How to Set Up the LIFX Clean A19

What's in the Box

Your LIFX Clean A19 (HEV) package includes the bulb and a quick-start card. The LIFX Clean is unique among smart bulbs because it includes HEV (High Energy Visible) light technology that can help reduce bacteria on surfaces when activated in its dedicated cleaning mode. During normal operation, it functions as a full-featured white and color smart bulb with an E26 base. No hub is required as it connects directly to your WiFi network.

Prerequisites

The LIFX Clean fits any standard E26 light socket. For maximum effectiveness of the HEV cleaning cycle, position the bulb in a fixture that provides direct line-of-sight exposure to the surfaces you want to sanitize, such as a bathroom vanity, kitchen pendant, or nursery ceiling light. The switch must remain on at all times for WiFi connectivity. Your WiFi router should broadcast on 2.4GHz. Download the LIFX app and create your LIFX account before installation. Note that the HEV cleaning cycle is designed to be used when the room is unoccupied.

Step-by-Step Setup

1. Turn off the light switch for your target fixture.
2. Screw the LIFX Clean A19 into the E26 socket until it's firmly seated.
3. Turn the switch back on. The bulb will power up and enter pairing mode.
4. Open the LIFX app and tap "Add Device" or the "+" icon.
5. Select the LIFX Clean from the discovered devices list.
6. Enter your 2.4GHz WiFi credentials to connect the bulb to your network.
7. Name the bulb based on its location, such as "Bathroom Clean" or "Kitchen HEV," and assign it to a room.
8. Test standard lighting by adjusting brightness, color, and white temperature through the app.
9. Locate the HEV Clean cycle in the LIFX app's bulb settings. Set a cleaning duration, which can range from one to twelve hours depending on the room size and desired exposure level.

Using the HEV Cleaning Feature

The HEV Clean cycle emits 405nm high-energy visible light, which has been shown to reduce certain bacteria on exposed surfaces over time. In the LIFX app, navigate to the bulb's settings and tap "Clean" to configure a cleaning cycle. Set the duration based on your needs: shorter cycles for daily maintenance and longer cycles for deeper cleaning. The HEV light appears as a violet-blue glow. Schedule cleaning cycles for times when the room is unoccupied, such as while you're at work or overnight in a bathroom. The app tracks your cleaning history so you can maintain a consistent routine. Note that HEV light is not UV light and is considered safe for brief incidental exposure, but prolonged direct eye exposure should be avoided.

Smart Home Integration Tips

The LIFX Clean works with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit for standard lighting control. Use voice commands to adjust brightness and color like any LIFX bulb. The HEV cleaning cycle can be automated through the LIFX app's scheduler, but for safety it's best managed through the LIFX app directly rather than voice commands. Create a morning routine that runs a cleaning cycle in the bathroom while you're at work, then switches to warm white lighting before you return home. IFTTT integration allows triggers like starting a clean cycle when everyone's phone leaves the home WiFi network.

Quick Troubleshooting

If the bulb doesn't appear in the LIFX app, confirm your phone is on 2.4GHz WiFi and reset the bulb by toggling power five times at one-second intervals. If the HEV clean cycle doesn't seem to activate, check that you've enabled it in the LIFX app's bulb settings rather than trying to trigger it through the standard color controls. The violet-blue HEV light is subtle and may be hard to see in a brightly lit room. If the bulb functions normally for lighting but the clean feature is unavailable, update the firmware through the LIFX app. For best cleaning results, keep the bulb and the surfaces you want to sanitize free of dust and obstructions that could block the HEV light.