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Saw someone posted a while ago about washing their lamp shades as part of "spring" cleaning and made me wonder - can you do that? I've always used dusters and even hand-held vacuums to try to keep them clean but, after time, they do begin to be a bit "less than spiffy" so:

CAN you wash them? If so, how? Seems like the shower would have too much force for the shade, the tub would soak them and probably lessen the glue, so does that leave the kitchen sink with maybe Ivory soap? No idea here - help if you can!

BTW, these aren't antique shades - probably 10 years old or less and not super expensive although they are nice quality linen - just not looking as good as I would like! Appreciate any suggestions!

I have used a damp cloth to clean lamp shades. Also dust them first and then the damp cloth. I hope someone else has some good ideas.

I DO WAsh lamp shades by holding them over the sink and letting the faucet water wet them, or I could partially fill the sink with water and d.w. detergent and then just swish them around making sure every side gets immersed. I then use the sink hose to rinse them off and hang them on the clothes line to drip dry. I have been married 50 years and have always done this.

My lampshades are not super expensive though. this is a lamp whose shade I wash in the way described.

p.s. I thought this shade was too short so I added on the fringe by glue gunning it on. It still washes o.k.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: lady of shallot,

I dust my lampshades with a clean paint brush. Its perfect for pleated shades because it gets into the pleats better.

I've never heard of washing a lamp shade. But if the other choice is to throw it out its probably worth a try.

quote:

I've never heard of washing a lamp shade.

Yes, you have. I just said so above.

los,
And thank you for the directions. I've never washed mine but will start now.

I usually wait until the dusting just dosn't make them look good enough anymore and then paint them for a few more years worth of use but if I keep them washed I don't have to do this.

I regularly vaccuum lamp shades using soft upholstry brush to thoroughly remove dust and cobwebs, rarely wash them. But when they begin to look dingy, I use same method as Lady of Shallot.