How to Clean White Lamp Shades

Keep your white lampshades clean.

A white lampshade offers simple shading for a lamp without detracting from its style with bright colors and patterns. While elegant in appearance, a simple white lampshade can be marred when it accumulates and shows dust and lint. Keep your white lampshades pristinely clean with regular attention. As you dust the rest of your home, don't forget to clean your white lampshades to make sure that they consistently complement and reflect your home's decor.

Things You'll Need

• Lint brush
• Vacuum cleaner (with brush attachment)
• Dry cleaning sponge

Instructions

1. Wipe down the surfaces of the lampshade with a lint brush once or twice each week. Firmly pass the lint brush over every surface of the lampshade to capture and remove any lint and dust.

2. Vacuum the lampshade with the brush attachment of the vacuum cleaner at least twice per month. Remove the lampshade from the lamp, if necessary, to ensure you can reach all nooks and crannies of the lampshade, including both outside and inside edges. Pay special attention to pleats and tucks in fabric, vacuuming these areas well.

3. Open the dry cleaning sponge and squeeze it gently in your hand to activate the solvent cleaners inside. Wipe the sponge gently over the surfaces of the lampshade to remove any stains and ingrained dirt. Continue rubbing the lampshade with the sponge until the dirt and stains are fully removed. Repeat this cleaning process whenever you see unsightly stains on your lampshades.

Tips & Warnings

• Resist the urge to wash your white lampshades with water. This method will usually result in water stains on the lampshades.

References

• The Lamp Shade Shop: Cleaning Your Lamp Shade
• Country Living: Tips for Cleaning

Resources

• Restoration Hardware: Lamp Shade Cleaner