How to Clean Solar Garden Lights

Solar garden lights ensure that your garden stays light during the night at no cost at all. They are one of the best environmentally friendly solutions in regard to outdoor lighting. Keeping them clean and well kept will avoid extra expenses.

Step 1 - Getting Ready

Use your solar light instructions to help you disassemble your lights. This way, you will be able to access the solar panels inside it. Remember to be very careful when removing the lights because they may be fragile.

Step 2 - Cleaning the Solar Battery

Once you have disassembled your lights you should be able to locate the solar battery. It is important to take it out of the light fixture to be able to clean it properly.

First, you need to check if there is any oxidation (a compound with a whitish ashy color) where the plastic and cell pack make contact. If the batteries have oxidized, clean them with a small soft brush. This should be easy because the oxidation will be dry and will brush off. Make sure to also clean the areas of contact with the light fixture. If your solar battery has been in use for more than a year and hasn’t been functioning properly for some time, you should consider replacing it, especially if it keeps malfunctioning after you remove the oxidization.

Step 3 - Cleaning the Solar Panel

It is important to keep the solar panel clean. Try to clean it at least once a month. When doing this you should use a damp, lint-free cloth and gently wipe down the collector panel. Make sure to remove any dust, dirt or grime that may accumulate with time. Keep in mind that these lights are placed outdoors, so dirt, dust, and bugs will be easily deposited on top of the panel. It is very important to keep the solar panel clean and it is even more important to wipe it gently. Do not brush the panel down because it is a very delicate piece. Once you have cleaned the panel you can wipe it with a dry cloth.

Step 4 - Finishing Up

After you have cleaned the panel you can turn your attention to the outer shell of the solar garden lights which you have disassembled in your first step. You can wipe them with a damp cloth, or wash them in a sink if they are made of glass or plastic. Make sure to carefully dry them before re-assembling the lights. Once the lights are cleaned inside and outside, you can use the solar garden light instructions to re-assemble your light fixture as it was before the cleaning job.

This is one of the easiest ways to clean your solar garden lights. Remember that it is very important to clean them regularly so that sunlight is not obstructed from reaching the collector panel, especially since that is the only energy source these lights have.