Michigan State University Extension
Home Maintenance And Repair - 01500622
06/24/03
Cleaning Lamp Shades
Basic cleaning of shades: use a clean soft cloth or a
vacuum brush to dust the lampshade inside and outside.
Take off any non-washable trim. If the cloth is glued to
the frame, sew it on with thread of the same color. Then
you will be able to wash it over and over again without
any trouble.
Fill a deep washtub or bathtub with enough warm water
to cover the shade. Add detergent and swish up thick suds.
Use a mild detergent, as a hand dishwashing liquid.
Fabric Shade
Use suds on a soft brush to rub any spots lightly.
Then dip the shade up and down. When the water gets dirty,
change to clean sudsy water. Wash the shade a second time.
to rinse the shade, dip it up and down through two or
three changes of clean water. Don't worry if the cloth
stretches and sags while it is wet. It will tighten up for
a snug fit when it gets dry.
To dry a fabric shade, tie a string to the middle of
the frame. Then hang it over the bathtub or hang it from
a clothesline outdoors to drip dry. Or you can wipe the
shade with a bath towel until it is almost dry. Then put
it back on the lamp and turn on the light so the heat
from the bulb will help it to finish drying. If the
lampshade has ruffles, "press" them with your finger.
Plastic, Plastic Coated, Laminated, Parchment, or
Fiberglass shade.
Put one fourth cup of mild detergent into a bowl. Add
just enough warm water to make it wet. Whip this mixture
with a whip or electric mixer to make stiff "dry" suds
that look like whipped cream. Put some of the thick suds
on a cloth or sponge. Use this to wash the shade, inside
and outside. If the binding around the edge is glued on,
don't rub it or let it get very wet. Rinse the shade right
away by going over it with a clean damp cloth. Then wipe
it dry.
Don't forget to clean the reflector bowl if the lamp
has one before replacing the shade. Never use any abrasive
cleaner like common scouring powders, no abrasive pads.
This article was written by Anne Field, Extension
Specialist, Emeritus.
This information is for educational purposes only. References
to commercial products or trade names does not imply
endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not
mentioned. This information becomes public property upon
publication and may be printed verbatim with credit to MSU
Extension. Reprinting cannot be used to endorse or advertise
a commercial product or company.
MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer. Michigan State
University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race,
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Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in
cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Thomas G. Coon, Director,
MSU Extension, East Lansing,MI 48824. This information is for educational
purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply
endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned.
This file was generated from data base 02 on 02/04/08.
Data base 02 was last revised on 06/24/03.
For more information about this data base or its contents please contact
strausc@msu.edu .