How to Wash and Keep Lampshades Clean
When was the last time you cleaned your lampshades? When was the last time it occurred to you to clean your lampshades? But they do it. Some lampshades are made of paper, others are made of fabric, and others are made of hard plastic, and cleaning them is probably not on your weekly to-do list (especially if you don’t know how to spot cleaning a fabric lampshade). They are unlikely to resist dirt, however, and at least can get quite dusty, so cleaning them is important to keep the light in your room bright. Here are the best ways to clean different types of lampshades and keep them clean for longer.
Dust the lampshades before deep cleaning.
No matter what kind of lampshade you have, it gets covered in dust just like any other surface in your home. But for fabric lampshades, ordinary rags do not cut them (and can rub the dust deeper into the fibers). For this reason, The Family Handyman recommends using a lint roller on your lampshade before attempting to clean it. The adhesive roller you usually use to remove pet hair and lint will work for a fabric lampshade as well. For plastic or glass shades, a damp cloth is an easy way to wipe off dust. If the lampshade is really dusty, vacuum it with a soft bristle brush to remove the dust before wiping it down or using a lint roller.
How to wash lampshades
Fabric and plastic lampshades can be placed directly in a bathtub or sink filled with cool water and mild detergent. For a white lampshade, use an oxygen bleach detergent for a brighter cleaning. Housewife How-Tos warns that lampshades should not be soaked in the bathtub; this may damage the fabric or affect the adhesives that hold it together. Instead, dip the shade and rub with a microfiber towel to remove dirt, then remove from the water and wipe the shade dry. Then, according to them, remove stubborn stains with a dry cleaning sponge.
Paper lampshades need more tender love and care than pouring into a bathtub can give. Wear gloves before working on these delicate shades to protect the shade paper from oils that can stain your skin. Secondly, since it is made of paper, water will not work; instead, gently wipe the shade with a dry microfiber cloth. The Merry Maids cleaning site notes an unusual method of cleaning the parchment hues – using a slice of white bread. Yes, go to the kitchen, grab a piece of bread and wipe down the parchment lampshade as if you were using a microfiber cloth. You will be surprised how effective it is at removing dust and dirt.
Dust the lampshades regularly
After the lampshade has been in a restoration bath or cleaned, you will want to wipe down the lampshade more regularly to prevent this build-up in the future. When you have done this, first turn off the lights and let the lampshade cool. Then wipe the curtain inside and out (or vacuum if necessary). The next time you tidy up your living room or bedroom, add lampshades to your cleaning list and enjoy your cleaner, better-lit room.