Cleaning lampshades is quite a delicate task that homeowners often forget until they find the lamps covered in dust. Whether you own fabric, parchment, pleated, or glass lampshade, all can look good as new if you clean them properly. So, let’s read the cleaning tips for all the lampshades individually to increase the lifespan of your lampshade.
How to Clean Fabric Lamp Shades?
You should use a soft brush and a vacuum cleaner to remove dirt from fabric lampshades made of sturdy material. And if the fabric of your shade is glued on, you can rinse it after dusting. Firstly, fill your tub with cold water and add a teaspoon of laundry detergent or liquid dish soap. Then, plunge the lampshade into that solution and swirl it to eliminate additional dirt.
While washing it, ensure you don’t soak it for long, as it can damage the adhesive holding the fabric in the shade. After washing, dab it dried with a towel and let it dry entirely before reinstalling it.
Also, for fragile fabric lampshades, use a paintbrush or clean lint roller and use lengthy, vertical motions to wipe off the dirt from top to bottom. Or, you can remove the stains or marks by gently wiping them with a separate sponge for dry cleaning.
Also Read:- The Best Home Lighting Repair Service In NY
How To Clean Paper Lamp Shades?
Parchment and paper lampshades are easily soiled by oily hands or lotion residue. So, wearing rubber or cotton gloves is essential to help prevent stains. In addition to daily dusting, remove the paper lampshade from its base and gently clean it from top to bottom with a dry, clean microfiber cloth. While dusting, keep your hand moving to a clean cloth area as the dirt is transferred.
If there are any stains or insect specks, rub them away using an art gum eraser. Always use your hand or light touch to support the lampshade to prevent dents.
How To Clean Plastic Lamp Shades?
Cleaning plastic lampshades is easy because plastic is less delicate than paper or fabric. You just have to unplug the lamp, detach the shade, and clean it using a vacuum cleaner attachment or wipe it with a dry microfiber cloth.
Also, you can make a solution by pouring a few drops of light dishwashing liquid into hot water and dampening a microfiber cloth in that solution. Just wipe the lampshade gently to clean it and place it in an appropriate area for drying.
How To Clean Glass Lamp Shades?
If your glass lampshades are not hand painted, glued, or gilt-on embellishments, you can clean and wash them in dishwater. Furthermore, you don’t have to clean lampshades separately from other dishes. However, ensure you don’t clean them along with the machines.
But in case your place doesn’t have a dishwasher, you can clean the lampshade in hot, soapy water. Moreover, if the shade seems greasy, add some vinegar, wash it with water, and directly place it to hand dry.
How To Fix A Lamp Shade?
Other than dusting, lampshades also require timely maintenance. Frequent light heat from the bulb causes the cut around the shade’s edges. And the damaged parts seem to separate or fall off. In addition, the lampshade’s incidental bumping can give it a permanent dent even after pushing it back to its shape. These issues with lampshades can make them weak if not repaired timely, so let’s go through several steps to fix them.
- Use a duster to remove dust and cobwebs to wipe the lampshade thoroughly. If the shade is dirty or pleated, clean it with a vacuum cleaner’s hose attachment. Also, you can use fabric brushes to reach ridges and shade folds.
- Check the lampshade thoroughly for dents. And if dents or marks are visible, add water to the steam iron and turn it on to a steam setting. Hold it over the marked area without touching it, and apply steam for a few seconds in a particular area. Use your other hand to push the dented or marked area back to its original place.
- Pick a water spray bottle to mist the non-responsive dent gently. Use a steamy hair dryer to warm the place while your hands push the dent out. Keep moving the hair dryer to avoid burning a lampshade.
Examine all trimmed or cut areas of the lamp shade, including the seam, and also look for areas that have come unglued. Use glue to tighten and strengthen the loose areas.
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Frequently Asked Questions
You should only wash and clean glass lampshades in the dishwater. In addition, it is suggested to place the glass lampshade in the upper rack of the dishwasher. And use vinegar in place of detergent while washing the lampshade. For other lampshades, such as paper, plastic, fabric, or parchment lamps, you should avoid cleaning them in the dishwasher.
It is vital to do the daily cleaning of your lampshade, so it looks new every time. Your first step toward cleaning the lamps should be turning off the light and letting your lampshade get completely cool. You can clean fabric lampshades using a vacuum’s upholstery brush extension or a clean paintbrush. And run lint over the lampshade to remove dirt while cleaning paper or parchment lampshades. Moreover, wipe the glass or plastic lampshade with a lightly wet cloth.
The frequency of cleaning lampshades depends on the place it has been placed. Lampshades in moist places like the bathroom are prone to dirt accumulation that sets on the shades over time. So, comparatively, you need them more often.
