Clean Solar Lights: 6 Effective Ways

When decorating a pathway, it’s critical to create a source of light so people can see the floor at night. One of the most practical tools in the modern world is solar light. 

The solar lights turn sunlight into energy, making it possible to make light in a more environmentally friendly way. To keep the lights in working condition, cleaning is necessary.

How do you clean solar lights?

If you’re interested in learning more about cleaning solar lights, you’ve come to the right place.

Read on to learn about each step to properly clean the solar lights and ensure they will work properly in your yard. The better care you provide for your solar lights, the better they will serve you and your guests in the yard.

Wipe the Solar Panels and Bulbs

First, consider the panels and bulbs in each solar light. These spots can easily get clogged with dirt and dust, making it harder for the solar lights to work. You must remove any additional debris if you want the lights to last for a long time.

If you want to wipe the panels and bulbs, you should:

• Wipe debris and other items off with a damp bulb
• Clean any caked dirt with a wet, soapy rag
• Rewet the cloth and wipe the rest of the light
• Repeat a few times a month for ideal performance

They should be cleaner after this process.

It may take a couple of times with a wet rag to remove the grit and grime from the panels and bulbs. Once you do, check to see if the panels are cloudy. If they are, move forward to the next step.

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Fix Cloudy Panels

The older solar panels get, the more vulnerable they are to destruction from the sun and the natural world. Exposed panels may eventually become cloudy. If you want the solar light to work properly, it’s critical to clean it off.

Here’s what you need to do to fix cloudy solar panels:

• Put painting tape over the plastic portion of the panel for protection.
• Use soap, water, and a sponge to remove debris
• Spray lacquer on the panel to remove fading

It should be better after these steps.

Repeat this process a few times a month to ensure the solar lights stay at the best of their ability as they work to light the outside of your home. The less fog on the solar panel, the more light it will produce for your path or garden. Once you have that step out of the way, it’s time to address the battery. 

Get Rid of Battery Corrosion

Solar lights have batteries inside that store the energy trapped by the panels. If they sit for too long in one place, they can corrode and break apart from the inside. It’s critical to take a look at the batteries to determine if they have corrosion. If they do, remove it as soon as possible.

Here’s what you need to do to get rid of battery corrosion:

• Look for corrosion on the battery, which will look like white sand attached to the battery
• If there is corrosion, remove the battery
• Add a drop of vinegar to the areas of the solar light with corrosion
• Use a toothbrush to scrub and remove the corrosion
• Add fine-grit sandpaper if you need additional assistance

You can then replace the lid and ensure everything is back in place.

If you’re tired of working with corroded batteries, it may be time to replace them. Let’s talk about that possibility next.

Replace Batteries If Needed

If there is too much corrosion, you need to replace the batteries. Most people take out old alkaline batteries and replace them with varieties of the same product. However, it may be time to consider rechargeable solar batteries instead. These can cause less trouble than alkaline batteries.

Rechargeable solar batteries can be expensive, but they’re worth the additional trouble. They will save time and energy down the line as they need less maintenance and replacements than traditional alkaline batteries.

Once you have the fresh batteries inside the device, check to see if you can turn them on. If you can, the device is good to go. If they don’t, you need to try new batteries. If new batteries don’t work, you may need to purchase a new solar light altogether.

Prevent Future Harm

Once you have the new batteries in and have cleaned off every component, it’s time to put the solar lights back in the ground. Now, it’s time to consider the ways you can prevent future damage from occurring.

Here are a few ways to keep your solar lights safer outside:

• Keep bushes and trees trimmed
• Adjust positions and fix wires to ensure everything is in line
• Ensure there are no spots where wildlife can chew through wires
• Place the solar lights far enough from the path that they won’t get kicked

These will help them last longer than they would without protection.

Preventing future damage is just as critical as cleaning solar lights. The more preventative measures you take, the less time you will need to spend cleaning the devices in the future.

Consider New Lights

Sometimes, cleaning solar lights in the garden is not possible. Your solar lights may be broken or split in ways that require more than a simple fix. If this is the case with your lights, you may want to consider replacing them. There are several places you can find new solar lights on the market.

Here are a few of the best locations to find new lights:

• A local department store
• Online 
• A garden store

You can find various price points in each of these locations.

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If it’s going to cost more for you to fix solar lights than it will to replace them, invest in new ones. You can start from scratch and ensure you do everything to keep damage at bay. Clean these new solar lights often to ensure they stay in working order for as long as possible.

Sources:

• Solar Lights
• 3 Easy Ways to Clean Solar Lights – wikiHow
• How to Restore your Solar Pathway Lights in 5 Easy Steps! – Fixer
• How to Clean + Maintain Outdoor Solar Lights (Guide) | Install-It-Direct