On Fri, 19 Oct 2012 03:47:26 +0000 (UTC), gregz wrote:

" wrote:
On Thu, 18 Oct 2012 22:07:45 -0400, Dan Espen wrote:

writes:

On Thu, 18 Oct 2012 14:11:06 -0400, Dan Espen
wrote:

writes:

With the old incandescent bulbs, washing lightbulbs was pretty simple.
Just remove them from the fixture, then dip them in the sink and wash
them. Wipe them dry with a dish towel, and replace them.

These new CF bulbs are different. Dipping them in water results in
their base filling up with water. This is where their electronics are
located, so once they are dipped in water, they are ruined, or at least
require weeks or more to completely dry internally. On top of this,
their swirlly glass top is much harder to clean. So far, it appears
that the only way to clean them is to use Q-tips and spend a half hour
to clean each bulb. This is time consuming and very annoying.

We wash our bulbs about twice a year. What used to take two or three
hours, now takes two or three days. We're not impressed with these new
bulbs. At least they could seal them so that water can not get inside
when they are washed.

Has anyone found a better way to clean these CF bulbs?

You're kidding right?

You're not supposed to eat off your light bulbs, screw them in, then
leave them alone.
Dust accumulation reduces output - sometimes significantly.

So, you wash all the bulbs in your house twice a year?

Usually once, when I clean the fans.

Here in New Jersey, we don't get that kind of dust accumulation.
Not in one year, not even in five. I've got some bulbs in my attic
fixtures that have been there over 35 years.

I'm really not concerned if the attic fixtures get a little dusty.

Just checked, a little dusty, but bright enough that I think I'll wait
until they burn out.

Some people don't clean anything. shrug

The only bulbs I have are in the fridge, and running for a long time.

I have about 40 in the "old" house. All of them, with the exception of the
four in the back porch fan, are at least five years old and all have been
cleaned in the last couple of months. The "new" place has probably half that
number (and half that again) CFLs. I haven't done anything to them, yet,
including replace the CFLs for incandescents. ;-)

I remember cleaning ceiling flame bulbs once. Made a clear difference.

Clear bulbs clearly need cleaning. ;-)