How do you clean a paper lamp shade?

Answer 1

According to the Home Maintenance And Repair Database at the Michigan State University website:

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.

Note: Use caution not to let the shades come loose from the frames when saturating shades with water. The weight of the water can cause some shades to do this, so it may be best to 'roll' the shade in water on its side, rather than to dip up and down.

My Preferred MethodIf the shade is just dusty, use a clean, dry paint brush (reserved for dusting only) and brush in an up and down motion to clean the shade. This will safely remove the dust, even from tiny pleats and crevices, and won't damage the shade.

Answer 2

i know it sound weird, but has been tried and tested. you have to wee in a bottle, and put a spray cap on it. spray a little over the dusty area, and rub with some kitchen roll. then sprinkle bicarbonate of soda on it and leave over night. then use a vacuum to remove it. hope it works!!!!!

I have always used an air compressor. Just put the air sprayer attachment on and it blows the dust right off. I also use this on air filters for vacuums.

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Besides the above, I keep a soft paint brush just for times like this. If the shade is dirty, take one of your face washclothes, slightly dampen. Pretend you are washing a baby's face (gentle) and most often that is all you need. I have shades that are almost 40 years old, fabric, don't do much more than this.

Answer 3

One can clean linen lamp shades with a vacuum cleaner fitted with the fabric attachment.

Answer 4

wash it with a damp rag with a little bit of soap on it and scrub thoroughly, but not roughly. Be gentle. If not you could possibly ruin your lampshades.

Answer 5

With one of those sticky lint rollers.