Solar-powered lights can transform a garden into a stunning nighttime display. Summer presents the perfect opportunity to maximise their potential as you lounge in the garden on balmy summer evenings.
Unfortunately, they often malfunction as as most homeowners fail to maintain them regularly. Experts strongly advise inspecting your solar-powered lights at least monthly, particularly during exceptionally dry summer periods that generate substantial dust and pollen.
Paul Higgins, a specialist from Electrical Faults Fixed, has revealed that examining your solar-powered lights is crucial since pollen and other common garden debris can easily obscure them.
He explained: “Like any other outdoor fixture, solar garden lights are exposed to various elements such as dust, stubborn dirt, bird droppings, and harsh weather conditions that can affect their performance over time.”
Summer sees increased outdoor activity, with routine gardening tasks such as lawn mowing creating additional debris that can settle on your lights.
Even the slightest layer will render solar lights useless, as it completely prevents sunlight from reaching the battery — the primary cause of their failure.
Allowing grime to accumulate on solar lights can eventually lead to cracking, permitting water to penetrate the battery and causing irreparable damage.
Fortunately, cleaning solar-powered lights is remarkably straightforward and should take approximately five minutes, ensuring your garden remains brilliantly illuminated throughout the evening.
When cleaning your solar lights, avoid using a stiff brush as it can easily scratch them, so you need to be as gentle as possible.
Next, combine a bit of washing-up liquid and warm water in a bowl, then use an old toothbrush dipped in the soapy mixture to remove any excess dust.
Washing up liquid is mild and won’t harm the protective coating on the solar light, making it ideal for removing any sticky dust adhering to the surface.
Paul advised, “Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners and instead only opt for mild detergents when cleaning your lights, especially the solar cells’ surface.”
Ensure you only use a few drops of washing-up liquid, as too much will form a film that will also block sunlight, rendering the cleaning of the garden light futile.
If there’s any stubborn debris that won’t come off, add one teaspoon of white vinegar to your soapy mixture. Vinegar is acidic, which can tackle tough stains, but is still gentle enough not to damage the solar light.
Don’t fret if you spot any minor scratches on your solar lights, as you can apply clear nail varnish to shield the light from water or dirt entering the crack.
Paul stated, “If there appear to be any surface scratches on the solar cells after cleaning, a clear nail polish can be used as a protective layer to prevent scratches from occurring. “.
Once you’ve given them a good clean, give your solar lights a once-over to make sure the battery, metal parts and plastic coverings are dust-free and undamaged.
Your solar lights should now be sparkling clean and shining brightly, ready for you to enjoy the rest of summer in the garden.