Home Cleaning Cleaning How-Tos 3 Easy Methods for Cleaning Lampshades No matter the material, your lampshade will look brand new with these cleaning tips. By Mary Marlowe Leverette Mary Marlowe Leverette Mary Marlowe Leverette has over four decades of experience and has been writing and consulting for more than 20 years sharing her knowledge on efficient housekeeping, stain removal methods, and textile conservation. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Published on May 06, 2024 In This Article View All In This Article Fabric Lampshades Paper Lampshades Glass and Plastic Lampshades How Often to Clean Lampshades Close Photo: FollowTheFlow/Getty Images Project Overview Skill Level: Beginner The right lampshade on the right lamp base in just the right spot makes a design statement in a room unless it's covered with fuzzy dust, cobwebs, and insect specks. Plus, a dirty lampshade affects the light levels in the room, especially task lighting. Fortunately, with some basic supplies, you can clean fabric, paper, plastic, and glass lampshades in just a few steps. 'Layered Lighting' Is the Game-Changing Decor Trick Designers Swear By To quickly dust a fabric or paper shade, use a hair dryer set on no or low heat to blow the dust away. Hold the dryer at least 8 inches from the shade to prevent damage to any attached trim. What You'll Need Equipment / Tools Hair dryer Lint roller New, soft-bristled paintbrush Vacuum with an upholstery brush Art gum eraser Microfiber cloths Large sink or bathtub Clothes hanger with skirt clips Materials Disposable duster Dishwashing liquid Gentle laundry detergent Instructions How to Clean Fabric Lampshades When a fabric shade needs more than dusting, it can be gently washed. If possible, remove embellishments like beaded trim or tassels that have been glued or sewed onto the fabric that may not hold up well during washing. Get Rid of the Dust Turn off the lamp and remove the shade. Use a microfiber cloth, disposable duster, lint roller, or vacuum upholstery attachment to gently remove the dust from the inside and outside of the shade. Do not apply excessive pressure to the fabric to prevent tears. A clean, soft-bristled paintbrush is the perfect tool to remove dust from the crevices of a pleated shade. Mix a Lampshade Bath In a clean large sink, plastic container, or bathtub, add enough lukewarm water to cover at least half of the height of the lampshade. Add two teaspoons of gentle detergent like Woolite or liquid Castile soap and stir well to mix the solution. Pretreat Stains Areas with insect stains, food spatters, or yellow discoloration should be pretreated to help remove the stains. Place a tablespoon (or more if there are multiple stains) in a small bowl and add enough warm water to form a paste. Apply the paste to the stained areas with a clean microfiber cloth. Apply gentle pressure rubbing in small circles. Let the shade sit for 15 minutes and proceed with the cleaning. Wash the Lampshade Hold the lampshade by the top wire supports and lower it into soapy water. Let the submerged portion soak for 10 minutes. Turn or rotate the shade as needed every 10 minutes so that every surface soaks equally. After soaking, dip a microfiber cloth in the solution and gently wipe down the lampshade from top to bottom on the inside and outside. Rinse, Dry, and Shine Once the lampshade is clean, remove it from the soapy water. Refill the container with clean, cool water. Gently swish the lampshade through the rinse water making sure that all surfaces are submerged. Remove the lampshade, drain the water, and refill for a second rinse. If there are still suds, keep repeating with fresh water until no more suds appear.Lift out the lampshade and gently shake it to remove as much water as possible. Spread a thick bath towel on a flat surface and place the lampshade upright on the towel to dry. You can also hang the shade by using a skirt hanger with adjustable clips and allow it to drip dry.When the shade is completely dry (can take up to 24 hours), reattach any embellishments you removed and place the shade back on the lamp. 3 Indoor Lighting Mistakes You Didn't Know You Were Making How to Clean Paper Lampshades Washing paper lampshades won't work but there are ways to clean and brighten them. Remove the shade and dust it well. Dip a clean microfiber cloth in water and wring it well until it is not dripping. Starting at the top, apply gentle pressure as you wipe down the outside and inside of the shade. Keep moving to a clean area of the cloth as the dirt is transferred from the shade. Set the shade upright on a bath towel and allow it to air dry. If stains like insect specks remain, use an art gum eraser to gently rub them away. Be sure to support the other side of the paper with your hand while you "erase" soil to prevent dents. How to Clean Glass and Plastic Lampshades The safest method for cleaning glass and plastic lampshades is to handwash them in some warm water with a few drops of dishwashing liquid. Use a dishcloth and no harsh scrubbing or any printed designs may disappear. Rinse well and dry immediately with a microfiber cloth to prevent streaks and water spots. Be sure the lampshade is completely cool before you plunge it into the soapy water or it may crack! How Often to Clean Lampshades Lampshades (and lamp bases) should be dusted weekly to remove dust and spiderwebs. Evaluate each shade at least four times per year to determine when it needs a deep clean. Deeper cleaning frequency depends on the air quality in your home and where the lamp is located. Airborne grease, cigarette tar, fireplace smoke and ash, and excessive dust can do a number on a lampshade. 7 Places in Your Home You're Probably Forgetting to Clean