Lamp shades are just like an piece of furniture in our homes. They attract dust, can get dirty and need to be regularly cleaned. However cleaning a kitchen bench is relatively easy and it’s hard to get it wrong. Lamp shades are a bit more tricky and require some extra care. . Of course it’s always worth your time and effort to take care of your shades because cleaning will prolong their life and keep them looking beautiful.

So here’s some basic ideas of looking after your lamp shade and making it pleasant for you and your guests.

Fabric Lamp shades
Many lamp shades are made out of fabric. The advantages of fabric are fairly obvious. You can have a wide range of different patterns, colors and designs  that complement your tastes and the décor of your house. Now before you clean your fabric lamp shade think safety first. Turn off the power and unplug the lamp shade and then remove the shade. Take a soft brush and gently brush off the dust with long strokes from the top to the bottom of the shade. A valid alternative to a brush is a lint roller. You can also use a vacuum cleaner if you have a soft brush attachment. Alternatively you can use a blow dryer to simply blow the dust away.  If it is a high quality stitched shade you can soak it in tepid soapy water to remove dust and stains.

Paper lamp shades can be delicate. Again think safety as you commence your cleaning and turn off the lamp and unplug it. Use a lint roller or very soft brush to remove the dust again stroking from the top to the bottom.

Glass Lamp shades
Glass lamp shades bring a touch of class to any home. They are elegant in appearance and as an added bonus they are super easy to keep clean. Once or twice a week give your glass lampshade a quick dust. When you want to clean them, again think safety first by  turning it off and unplugging it. Then remove it from its stand and wash it with lukewarm soapy water whilst also using the same cloth to wipe down the lamp stand. Rinse the soap off the glassware, dry it thoroughly and replace it onto the lamp stand.

Regular cleaning of your lamp shades will not enhance their appearance but it will lengthen their usefulness to you, continuing to complement your home furnishings for years.