There are several methods to clean insulators.

• Hand clean- De-Energized The insulator is cleaned using a hand brush.  This is done de-energized.
• Hand clean Energized – A cleaning brush is attached ot a hotstick and the insulator is cleaned by hand.  This is typically only done for vented lightning arresters or in areas when wet/dry cleaning are not possible.
  
• Wet clean -  This can be done energized or de-energized using a high pressure insulator washer.
• Dry clean -  Can be done energized or de-energized using a dry washer.