Cleaning tanning bed bulbs is not a job that many people want to do. However, for the health and safety of yourself and those around you, you must regularly clean your bulbs.
This blog post will tell you how to clean tanning bed bulbs properly with vinegar, water, and baking soda, so you don’t have to worry about harming your skin or lungs when in such proximity!
Summary: Cleaning tanning bed bulbs is essential for maintaining the performance, safety, and hygiene of your tanning bed. Regular cleaning can help remove dust, dirt, and oils that may accumulate on the bulbs, which can lead to reduced output and diminished tanning results. Before attempting to clean the bulbs, gather the necessary materials, such as a clean, lint-free cloth or microfiber towel, rubbing alcohol or a gentle cleaning solution, a pair of gloves, and a step stool or ladder to access the tanning bed bulbs comfortably.
To begin, ensure that the tanning bed is switched off and unplugged to eliminate any risk of electrical shock. Allow the bulbs to cool down completely before handling them to prevent burns. Open the tanning bed’s canopy, which may require removing screws or clips to access the bulbs. Wearing gloves to protect your hands and prevent oils from your skin from transferring to the bulbs, dampen the lint-free cloth or microfiber towel with rubbing alcohol or a gentle cleaning solution.
Gently wipe the surface of each bulb, removing any dust, dirt, or oils that may have accumulated. Avoid using an excessive amount of liquid, as this can cause the bulbs to crack when they heat up during use. After cleaning each bulb, use a dry cloth to remove any residual moisture. Once all the bulbs are clean and dry, close the tanning bed canopy and reassemble any components that were removed. Plug in the tanning bed and ensure that all the bulbs are functioning properly before resuming use.
10 Steps on How to Clean Tanning Bed Bulbs:
Step 1: Unplug the Power Source
It’s a rule that if you’re cleaning anything in your tanning bed, do NOT leave it plugged in. If you want to clean your bulb’s face or remove the bulbs from your machine, ensure it is unplugged before doing so.
Step 2: Remove the Clear Acrylic Panels
Depending on what model of tanning bed you have, this process may vary. Many times, it’s as simple as unscrewing the four screws holding the acrylic panels onto the bed.
However, on older models, there may be a few more steps involved in removing them.
Step 3: Remove the Bulbs
The next step is to remove the bulbs from your tanning bed. This process usually requires un-screwing the bulbs from their bases and removing them.
Step 4: Vacuum the Dust
Once you have your bulbs removed, it’s a good idea to vacuum any dust or dirt particles in the machine. If there is dust on top of the bulbs themselves, do not attempt to wipe it off; you can just vacuum it!
You want to ensure that those dust particles aren’t blown into the air when you’re plugging the bulbs back in.
Step 5: Unscrew the Bulbs
After you’ve vacuumed and removed any dust, it’s time to unscrew your bulbs! Most tanning beds have the climate bulb as a separate unit from the face bulb. So avoid touching this bulb for the best results.
Step 6: Clean the Bulbs
You can use a mixture of water and baking soda to clean the bulbs. First, dry off your bulbs so any excess water won’t get to them. Next, mix 1 tsp of baking soda and a cup of warm water in a bowl or sink.
Using a brush or sponge or any damp cloth, scrub the face bulb thoroughly until it’s clean. If the climate bulb is dirty, this process may need to be repeated a few times.
If the face bulb is clean, but you notice dead skin cells on the climate bulb’s surface, use your dry brush or sponge and wipe it off.
Step 7: Scrub the Inside of the Bulb
Next, you want to scrub the inside of your bulbs with a mixture of vinegar and water. This mixture will remove any residue that could be harmful in the long run.
To do this, mix 8 Oz of vinegar with 1/2 gallon of water in a bowl or sink. Using your dry brush or sponge, use circular motions to clean both bulbs thoroughly.
Step 8: Wipe Down all Exposed Metal Parts
After you’ve cleaned your bulbs, wipe down the metal parts of your tanning bed. If the machine parts get exposed and don’t get touched by the bulbs, then these will accumulate dust or dirt over time, just like the rest of the residue.
Step 9: Allow the Bulbs to Dry
Once you’ve finished cleaning your tanning bed bulbs, they need to be allowed to dry before being completely reinstalled in your machine.
To do this, place the face bulb on a towel and leave it out for 24 hours after washing it with vinegar and water.
Make sure it doesn’t have any water sitting on top of the surface! Then, place the bulb in a bowl to soak for 24 hours. To avoid rusting or discoloration, do not allow the bulbs to mix.
Step 10: Reinstall the Bulbs
Now that you’ve cleaned and scrubbed your bulbs, they’re ready to be reinstalled! You need to make sure there are no water droplets on the lens before doing this. Otherwise, you could damage your bulbs.
After everything has been cleaned and dried, screw your bulbs back into place. For best results, slide a new bulb cover over the top to prevent dust particles from getting inside again.
How Often Should You Clean Your Tanning Bed Bulbs?
If you are a frequent tanned, the room is being used daily, and if 80% of the clients that use this facility typically leave with dark skin,
It is recommended that the bulbs be replaced every three months. However, if less frequent to moderate usage occurs, you can clean the bulbs for up to 6 months.
When cleaning the bulb, you should use a soft cloth that has been dampened with water or a solution designed for tanning bed bulbs when cleaning.
In addition to this, make sure that the area where you will clean the bulb is well ventilated and there is no other person in the room because exposure to UV rays of the tanning bed can cause harm.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Tanning Bed Bulbs Wear Out?
Yes, tanning bed bulbs do wear out over time. When used frequently, the light from a tanning bed can damage your skin. This can lead to skin cancer down the line. Over time, the light from the bulbs will start to produce less and less heat, which will make using the bed less effective. Eventually, the bulb will need to be replaced.
How Do I Know if My Tanning Bed Needs New Bulbs?
Tanning bed bulbs should be replaced every 6 months or when they start to emit a strange odor or color. The bulbs in a tanning bed generate heat that helps the user tan more quickly and evenly, but over time the heat may start to burn the skin. When the bulbs start to emit an unusual odor or color, it is likely that they are burning too brightly and need to be replaced. If you notice any of these signs, it is best to replace your tanning bed bulbs as soon as possible.
Are More Bulbs Better in a Tanning Bed?
The answer to this question is somewhat subjective, as different people may have different opinions on the matter. That said, there are some general Guidelines that might apply:
1. More bulbs mean more exposure to the tanning light, which is supposed to be better for tanning.
2. More bulbs also mean more heat being emitted from the tanning bed, which is supposed to be better for skin health.
3. More bulbs also mean a longer session time, which is supposed to be better for tanning results.
As with any other type of product or service, it is always important to do your research and talk to a professional before making a decision about whether or not to purchase more bulbs for your tanning bed.
Final Thoughts
Now that you know how to clean tanning bed bulbs, we hope your bulbs are shining bright and helping you achieve the best possible skin tone. If not, let us know so that we can help!
Thank you for reading! We also have other great resources on the site, Be sure to check back often as we’ll be adding more helpful tips and articles about led lights soon.