How to Do Something Your Don Know: How to Clean Lampshades

Lampshades are a great addition to your home's interior, but over time, they can become dirty and dusty. Wash your fabric lampshade in a soapy bath and then rinse and dry it thoroughly. If your lampshade is made from paper, simply use a dry microfiber cloth to remove the dust. Both these methods are quick, easy, and will leave your lampshades looking fresh and clean.

EditSteps

EditCleaning a Fabric, Glass, Plastic, or Fiberglass Lampshade

Unplug the lamp from the wall and take off the shade. Turn off the power switch and then pull out the plug. Try to unscrew the lampshade. If the shade doesn't come off, remove the light bulb and then screw off the shade.^[1]
- It is really important to make sure that the power is disconnected, as this avoids the risk of electrocution.
Wipe the lampshade with a damp microfiber cloth. Wet the microfiber cloth with cold water and then wring it out. Wipe the inside and outside of the lampshade to remove any dust or surface dirt. If the cloth is just smearing the dust around the lampshade, rinse the cloth and then try again.^[2]
- Continue to wipe the lampshade until all the dust has been removed.
- Alternatively, you can remove dust with a sticky lint roller or a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment.^[3]
Fill your tub with warm water, or cold water if you're cleaning a fabric shade. If possible, fill the bath with enough water to completely cover the lampshade. This will make it easier to submerge the lampshade in the water. If you don’t have a bathtub, use a large bucket or sink instead. Avoid washing a fabric lampshade in hot water as this can cause it to shrink.^[4]
- If the bath is dusty or dirty, give it a quick clean before filling it with water.
Mix of liquid laundry detergent into the water. Use your hand to swish the detergent around the bath until the water is frothy and bubbly. If the water doesn’t have any bubbles in it, add a few more drops of laundry detergent.^[5]
- If you don’t have liquid laundry detergent, use dishwashing liquid instead.
Add of white vinegar into the water if the lamp is greasy. This is particularly effective for plastic, glass, and fiberglass lampshades that accumulate grease when they are touched. Pour the vinegar into the bath and then use your hand to mix it around in the water.^[6]
- Skip this step if the lampshade isn’t greasy.
Dip a microfiber cloth into the soapy water and use it to wipe down the shade. Submerge the lampshade and the cloth in the bath water. Wring any excess water out of the cloth and then wipe the shade from the top to the bottom. If there are any marks on the lampshade, use the cloth to rub out the stains.^[7]
- Hold the lampshade over the bath to avoid it dripping on the floor.
- If you have any mildew on your lamp, pay particular attention to these areas. Rub the cloth vigorously over the mildew to scrub it off.
- If your lampshade is made from silk, avoid rubbing it vigorously as this can damage the fabric.
- Leave the shade to soak in the water for 10 minutes if the marks aren't coming off the shade.
Empty the tub and rinse the lampshade under warm water. Pull out the plug and then turn on the warm tap. Rotate the lamp under the stream of water until all the soapy residue is gone and the lamp looks sparkling clean!^[8]
- If your lamp is made from silk, rinse it under cold water.
- The rinsing process normally takes about 1 minute.
Leave the shade to dry for 24 hours before reattaching it to the lamp. Place the shade on a clean surface, such as on a towel or in a laundry basket, to dry. If the weather is fine, leave the shade outside to speed up the drying process.^[9]
- Make sure that the shade is completely dry before putting it back on the lamp.
- If you want to dry the lampshade more quickly, try gently drying it with a hair dryer on a low setting.

EditRemoving Dust from a Paper Lampshade

Put on a pair of gloves. Paper is easily stained by oil and moisture. Wear gloves to avoid accidentally marking the delicate paper. Disposable latex gloves or dishwashing gloves work well.^[10]
- Purchase latex or dishwashing gloves from a supermarket or cleaning store.
Turn off the power switch and remove the shade. This stops the risk of electrocution. If you’re unsure if the power is off, simply remove the power cord. Carefully lift the shade off the lamp. If the shade won’t come off, remove the light bulb and then try again.^[11]
- Be careful not to bend or fold the paper when you are removing the shade.
Wipe the shade with a dry microfiber cloth. These cloths work well because they trap the dust in their fibers, rather than simply moving it around. Start at the top of the lampshade and wipe down toward the bottom. Continue to gently wipe the shade until all the dust is gone.
- If you don’t have a microfiber cloth, use a fluffy cleaning cloth instead.^[12]
- You can also use a vacuum with a soft brush attachment to gently clean away dust.