How to Clean a Lampshade? (The Right Way)

The right way to clean a lampshade depends on what it is made of, but the safe order is the same for every shade: dust it first with dry tools, and use water only where the material allows it.

1. Switch off and unplug the lamp, then let the bulb and shade cool.
2. Work out what the shade is made of and check for a care tag.
3. Dust it with a dry tool: a soft cloth, a soft brush or the brush attachment of a vacuum.
4. Spot clean or wash it only if the material allows, testing on a hidden spot first.
5. Let it dry fully before it goes back on the lamp.

Lampshades collect dust, pet hair and finger marks, and they are easy to leave off the cleaning list. The sections below cover fabric, paper and glass shades, then woven shades such as bamboo pendant lights in a living room or outdoor rattan pendant lights hung on a covered porch or veranda.

Accessing Your Lampshade

Turn off the lamp, unplug it and give the bulb and shade time to cool. If a ceiling light has no plug, switch it off at the wall switch. Then lift the shade off the base where you can.

If a shade on a chandelier or ceiling light clips on, unclip it and take it down. If removing the shade isn't an option, clean it in place, working all the way round.

Before any wet clean, check the care tag or the maker's instructions in case they name cleaning products to use or avoid.

Removing Dust

Regular dusting helps keep hair, cobwebs and dust from building up, and it suits every shade in this guide. A common routine is to dust every week or two. Use a gentle touch and a dry tool:

• a microfibre cloth
• a soft brush
• a lint roller, used lightly
• the brush attachment of a vacuum cleaner on a low setting

For this regular dusting you can leave the shade in place, as long as the lamp is off and the bulb is cool. Dust it inside and out. A vacuum attachment is handy for pleated shades, and the same dry dusting suits woven shades such as our rattan light shades and basket light shades.

Cleaning Fabric Lampshades

Start a fabric lampshade with dry dusting. Only some fabric shades can be washed, and wetting the wrong one can loosen its glue, mark silk or change the tension of linen.

Microfibre cloth or soft brush: Wipe or brush the shade gently, inside and out, to lift dust, lint and cobwebs.

Vacuum cleaner: For hard-to-reach shades, such as those on chandeliers, use the brush attachment on a low setting and move it carefully over the fabric. Do not use the vacuum on delicate fabric.

Paintbrush: For pleated shades, a clean paintbrush or make-up brush reaches into the folds and brushes out dust and hair.

Lint roller: Roll it lightly over the fabric to pick up lint and hair, and on sheer or delicate fabric test it on a hidden spot first.

Washing: Wash a fabric shade only if it is sturdy and washable, its fabric is stitched to the frame rather than glued, and it is not silk. If all three are true:

1. Fill a tub or basin with lukewarm water and add a few drops of mild detergent.
2. Lower the shade into the water and wipe it inside and out with a soft cloth.
3. If it is very dirty, let it soak for a few minutes, turning it so every side spends the same time in the water.
4. Drain the dirty water and rinse the shade in clean water to remove the suds.
5. Lift the shade out and shake off the excess water.
6. Let it air dry away from direct sun, for example hung from a shower rail.
7. Make sure it is completely dry before you fit it back on the lamp.

Caution: Keep silk dry. Avoid harsh cleaning sprays and bleach on any fabric shade, as they can discolour or damage the fabric. If a linen shade takes in too much water, the tension of the fabric on the frame can change slightly, so spot clean linen rather than soaking it.

Glued shades: Don't wet a shade with glued seams or trims, as water can loosen the glue. Clean it with a dry microfibre cloth or a vacuum attachment instead.

Small stains: On a fabric that can take a little water, test on a hidden spot first, then dab (do not rub) the stain with a barely damp cloth and a little mild detergent.

Cleaning Paper Lampshades

Use only dry methods on a paper or parchment lampshade, and keep moisture away from it altogether. Even residue from hand cream or the natural oil on your skin can mark the surface, so wash and dry your hands first or wear clean gloves.

Remove the shade and wipe it inside and out with a dry microfibre cloth. Use a light touch and support the shade with one hand as you work.

If a mark stays after dry dusting, leave it dry. Wet cleaning risks making a mark on paper worse, so it is safer to ask the maker or a lampshade restorer.

Cleaning Glass Lampshades

Before you clean a glass lampshade, switch off and unplug the lamp, let the shade cool, then remove it.

Wipe away the loose dust inside and outside the shade. Then wash it by hand in warm water with a few drops of washing-up liquid, using a soft cloth. Do not use abrasive cleaners or scouring pads, as they can scratch the glass.

Rinse thoroughly and dry it with a microfibre cloth. Replace it on the base only when it is completely dry.

For a plastic shade, follow the care label or the maker's instructions.

Cleaning Woven Bamboo and Rattan Lampshades

As a rule, clean a woven bamboo or rattan lampshade without water. Dust it with a soft brush or the brush attachment of a vacuum on a low setting, working along the weave. On an open weave, a soft brush can reach between the strips. The TEERAYA Bamboo Pendant Light Shade is one example, with a diamond lattice of slender bamboo strips. The same gentle brushing suits the handwoven shade of the CHI NA Bamboo Weaving Table Lamp.

For a mark, use a barely damp cloth, then let the shade dry fully before you switch the light on again. Generally, do not soak or submerge a woven shade.

Our woven shades are handmade in Thailand for indoor and covered outdoor use, and our guide on how to clean a rattan pendant light goes into their care in more detail. For a quick summary, see our care notes for woven pendant lights.

For a valuable or delicate shade of any material, check with the maker before you try anything that cannot be undone. If cleaning does not help and you want a new lamp, our boho table lamps are one place to start.

FAQs

How do you clean a lampshade without ruining it?

Work out what the shade is made of and check any care tag before you start. Dust it first with a dry cloth or a soft brush. Use water only where the material allows it, so keep paper, parchment, silk and glued shades dry, and test any cleaner on a hidden spot first.

How should you clean a cloth lampshade?

Dust a cloth lampshade first with a lint roller, a soft brush or the brush attachment of a vacuum. If the shade is sturdy and its fabric is stitched to the frame, wipe it inside and out with a cloth dipped in lukewarm water and a few drops of mild detergent, then let it dry fully. Keep silk and glued shades dry.

How do you whiten a yellow lampshade?

A lampshade can yellow with age, light, heat and built-up dirt. Cleaning can lift the dirt and may brighten the shade, but it may not reverse a change in the material itself. Dust it first. If it is a washable fabric shade, wipe it with lukewarm water and mild detergent, rinse it and let it dry. Avoid bleach, and keep the shade out of strong direct sun to help slow further yellowing.