Care and Cleaning of Lampshades

How to Care for and Clean Lampshades at Home

General Care of your lampshade:

Ensure your shade is not too heavy or too large for your lamp base thus making it unstable
and prone to damage.
Ensure your table lamp is positioned so that it cannot easily be knocked over.
Do not exceed the bulb wattage recommended by the shade manufacturer, a label
should be attached.
Avoid placing fabric or paper shades in direct sunlight as the colours will fade.
Avoid denting hard shades (those lined in plastic), as the dent will often be impossible
to remove.
Ensure your fabric shade does not come into contact with liquids or sharp objects.
Remove any hanging pendant shades before moving or re-arranging large furniture
to avoid damage.
Do not allow your shade to become too dirty before you clean it; regular routine
cleaning is more successful than remedial cleaning.

Regular cleaning of your lampshade will:

Improve its appearance
Ensure maximum light passes through
Prolong its life.

Quick Tips

For a table lamp with paper or fabric shade it is often easier to leave the shade fixed
to its base when cleaning.
For a hanging pendant shade, standard lamp shade, glass shade or wall light shade
it will usually be easier to remove from its fitting.
In all cases it is important to switch off all power to the lamp before removing or cleaning.

Depending on the material your shade is made from there are various ways of cleaning it.
Here I cover the cleaning of paper lampshades, fabric lampshades and glass lampshades:

How to clean paper lampshades

Paper shades should be regularly dusted using a soft bristled brush (I use a large headed
artists’ brush).
Working in sections from the top to the bottom of the shade, use long sweeping movements
to remove the dust, before rotating the shade and repeating.
If the shade has any form of stitching or embellishment take care not to brush too vigorously
to avoid snagging.
Never use water to clean the outer surface of a paper shade.
If your shade has been backed with a plastic liner use a soft cloth to wipe the inner surface,
it can get very dirty.
If your shade has a digitally printed image refer to the manufacturer’s instructions
to avoid damage to its surface.
Wipe the dust from the light bulb and wire fittings before re-assembling.

How to clean fabric lampshades

Most fabric shades should be regularly dusted using a soft bristled brush (I use a large
headed artists’ brush). Working in sections from the top to the bottom of the shade, use
long sweeping movements to remove the dust, before rotating the shade and repeating.
If the shade is very large the soft brush attachment on a domestic vacuum cleaner may be
used at its lowest suction setting. It is important to check that the bristles are clean and not
too stiff so as not to mark the surface of the fabric. If in doubt attach a piece of fine gauze
over the end of the hose and use that to gently life off the dust.
Care should be taken to avoid snagging any trimmings, fringing etc. If these are very dusty
use a hairdryer on its cold setting to blow the dust away.
The lining fabric of soft tailored shades will benefit from dusting with the soft bristled brush
used on the outer surface.
Hard shades with a plastic liner will need their inner surface wiped with a soft cloth
to remove the build up of grime.
Do not use water to clean the fabric surface of a hard shade with a plastic lining as
it will leave tide marks and do not immerse it in water as it will fall apart!
Badly soiled soft-tailored shades that have been stitched may be washed in a bath of
warm, soapy water by holding onto the wire frame at the centre fitting and dunking. Rinse
in a bath of fresh water until no suds are left. Hang to dry by attaching a length of
fabric to the frame fitting. It is important to remove all trimmings before washing and
bear in mind they may need replacing.
If your shade fabric has been glued or taped to its frame do not immerse in water
Wipe the dust from the light bulb and wire fittings before re-assembling.

How to clean glass lampshades

Glass shades should be regularly dusted with a soft lint-free cloth.
From time to time remove the shades from their fittings and using a damp soapy cloth
carefully wipe over the surfaces of the shades, both inside and out.
Care should be taken if there is any sort of pattern as excess water or rubbing may
damage transfers or hand-painted surfaces.
A wipe with a clean damp cloth will remove traces of soap and a final wipe with a soft,
dry cloth will leave it smear free.
Wipe the dust from the light bulb and wire fittings before re-assembling.