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How to care for your switches and power points

How to care for your switches and power points

Find tips to clean and maintain your light switches and power points.

As a homeowner, it’s important to have a basic understanding on how to safely clean your switches and power points. By knowing what cleaning materials to use and how to apply them, you’ll prevent any damage to these important surfaces.

Keep reading to find our cleaning tips and product options you could consider. We’ll also share tips on how to care for our PDL Iconic Range of light switches and power points, including Iconic Essence and Styl.

PDL Iconic flush switch vertical mount installed on a wall

Tip: Avoid chemical sprays

It is recommended that you never use formulas like chemical sprays. Plastic materials used in your switches and power points can become damaged when exposed to elements in from sprays. This may cause your device to fail over time.

For instance, liquid from sprays can enter gaps in the surface and cause issues. Chemical sprays can also cause stress cracking and discolouring of your switches and power points.

PDL Iconic double power point with horizontal mount installed on a bathroom wall

What you should use instead of chemical sprays

You can use a water dampened cloth, wring out the cloth so it is damp, not wet, then use it to clean your switches and power points.

Modern PDL Iconic 1-gang flush switch mounted vertically on a wall

How to clean PDL Iconic range covers

If you have the PDL Iconic range of switches and power points, cleaning them is very easy. Simply follow the below steps:

  1. Remove the cover and wash it thoroughly with a water dampened cloth, do not submerge in water.
  2. Scrub lightly with a sponge scourer to remove any stubborn marks.
  3. When the cover is completely dry, you can attach it back onto the wall plate.

If you have PDL Iconic Styl or Essence installed, keep reading to see specific cleaning tips.

A hand holding a PDL Iconic styl vertical/horizontal switch with 3 gangs, providing controls for lighting or other electrical devices

Caring for Iconic Styl

With Iconic Styl, you will need to take a slightly different approach when it comes to cleaning.

As it is made from anodised aluminium, you should not use sponge scourer or any abrasives to remove marks, as this may damage the metallic appearance of the skin. Instead, you should use a water dampened cloth, do not submerge in water.

PDL Iconic Essence switch in arctic white supporting 3 gangs with pictograms

Cleaning Iconic Essence

For Iconic Essence, it is not recommended to submerge these covers in water, as it may damage the timber detailing edges.

Instead, we recommend you use a sponge or soft cloth mixed with warm water for cleaning.

Additionally, using abrasives on the timber is discouraged as it may remove the lacquer seal and damage the appearance. They may also affect future ability for the product to resist staining.

Man with a basket of clothes heading towards the laundry room

Other Options to Consider for Switches and Power Points

If you are considering other options that eliminates the need for you to regularly touch switches and power points — and thus reduce the amount of cleaning and maintenance required — then we have a few options for you:

  1. Indoor and outdoor motion sensors are a good investment as they provide you with a hands-free way to operate lights.
  2. Motion sensors are ideal for commonly used areas such as pantries, walk-in robes, staircases, garages, laundries, driveways and verandas where they are activated by your presence.

Keep switches and power points hands-free with smart home tech

Alternatively, you can take hands-free to the next level and use smart home automation. With smart home automation, you can control your lighting via a smart device (smartphone or tablet) or set timers and time schedules to control your lights automatically.

PDL’s Wiser Smart Home Automation range is a great place to start with smart home tech: it doesn’t require any special wiring, integrates with third-party devices/appliances, and is easy to install and expand.

To learn more about Wiser Smart Home, visit our Wiser landing page below.

Explore PDL Wiser smart home


See how PDL Wiser could transform life at your place with clever smart home features.