How To Clean Fabric Lamp Shades The Right Way

Fabric lampshades make beautiful accents in a room. With their light and stylish fabrics, they add texture and depth to spaces. Have you been cleaning your fabric lampshades regularly? If your answer is no, this article is for you.

It is never too late to learn how to clean fabric lampshades. We are here to help you.

Before Cleaning Your Lampshades

Cleaning lampshades regularly preserve their original glory. Here are essential things that you should consider before starting the job.

• Seek services of a professional cleaner for embroidered, silk, and heavily-beaded lampshades. Do the same for antique and other valuable lampshades.
• Be aware of your lampshade’s fitting, trims, beading, and other ornaments.
• Avoid creasing, staining, tearing, and denting that may lead to further damage.
• Take your time when cleaning lampshades.
• Read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions or care tags on maintenance. Take note of any cleaning product that you should avoid.

Cleaning Process

How do you clean lamp shades properly? Follow these instructions on removing dust and light and stubborn stains from your lampshade.

Removing Dust And Dirt

Before starting any cleaning procedure, make sure that you unplug the lamp and remove it from the lamp base. To remove dust and loose dirt in and out the lampshade, you may opt to do any of the following:

1. Use a microfiber cloth to wipe your lampshade in sections.
   
2. For pleated lampshades, you can use a soft paintbrush. Remember to brush along the pleats to get rid of dust.
   
3. Use a hairdryer to remove dust and trapped hair in trimmings. Set the hairdryer at full speed, and with a cool setting. Hold the device ten inches away from the lampshade to avoid damage.
   
4. For lampshades with durable fabric, use a vacuum cleaner with an upholstery attachment. Put a stocking over the end of your vacuum attachment to protect your lampshade.
   
5. Lightly use a lint roller across your lampshade. Avoid pressing too hard to avoid any damage.

Removing Stains

To remove stains from your lampshade, unplug the lamp and remove lampshade from its base. Also, remove ay non-washable parts.

Make sure you clean the whole lampshade rather than spot-cleaning. The latter will cause water stains that will not look good on your fixture.

To remove light stains, mix cool water and a delicate fabric detergent in a bowl. Churn the mixture with your hands to create soap suds.

Then, using a microfiber cloth, apply the soap suds onto the lampshade and gently wipe each section. Make sure you cover the whole lampshade.

Gently rinse off the soap suds and wipe the lampshade dry.

For stubborn stains, you will need to fully submerge your lampshade into a mixture of water and fabric detergent in a tub. Soak the lampshade for a few minutes. Then, gently scrub the lampshade with a sponge in an up and down movement. Use a soft brush on problem areas.

When the stains are removed, empty the tub and refill it with clean water. Rinse the lampshade carefully. Tap the lampshade gently to shake off moisture. Then, air-dry it in a well-ventilated area.

Conclusion

How to clean fabric lampshades, especially those with stubborn stains could use up a good amount of time. However, it is worth your effort if you intend to restore your fixture’s former glory. After all, stylish and clean lampshades create an impressive effect in your spaces.