How to care for outdoor garden lights

The best way to care for outdoor garden lights and ensure they stay in good condition is by starting with correct installation. Follow the garden light's manufactures fitting instructions and recommendation on type and size of light bulbs. Check the IP rating is suitable for the light fitting see I.P. ratings, by making sure your garden lights are fitted correctly and positioned in the right place avoids many of the problems ill fitting lights can cause.

Top tips for outdoor garden lights are:
Stainless steel: Use a soft cloth with some in baby oil to gently clean the outside of the garden light taking care not to smear the lens or the light bulb. Baby oil will care, protect and revitalise stainless steel to make your garden light shine. For more information on stainless steel used on outdoor lighting see reference how are stainless steel lights anti-corrosive.

Glass: Periodically clean glass fitting on outdoor lights. When changing the light bulb on your garden light take the opportunity to clean the light lens. Use normal glass cleaner but take care not to spray any liquid inside the light fitting. Best to take the glass away from the garden light, i.e. on the garden globe light MW120 the glass globe will detach easily. If the garden lights are exposed to heavy use take the lens off on a dry clear day and leave to soak for an hour in warm soapy water. Dry thoroughly before refitting to your garden light.

Debris: When cleaning the glass on your garden light take a look inside for any insect debris. All outdoor and garden lights fittings attract insects. A soft brush or vacuum cleaner will scoop up any debris sitting inside the light fitting. Remove the light bulb before cleaning out your garden light and take care to replace seals - see below.

Seals: Keep the seals intact when changing light bulbs on your garden light. If they slip off just pop them back on around the lens to get the best possible seal. Light seals will benefit from a light coating of oil to keep supple and prevent cracks.

Screw fittings to glass holders: A few drops of machine oil will lubricate the light screws on your garden lights. Service just before winter to protect your garden light and repeat in spring.

Solar lights: The battery cells fitted in solar garden lighting will last for well over 2,000 charges before needing replacements. Because the manufacture of the garden lights is from high grade stainless steel, coupled with LED and high grade solar panels it’s worth changing the cells. A pair of AA 600 mAh nickel metal hydride cells will give another 2,000 charges and last and keep your solar garden lights going for a few more years.
Solar panels: Take care to position the solar panels on your solar powered garden lights to face the sun and capture UV rays for the majority of the daylight hours. Areas that are in shade part of the day will shorten the charging time of your solar lights and reduce the running time. For more information see solar panels.

LED: These are manufactured to last a lifetime, well over 100,000 hours. If they do fail they cannot be replaced easily, see LED facts.

As with all electrical appliances disconnect the power supply before any maintenance work, if in doubt always consult an electrician.