June 10, 2026
How to Clean Lampshades
Dirty, dusty, or dingy shades detract from your lamp's appearance, diminish the available light, and can make your home or business look uncared for. Before you start cleaning, consider the lampshade type.
Lampshades are the finishing touch that makes a beautiful lamp shine brighter. Dirty, dusty, or dingy shades detract from your lamp’s appearance, diminish the available light, and can make your home or business look uncared for. That’s why knowing how to clean lampshades is vital.
Types of Lampshades
Before you start cleaning, consider the type of lampshade. Different materials have unique cleaning requirements, and lampshades fall into two broad categories.
Fabric
Many lampshades consist of fabric, which makes them softer and results in a diffuse light. Popular material choices include:
- Cotton
- Silk
- Burlap
- Linen
- Polyester
While they aren’t a true fabric, paper lampshades are reasonably common and require greater care with cleaning.
Hard Materials
Another popular type of lampshade is those that consist of hard materials. These lampshades are beautiful, but they often result in lower light levels. Common materials include:
- Wood or bamboo
- Brass or metals
- Glass, clay or ceramic
How to Clean Your Lampshades
Cleaning a lampshade is simpler than most people think, as long as you consider the material and act accordingly.
Dry Cleaning
Dry cleaning lampshades is something that should happen regularly, preferably weekly, and is the only kind of cleaning that works for materials like paper. It involves removing dust and deposits with a feather duster or microfiber cloth. It’s best to remove the lampshade for cleaning so you have full access to its surface.
Deep Cleaning
If dry cleaning is ineffective, you may need to resort to deep cleaning, which differs according to the shade material. For example, you can’t wash a paper lampshade without destroying it entirely. For glass, bronze, and other hard lampshades, you can wash them easily with a microfiber cloth and a gentle detergent.
You can clean fabric lampshades with a power duster or a vacuum cleaner with a textile cleaning brush. Remember to use a low-power setting to avoid damaging the delicate fabric, and hold the nozzle several inches away.
Stain Treatment
While it may be possible to wash certain types of lampshades, it should typically be a last resort. Better alternatives include:
- Fabric lampshades: Dab at the stain with a damp cloth and some mild detergent. In most cases, this will be sufficient. However, if this technique doesn’t work for a removable, washable fabric, you can also remove the shade and gently wash it in warm water with a mild detergent.
- Paper lampshades: Use an eraser to remove as much of the stain as possible. Be careful not to create too much friction, which may wear the material down.
- Hard lampshades: Hard shades rarely stain, and you can remove most stains with a damp, warm cloth and mild detergent.
Contact Us for Professional Cleaning Services
While knowing how to clean lampshades is useful, most people don’t have the time or inclination to clean each of their lampshades by hand. That’s why professional cleaning services are a fantastic solution. If you’re ready to embrace a clean house without the fuss, schedule a cleaning service today or call us at 888-624-3274 to discuss your needs.
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