Dear Home-ec 101:
I had to change a lightbulb in my kitchen the other day and the globe is nasty with dust and grease. Is there an easy way to fix this?
Grimy in Greensboro
Heather says:
I’ll be the first to admit it, I’m a klutz. The only way I’ll be able to pass grace on to my children is if it’s on their birth certificate. That being said, I don’t like to handle glass light fixtures any more than I have to.
Some people swear by hand washing the globes and shields in the sink with a good detergent. Personally, I prefer to run them through the dishwasher and only handle them dry. (Have I mentioned I can be lazy, too?)
For the fixture itself, use a rag or sponge dampened with degreaser, think of products like Method or Pine-Sol. For goodness sake make sure the light is off and never spray cleaner near open sockets.

Finally, a little prevention will help keep your lights sparkling. Always run the exhaust fan while cooking, this prevents sticky grease from depositing on your lights, walls, and ceiling. Also, if you’re a smoker, don’t smoke in the house, as the resulting film seems to be one of the world’s most persistent stains.
Submit your household questions to helpme@home-ec101.com.







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