Like other furniture and lighting fixtures, lamps need to be dusted on a regular basis. Lampshades can be harder to clean, though, because the dust sticks to the lampshade and needs to be washed off. Other stains, like water stains, can also affect a lampshade and must be removed. The cleaning method used depends on the type of lampshade you have. Fabric lampshades are cleaned differently than parchment, plastic or laminated lampshades.

  • Like other furniture and lighting fixtures, lamps need to be dusted on a regular basis.
  • Lampshades can be harder to clean, though, because the dust sticks to the lampshade and needs to be washed off.

Remove the lampshade from the lamp. Unscrew the light bulb and lift the lampshade up and off the lamp.

Wipe dirt and dust off of the lampshade with a dry cloth.

  • Wipe dirt and dust off of the lampshade with a dry cloth.

Remove the fabric lampshade from the metal frame, if possible.

Fill a tub with enough water so you can fully submerge the lampshade in the water.

Add 1/2 cup of laundry soap to the water. The water should be sudsy, so add soap as needed.

Submerge the lampshade into the water.

Dip a soft cloth into the sudsy water and rub it over the water stain.

Rinse the soap off the lampshade with clean water.

  • Rinse the soap off the lampshade with clean water.

Put the fabric back on the metal frame if you were able to take it off.

Let the lampshade dry outside.

Remove the lampshade from the lamp stand.

Fill a small bowl with 1/4 cup of water.

Add 1/2 tsp of mild washing powder to the water.

Whisk the mixture until a large amount of suds form at the top of the bowl.

Skim the dry suds with a dry sponge. Don't dip the sponge into the liquid.

Rub the suds onto the water stain until it comes out.

Slightly dampen another sponge and use it to remove the dry suds.