Solar lights are a great way to light up your garden or yard, and they’re becoming more and more popular every day. Not only are they affordable, but they also help you do your bit for the environment by using solar power and not have to run wiring to every nook and cranny of the yard.
And let’s be honest, they are super easy to install. Stick the stake into the light and the other end into the ground and DONE! No wires! No electric!
That doesn’t mean there isn’t a downside to solar lights. They can easily get dirty, which can affect their performance. In this guide, I’ll show you how to clean and maintain your outdoor solar lights so that they continue to work well for years to come.
Luckily the solar panels on garden lights can be cleaned because they are easy to access. But there are many different ways to clean and so I ran a bit of a test to see which method works the best.
Why It’s Important to Clean Solar Panels
Solar panels work by converting sunlight into electrical energy. The energy generated by the solar panels is used to power the light when it gets dark. Over time, dirt and debris can build up on the solar panels and affect their ability to collect the sunlight. So it is important to clean them regularly to maintain their efficiency and the length the light is on.
Solar Panel Gone Cloudy
After having ours set up for several months, I noticed that they would only light up for about 2 hours a night. Even when the sun was out all day long.
When I looked closer, I noticed that the solar panels were cloudy.
Solar panels can become cloudy for a variety of reasons. The most common reason is that dirt and dust have built up on the surface of the panel. In some cases, this can be cleaned with a simple solution of water and dish soap or another mild detergent.
Be sure to avoid using any harsh chemicals or abrasive materials, as these can damage the light’s delicate solar panel (more on this below).
At first glance, I could loosen caked-on dirt with my finger and simply brush it away, then rinse it with warm water.
But that didn’t seem to do much, so I got to work looking for another way to really get these cleaned up.
I saw people talk about how a vinegar solution would to the trick.
But I also wanted to try something else that required a bit less “elbow grease.” I thought that Dawn Powerwash would be a great solution to this as well.
Since I had enough lights and figured they all needed cleaning, I’d test which method worked best.
Download this checklist to know what needs to be checked during which part of the year. PLUS a cheatsheet on wrench and socket sizes (because they are so annoying).
Download the FREE CheatsheetThings You’ll Need
- vinegar
- water
- soft towel (or microfiber cloth)
- Dawn Powerwash
Instructions for Vinegar and Water Solution
1. Pour one part vinegar and 8 parts water into a spray bottle.
2. If you can, remove the panel casing from the rest of the light. Mine was a simple twist and lift out.
2. Spray the vinegar and water mixture onto the solar panels.
3. Let the vinegar and water mixture sit on the solar panels for about 2 minutes.
4. Use a soft cloth to clean the solar panels.
5. Rinse the solar panels with water.
After about 10 minutes of repeating this process, the panel was much cleaner, but not entirely.
Each light took 10-15 minutes of cleaning and they still didn’t get as clean as I would’ve liked.
Instructions for Dawn Powerwash
1. If you can, remove the panel casing from the rest of the light.
2. Spray the solar panel with until it’s covered completely. Then let it sit for about 2 minutes. I could actually see it bubbling a bit so it had to be working (at least that’s what I thought).
3. Use a soft cloth and wipe away the solution on top. This usually came off with one or two swipes.
Each light took about 2 minutes (probably could’ve been less), but they got really clean, which is what I had hoped for.
The Winning Cleaning Method
THE WINNER!!!!
For me the clear winner was the Dawn Powerwash method. They came out look like they were brand new. They took way less time than the vinegar solution. Plus without having to apply any pressure when wiping them clean, I reduced the risk of scratching them too. Whereas with the vinegar I felt that I had to do some heavy wiping just to get them as clean as they got.
Dawn Powerwash has become a bit of a cleaning secret weapon in our house. I use it on the grill, my wife uses in the kitchen. So that’s why I thought that the solar panels would benefit from it as well.
Suprisingly, after about 3 weeks, the lights with the Dawn Powerwash still were pretty clean, where as the ones that I cleaned with the vinegar looked a bit cloudy again.
Some Other Maintenance Tips
While mine are lighing up my pathway and are pretty out in the open, here are some other things to consider while you’ve got these lights in your hands.
1. Regularly Prune Nearby Shrubs and Trees.
Solar panels need to be in direct sunlight to work properly. If nearby trees or shrubs are overgrown, they may shade the panels and prevent them from getting the proper amount of sunlight. Prune the trees and shrubs back to allow the solar panels to get the sunlight they need.
2. Check Globes and Fixtures for Damage.
Clean globes and fixtures with a mild soap and water solution. Dip a soft brush into the solution and clean the fixtures gently. Be careful to not get the solution into the batteries and other electrical connections.
3. Check the Batteries for Corrosion.
Mine doesn’t have batteries, maybe yours does though. If the garden light is not working, first check the batteries. If they are corroded, the light will not work. To clean the corrosion, use baking soda and water paste.
4. Check Your Wires and Connections.
Check the wiring and connections on the solar panel, light, and battery. Replace the Battery. If the connections are good, then check the battery. Batteries in solar lights eventually wear out and need to be replaced.
5. Adjust Fixture Positions.
Adjusting the fixture positions so that the solar panels are perpendicular to the sun. This will ensure that your solar panels are getting the most direct sunlight possible and will help to increase the amount of power your solar garden lights receive.
Other Questions You May Have
As someone who isn’t handy, I never want to do something that is going to require me more work. So I often will have plenty of questions that need answers before I dive in. Here are a few of those.
What Would Happen If You Did Not Clean Your Solar Panels?
The performance of solar panels diminishes over time due to the accumulation of dust, dirt and bird droppings. If solar panels are not regularly cleaned, their performance can be reduced by as much as 30 percent.
Is Rainwater Not Enough to Clean the Solar Panels?
While rainwater can help clean solar panels, it’s not always enough. To ensure your solar panels are getting the cleanest possible performance, use a solar panel cleaning kit or a water hose with a spray nozzle to rinse off any dirt, bird droppings or other debris.
How Often Do You Need to Clean the Solar Panels of Your Garden Lights?
Solar panels on garden lights should be cleaned every few months, or as needed.
Cleaning Solar Lights with Toothpaste
Apply a bit of the toothpaste to a towel and then rub gently on the panel. Rather than using a toothbrush, the towel won’t scratch the surface.
Cleaning Solar Lights with Nail Polish Remover
Pour a small amount of nail polish remover onto the cloth and wipe the light clean. Be sure to avoid getting any nail polish remover on the light’s electrical components.
Cleaning Solar Lights with Bleach
I’ve read in multiple places not to do this. So don’t do this.
How Often Do You Need to Clean the Solar Panels of Your Garden Lights?
It is important to keep the solar panels of your garden lights clean so that they can continue to charge properly and light up your garden at night. Depending on the location of your garden lights, you may need to clean the solar panels once a month or so. If your garden lights are in a particularly dusty or dirty area, you may need to clean them more often.
Wrapping Up
Cleaning solar panels on garden lights is a relatively easy process that can be done with common household items.
Feel free to run your own test to see which method you like. I know I’m going the Dawn Powerwash from now on.
By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can help to ensure that your solar panels are functioning at their best and that your garden lights are illuminated as intended.
Jason
Here are all the experiences and guides on how to do things that I’ve had to do myself in simple, effective ways. There are many of us who don’t consider ourselves handy. Men, women, geeks, techies, adults who never had the handy parents, etc. But we all need and want to be able to do things ourselves without feeling like we are asking dumb questions. Welcome to Not A Hand Person!
Download this checklist to know what needs to be checked during which part of the year. PLUS a cheatsheet on wrench and socket sizes (because they are so annoying).
Download the FREE Cheatsheet