By Adam Reeder, President at LightArt & VP at 3form
When designers think about lighting, the first question they typically ask themselves is, “How does it look?” and, “How does it illuminate the space”?
For much of my career, cleanability was a footnote in lighting conversations and typically an afterthought, not something designers sought out when specifying products. Instead, the focus was on form, function, output, and ambiance. Rarely did someone ask, “How easy is it to clean?” But that’s changing. Today, cleanability has become a priority, especially in spaces like healthcare, hospitality, and education. Once a fixture is installed, it’s judged not just on how it looks but how well it holds up over time.
For over 13 years, our team at LightArt has built our own cleanability and durability standards. We championed this because we knew long-term performance mattered. And cleanability, often overlooked, is a huge part of that story.
Resin as a Solution for Cleanability
Metal, glass, fabric, and ceramics are commonly used in traditional lighting for their durability and ability to provide both function and visual interest. However, they can be difficult to clean and are prone to scratching, cracking, or staining from harsh cleaners.
Many specifiers assume that prioritizing cleanability means sacrificing aesthetics or compromising design intent. Resin offers a compelling alternative—lightweight, highly formable, and cost-effective—while still allowing for striking, design-forward solutions. Resin is impact-resistant and less fragile than glass, making it safer to clean and maintain. The material is also chemical-resistant, meaning the same cleaners used in other spaces can be applied directly to the fixture, making resin-made fixtures easier to clean. The best part? Resin will not warp or fade over time, pushing the boundaries of what it means to be durable and long-lasting. We often use resin to encapsulate thin-gauge textiles or fabric-like textures, giving the visual softness of fabric, but with the resilience of a solid surface. It looks delicate, but it’s not, and allows us to deliver backlit, warm, translucent forms that hold their integrity over time.
Even our felt products, made from woven PET, are designed to be easily maintainable. These products can be simply dusted or lightly vacuumed; no cleaners required. See image above.
Material Storytelling Rooted in Performance
LightArt was born from material innovation. Our foundation in material science, through our connection to 3form, has always informed how we think about lighting. From high-gloss matte to textural finishes, our goal is to design with aesthetics and lifespan in mind.
Sustainable and recycled materials are also alternatives that can be repurposed and transformed into easy-to-clean lighting fixtures. For example, several of LightArt’s fixtures are made using 3form’s Varia material, a 40% pre-consumer recycled PETG that holds a Red List Declare Label, an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD), and a Greenguard Gold certification. The material is just as durable and chemical-resistant as traditional resin. See image below.
Performance Testing, Quality Assurance
Lighting fixtures undergo their own set of tests before they’re released to the market. Two standard certifications, the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) and Underwriters Laboratories (UL), affirm that the lighting fixture meets specific fire and safety, as well as electrical and performance standards, and therefore complies with the general code and compliance requirements.
As cleaning protocols grow more rigorous across the commercial sector, lighting and material manufacturers, like ourselves, have started to conduct independent quality testing, certifying that their products are durable, safe, and easily cleanable. Long before cleanability became a buzzword in post-pandemic design, we created our own internal standards at LightArt, which include rigorous performance testing for abrasion, chemical resistance, and impact durability, to ensure our products meet the demands of real-world environments. We weren’t waiting for an industry standard. We built our own.
The additional testing helps to remove any doubt on the purchaser’s end, providing clear and unambiguous quality assurance that the fixture is designed and certified to withstand the test of time.
Designing Fixtures Meant to Last
The best compliment a lighting fixture can receive after installation is silence. This means no maintenance calls, no yellowing, cracking, or dust collecting inside. The fixture just works, and that takes intentional design.
At LightArt, we design fully enclosed lighting fixtures that stay sealed. It’s an aesthetic and functional choice because when a fixture is suspended high above an open kitchen or in a hospital room, it likely won’t be cleaned weekly. When it is cleaned, it shouldn’t require special tools or delicate handling. It should be easy for a facilities team to handle the maintenance of these fixtures with the cleaners they already have.
About the Author:
Adam Reeder was promoted to President of LightArt on January 1, 2023. He has been in the industry since 2005, starting his career at 3form, LightArt’s parent company, where he advanced through various roles, including Project Manager, Material Consultant and International Business Manager. In 2016, he joined LightArt as VP of Sales and Customer Service, became VP of LightArt in 2021, and then President in 2023. In 2024, he was promoted to 3form Vice President & President of LightArt. Reeder holds a degree from the University of Utah and an MBA from Westminster University, bringing extensive experience and leadership in the A&D industry.
Image: Acoustic Dial by LightArt available in 30 shades of PET Sola Felt, Courtesy of LightArt
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