How to Clean Lampshades
When you organize cleaning chores, you make your own life much easier and award yourself more free time. Designate an "official" lamp cleaning day each month. You could clean more often, but once a month is usually sufficient. Scheduled cleaning makes it simpler to keep your lamps in pristine condition, and that means less work in the long run. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Vacuum cleaner and small brush or blind attachment
- White cotton cleaning cloths
- Glass cleaner
- Q-tips
Instructions
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Generally, fabric and paper lampshades can be cleaned with a vacuum, using one of the small attachments that come with most vacuum cleaners. The brush or blind attachment will dislodge dust particles and dispose of them without dust settling everywhere else. Gently vacuum-brush the lampshade, starting from the top and moving downward and systematically all the way around the lampshade. Do not vacuum lampshade fringe, as it can easily be sucked into the attachment. Instead, clean the fringe with a soft cloth, using your hand as a backing for the fringe so that it will hold steady as you clean. Do not use a moist cloth on fabric or paper lampshades because it may leave stains.
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A vacuum cleaner brush or blind attachment will also do the job when cleaning pleated or accordion-style fabric or paper lampshades like this one. Q-tips work well to dislodge dust that settles in tight spaces between the pleats. With a Q-tip in hand, start at the top of each pleat space, and take it downward. Check the Q-tips as you go along, replacing them as they show dirt. This method of cleaning contains the dust and gets the job done easily and efficiently, even though it is a little more time consuming.
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Clean lampshades made from a combination of materials, like this glass and metal lamp, in two stages. Wipe the metal frame with a very lightly water-dampened soft cloth. That removes surface dust. Next, clean the glass panels using a cotton cloth sprayed with a glass cleaner. Metal can rust, so be careful not to leave water residue on it. If the surface is moist, wipe it dry.
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Clean glass and crystal lamps using a soft, cotton cleaning cloth sprayed with a glass cleaner. It is better to spray the cleaner on the cloth and then apply the cloth to the glass or crystal instead of spraying the cleaner directly onto the glass or crystal. Often too much cleaner is used unnecessarily when it is sprayed directly onto surfaces. There is also a danger of getting cleaner on the bulb or other electrical parts of the lamp, which you should avoid.
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Clean the lamp cords with a soft, dry cloth to remove any surface dust or dirt. Fold the cloth in two like a closed book and place the cord between the fold, then move the cloth along the entire length of the cord, guiding it with your fingers. Do not use wet or moist cloths on lamp cords or plugs.
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Tips & Warnings
Use only white cotton cleaning cloths as a general rule. They are durable and do not leave lint or color stains. After the cleaning is completed, soak the cloths in warm, soapy water, rinse and dry. Unless they are very badly soiled, you can reuse them, and they will maintain their quality--that is one of the advantages of cotton.
Be sure that all lamps are switched off before you clean. Never apply a damp cloth to any lighting fixture when it is switched on. If the lampshade is very dusty and needs a lot of work, detach it from the lamp base before you clean.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Maureen Katemopoulos
