Do you wish to upgrade your room from being just neat to being truly clean? In order to get that real clean room, you need to focus on the stuff you usually don’t clean, including cleaning your lamp shade. Yes, clean lamp shades can actually accentuate the beauty of your room, leaving it looking more neat and tidy.
However, for most people, cleaning lamp shades is usually the very last thing in their cleaning schedules. However, lamp shades are among the household items that easily accumulate dirt and get grimy. In reality, you need to include cleaning of lamp shades in your regular cleaning schedule or at least once in every few cleaning routines.
Fortunately, lamp shades are some of the easiest things to clean. The cleaning process for each lamp shade is usually determined by factors such as the size, shape and material of the shade.
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In this article, we have researched the most effective methods for cleaning each type of lamp shade. Read on to find which cleaning methods is ideal for your specific type of lamp shade.
Fabric Lamp Shades
Due to the tough material used to make them, fabric lamp shades require the most time to clean. However, when these are cleaned, the payoff is usually worth all the time and effort. Before you go ahead with cleaning fabric lamp shades, remember to consult the manufacturer’s instructions and take into account any cleaners that you are recommended not to use.
Materials Needed:
Microfiber Cloth
Large Basin (Or bathtub)
Dishwashing Liquid
Soft Towel
The Process:
1. Unplug the lamp from the socket, then remove the shade.
2. Using a clean microfiber cloth, dust off all the dirt. (Alternatively, you can use a vacuum cleaner in place of the microfiber cloth).
3. Fill a large basin, or a bathtub with warm water. (The water level should be high enough to cover at least 50% of the whole lampshade structure.
4. Add several drops of dish washing liquid to the warm water.
5. Using your hands, churn the warm water so that the soap suds are activated. Add more dish wash soap if needed.
6. Dip your lampshade into the water-detergent solution. Since only part of the lamps will be soiled in the water, remember to rotate it so that all the sides get soiled and soaked in the water.
7. Allow each part of the lampshade to soak in the water for at least 10 minutes.
8. Dip a clean microfiber cloth into the frothy warm water, and wring off all excess water.
9. Using the damp cloth, wipe your lampshade, starting from the top to bottom.
10. Drain the large bucket/bathtub then refill it with clean, warm water.
11. Dip the lampshade into the clean warm water, allowing each part to rinse.
12. Drain the large bucket/bathtub, then shake off the lampshade to remove as much water as possible.
13. Using a clean soft towel (or a hairdryer with the lowest setting), dry out the lampshade. Alternatively, you could set it outside to dry naturally.
14. After the lampshade has completely dried, re-attach it carefully to the lamp base.
Plastic Lamp Shades
Plastic lamp shades are the easiest to clean. Their great ease of cleaning is due to the fact that plastic material is not as delicate as other types of materials, such as paper and fabric.
Materials Needed:
Three Dry Microfiber Cloths
Dishwashing Liquid
The Process
1. Unplug the lamp shade from the socket, and remove the shade.
2. Using a dry microfiber cloth, wipe off all the dust that has accumulated on the lampshade.
3. Add several drops of dish washing liquid to clean, warm water.
4. Dip a clean microfiber cloth into the soapy water solution, then wring off excess water.
5. Use the damp microfiber cloth to wipe the lampshade, working from top to bottom.
6. Allow the shade time to dry off completely.
7. After the lamp shade has completely dried, use a dry microfiber cloth to buff out any soap residues and streaks.
Paper and Parchment Lamp Shades
Paper and parchment lamp shades are usually designed with embellishments, glued seams and adhesives. Therefore, you should not wet or submerge these types of lamp shades in water, otherwise you risk corroding the adhesives.
Paper and parchment lamp shades require special treatment. You are recommended to wear gloves when cleaning these lamp shades to prevent possible staining of the lamp shades by the oil from your hands.
Materials Needed:
Dry Microfiber Cloth (or a dry piece of white bread)
A clean pair of gloves
The Process:
1. Unplug the lamp shade from the socket, then remove the shade.
2. Using a clean, dry microfiber cloth, wipe the lamp shade to remove all the dust.
3. As an alternative to the dry microfiber cloth, you can use a dry piece of white bread. Just like with a microfiber cloth, wipe off the dust on the lamp shade using the dry piece of white bread.
Cleaning Lamp Shades on a Routine Basis
Washing your lamp shades is very crucial for a neat and truly clean home. Therefore, to keep the lamp shades clean for a long time, you are encouraged to carry out routine lampshade maintenance.
Most lamp shades use the same routine lampshade maintenance, regardless of their size, shape and material. The following are the two main steps on how you can clean your lamp shades on a routine basis:
1) Turn off the lamp shade and allow it to cool.
2) Using a dry microfiber cloth, wipe down both the inside and the outside of the lamp shade.
Keeping lamp shades clean is very important; not only does it enhance the tidy appearance of the room but also ensures that these appliances last longer. What’s even better, cleaning lamp shades on a regular basis helps to improve their lighting efficiency.
Indeed, you have everything to gain and nothing to lose by regularly cleaning your lamp shades. So, follow the above simple tips on how to clean lamp shades, and enhance the lighting and tidiness of your house.
