The Most Effective Guide to Clean Lampshades which serve decorative and functional purposes, but tend to accumulate dust, hair, and others.
This comprehensive guide provides instructions on cleaning lampshades, including effective methods for removing dust and tackling stains or heavy soiling.
By following this guide, you can keep your lampshades dust-free and restore their cleanliness and appearance.
5 Methods for Dusting when Clean Lampshade
5 Methods for Dusting when Clean Lampshade.
Regular dusting is essential for lampshades to keep them clean and free from debris.
Here are five ways to effectively dust lampshades:
Duster: Use a feather or microfiber duster to gently remove dust, hair, and other particles from both the interior and exterior of the lampshade.
Start from the top and work your way down, ensuring the lampshade is dusted before cleaning the surface it rests on.
Vacuum with Upholstery Brush: Incorporate lampshade dusting into your regular vacuuming routine.
Utilize a soft upholstery brush attachment and a gentle touch to vacuum the shade, starting from the top and moving downwards. Avoid using this method on delicate fringe or extremely fragile lampshades.
Sticky Roller: Sticky rollers are useful for quickly removing buildup from lampshades, especially in households with pets.
Roll the sticky roller over the lampshade’s surface to collect dust, fur, and dander. However, avoid using sticky rollers on paper or highly delicate lampshades to prevent damage.
Paintbrush for Pleats: Cleaning pleated lampshades can be challenging due to their design.
Use a clean, soft-bristle paintbrush to gently dust the tight spaces between the pleats, ensuring thorough cleaning.
Hair Dryer: Set the hair dryer to its lowest heat and airflow settings to blow away dust from the lampshade.
This method is suitable for simple lampshades without embellishments. However, exercise caution and avoid using it on shades with glued-on decorations, as the heat can cause them to loosen.
By utilizing these methods, you can effectively remove dust and keep your lampshades clean and well-maintained.
How to Spot Treat Stains when Clean Lampshade
Spot-treating stains on lampshades is an effective method for cleaning fabric, paper, or fiber shades that cannot be submerged in water.
Here’s how to spot and treat stains when clean lampshades:
Remove Any Solids: Check the lampshade for any dried-on solids, and gently scrape them off using the edge of a butter knife or spoon.
Mix Detergent Solution: In a small bowl, combine lukewarm water with 1-2 drops of mild detergents, such as Dish Soap or liquid laundry detergent.
Apply Detergent to the Stain: Dip a light-colored cloth into the detergent solution, ensuring it is barely damp.
Gently dab at the stain without scrubbing, as scrubbing can damage the lampshade. Continue dabbing until the stain is gone.
Rinse the Shade: Rinse the light-colored cloth in Clean Water, wring it out, and use it to remove any detergent residue from the spot-treated area.
Allow the Shade to Dry: Let the lampshade air-dry naturally.
Alternatively, you can use a hair dryer on the lowest heat and airflow settings to speed up drying. Ensure the shade is completely dry before returning it to the lamp.
By following these steps, you can effectively spot-treat stains on lampshades, restoring their cleanliness and appearance.
How to Deeply Clean Lampshade
A deep clean lampshade using a mild detergent solution is suitable for plastic or glass lampshades.
However, fabric, paper, or fiber lampshades should not be submerged in water and should be professionally deep cleaned if necessary. Here’s how to deep clean a lampshade:
Dust the Shade: Use the dusting method mentioned earlier to remove loose dirt and debris from the lampshade.
Fill Tub: Fill a bathtub or a utility bucket with lukewarm water, enough to submerge at least half of the lampshade.
Add 1-2 teaspoons of mild detergent to the water and swirl it to dissolve.
Submerge the Shade: Place the lampshade in the detergent solution, ensuring that the top wire is not submerged in water.
Let it soak for 5-10 minutes.
Scrub the Shade: Using a light-colored cloth, gently scrub the lampshade to remove dirt and stains.
Be careful not to apply excessive pressure or scrub too vigorously.
Rinse the Shade: Drain the tub and rinse the cloth.
Gently wipe the lampshade with the rinsed cloth to remove any detergent residue, rinsing the cloth as needed.
Allow the Shade to Dry: After cleaning, gently wipe the lampshade with a clean towel to remove excess moisture.
Then, let the shade air dry completely. Alternatively, you can use a hair dryer on the lowest heat and airflow settings to speed up the drying process.
Ensure the shade is fully dry before placing it back on the lamp.
Note: Remember that deep cleaning is suitable only for plastic or glass lampshades.
Fabric, paper, or fiber lampshades should be handled differently or professionally cleaned if required.
*The information is for reference only.
