How to clean lampshades of any type

How to clean lampshades or shades, whether they are paper, fabric, glass, plastic or even corrugated. Get rid of dust, dirt and stains with our tips.

Dirty hands, house dust and pet hair make lampshades dirty. Cleaning them is one of those tasks that transform your home from tidy to truly clean.

The fact is that lamps are the decorations of your room: if they are clean, they will enhance its beauty, but if they are in bad condition, they will make it visually unkempt. And just like jewelry, good light fixtures and their decoration are not cheap.

Generally, lampshades cost more than the lamp that goes in them, so use the right method to clean them depending on the type of material. Turn off the light a few minutes before you are going to clean the lampshade to let it cool down completely to room temperature.

How to clean fabric lampshades

If the fabric material is sturdy, you can use a vacuum cleaner and a soft brush attachment to dust the lampshades. If the fabric is bonded, you can rinse it after dusting. Do this in a sink of cold water with a teaspoon of liquid dishwashing detergent or laundry detergent. Submerge the lampshade in the water and spin it to remove dirt. Work quickly and don’t let it get wet or you may damage the glue that holds the fabric in place. Rinse thoroughly, using only cold water, and blot with a towel. Allow the lampshade to dry completely before putting it back in place.

For lampshades made of fine fabric, use a clean wool roller or brush and sweep the dust from top to bottom in long, vertical strokes. Brushes work especially well for pleated fabric lampshades. Remove stains by gently scrubbing with a special dry cleaning sponge.

How to clean paper or parchment lampshades

Paper or parchment lampshades cannot be washed, so they should be wiped well with a dry microfiber cloth.

Remove grease stains by pressing a piece of crustless white bread against the stain. Turn the bread over to the clean spot, then blot until the stain is gone. (Sounds crazy, but it works!)

How to clean plastic or fiberglass plafonds

Remove the plafond and wipe inside and outside with a damp microfiber cloth.

Wash plastic plafonds in a sink or bowl of warm water with a little dishwashing liquid. If there is grease buildup on the plafond, add white vinegar to the water. Rinse well and dry.

How to clean glass lamps

Glass lamps can be washed in the dishwasher on the top shelf as long as they are not hand-painted, gilded or glued on. They don’t need to be washed separately from other dishes, but you don’t want to overload the machine either.

If you don’t have a dishwasher, wash glass placemats in the sink with warm, soapy water. Add white vinegar to the water if there is grease buildup, then rinse and wipe dry.

And in general, you shouldn’t waste your time with boring cleaning. It is better to leave a request on our website and wait for our professional cleaners to do everything for you. Cleaning in Calgary is the best solution for the cleanliness of your home or office. 

June 19 2024