How to Clean a Lamp Chimney

Oil Lamp

Oil lamps are beautiful additions to many types of decor and are also useful to have in emergencies when electrical power is out. An oil lamp has a chimney that protects the flame from moving air and contains the flame from flammable surroundings. The disadvantage of using oil lamps is that there is significant smoke and soot associated with burning them. Soot build-up is especially problematic in the lamp chimney. Prevent unsightly soot by cleaning the lamp chimney each time you use it.

Things You'll Need

• Lamp chimney
• Bath towel
• Kitchen sink
• Glass cleaner
• Cleaning rags
• Lamp chimney cleaner

Instructions

1. Make sure that the lamp chimney is completely cool before attempting to clean it.

2. Lay a bath towel into a sink and spread it out to line the inside of the sink. This will cushion the sink in case you accidentally knock or drop the lamp chimney while you are cleaning it in the sink.

3. Pull the lamp chimney firmly up and out the metal brackets that hold it in the lamp.

4. Hold the lamp chimney carefully over the sink and spray the inside of the chimney with window cleaner. Let the chimney sit in the sink to soak for several minutes.

5. Rinse the lamp chimney thoroughly with warm water.

6. Use a lamp chimney cleaner if dirt and soot remain after rinsing. A lamp chimney cleaner is a ball attached to a long stick. Place a cleaning rag over the ball and insert the tool up into the lamp chimney to clean all of the inner surfaces. Rub the sides of the chimney cleaner up and down until the lamp chimney is free of soot inside.

7. Allow the lamp chimney to dry completely before replacing it in the lamp.

References

• Lamp Chimney Cleaner