that cleans dentures soak it in that for a bit.
good luck and you are so good to take such good care of this.
J.
You could try washing the glass with amonia diluted with water or check the internet for other ideas!
sounds like YEARS of smoking and cooking grime.....I think you are on track. If the fan blades don't come clean ( dont' soak them too long, the are made of particle board and one nick could cause them to absorb large quantities of water, warp and swell)....... I have found that a paste made of Dawn dish detergent and Automatice Dish washing powder brushed on both the blades and glass shades works about the best. I use a toothbrush so I can get into the little grooves. If all else fails....a can of spray paint will spruce up the blades and new globes can be purchased for about $3 or $4 each at your local home center (Menard's, Lowes or Home Depot). I agree the option of living with them is just YUCK!
Good Luck!
You can try running the glass covers through the dish washer or try white vinegar and water. It may be nicotine, if the person before you smoked.
S.
I would do vinegar and warm/hot water. It really does sound like nicotine damage. Bleach them if you still can't get the yellow out, but it may not help. If your glass covers are still not the color you want,Home Depot and Lowe's have a nice selection, for a decent price. Just a thought, I found some very cool ones at a garage sale, a few years ago, for .50/each.
If you are washing walls, try spic -n-span. Getting smoke damage out of a home is a huge challenge.
Good luck.
try using vinger it brightens. Good luck
You are ging to think I am crazy, but try a used (or new) dryer sheet and use it as you would a wet cloth. They clean grease and grime off of anything!
Yellow spots on globes that old are probably burns. That won't come out. You'll have to buy new globes at Home Depot. They won't be the same but they are reasonable and you could probably buy new ones for the whole house for $50.00 or less. The update will be beautiful and bright. Well worth the trip and cost.
Top shelf of the dishwasher worked for me.
Vinegar.. enjoy your new place ox
