How to clean a lampshade: 5 steps for fabric, paper, glass and plastic

In winter the lamps often go on in mid-afternoon – and that's exactly when you notice how much dust has settled on them. Knowing how to clean a lampshade starts with the material: fabric needs different treatment from paper, glass different treatment from plastic. Use the wrong method and you end up with water marks, dents or edges coming unstuck.

The five steps below show how to get every kind of shade clean safely and gently – from the floor lamp in the living room to the ceiling light in the hallway.

Why it pays to clean a lampshade regularly

Lampshades are classic dust traps: they sit or hang out in the open, and dust quietly settles on the top. In the kitchen a sticky film of grease is added, and glass bowls on the ceiling collect dead insects. A dusty lamp gives noticeably less light, and on hot halogen or incandescent bulbs, dust can give off an unpleasant smell.

Good light is also a safety issue: the Swiss Council for Accident Prevention (BFU) recommends lighting your home brightly but without glare, especially stairs. Clean shades and bulbs play their part.

1. Prepare: power off, let it cool, climb safely

Switch the lamp off and unplug floor and table lamps. Halogen and incandescent bulbs get very hot: wait until you can touch them comfortably. If possible, take the shade off – you'll clean it more thoroughly on a table than overhead.

For ceiling lights you need a stable step ladder – not a chair, stool or box. The BFU advises choosing a step ladder with deep treads with non-slip grooves, non-slip feet and a lock that stops it folding up. Position the ladder directly under the lamp instead of leaning out sideways, and hand large glass bowls down to a second person.

2. Fabric lampshades: lint roller and vacuum brush

Most fabric shades are laminated onto a plastic backing and glued at the edges. So the rule is: dry before wet.

1. Run a lint roller over the shade in strips from top to bottom, outside and inside.
2. Alternatively, use the upholstery nozzle or brush attachment of your vacuum cleaner on low suction.
3. Dust pleated shades fold by fold with a soft brush.
4. Dab stains with lukewarm water and a drop of mild washing-up liquid without rubbing – test on an inconspicuous spot first.
5. Let the shade dry upright in the air, never on the lamp while it's switched on.

Only wash a fabric shade completely if the manufacturer expressly allows it, for example with removable, sewn covers. Glued shades can come apart or lose their shape in water.

3. Paper, parchment and rice paper: dry only

Paper shades are the most delicate. Water leaves marks and can make the paper warp or tear. So work dry only:

• Soft brush or feather duster: gently dust from top to bottom.
• Hairdryer on the cold setting: blow dust out of folds and ridges, ideally on the balcony.
• Dry-cleaning sponge: for grey films on smooth paper and parchment.

On sturdy paper, a soft white eraser can sometimes lighten small marks. On thin rice-paper lanterns, better not try. Treat rattan, raffia and wood veneer dry as well, with a brush or the vacuum's brush attachment.

4. Glass lampshades: into warm soapy water

Glass is the most forgiving, because it can get wet. Here's how:

1. Take down the shade or ceiling bowl with both hands and empty any dead insects over the bin.
2. Lay a tea towel in the sink – it protects against scratches and breakage.
3. Wash the glass in lukewarm water with a little washing-up liquid, using a soft sponge.
4. Rinse with clean water and polish dry with a lint-free cloth.
5. Only refit it once the glass is completely dry, inside and out.

Glass shades only go in the dishwasher if the manufacturer allows it: painted, gilded or frosted surfaces can suffer. For lights with lots of glass drops, see our guide on how to clean a chandelier.

5. Plastic, metal and bulbs: wipe damp, dry straight away

Wipe plastic and acrylic shades with a slightly damp microfibre cloth and a little mild washing-up liquid, then dry them. Alcohol, solvents and scouring pads can cloud or scratch acrylic. Dust metal shades and, if needed, wipe them with a barely damp cloth; dry them straight away so no marks remain.

Don't forget the bulb: LED, halogen or incandescent, dust it only when cold, and only with a dry, soft cloth or brush. And while you're at it: light switches and sockets collect dirt too – see our guide to cleaning yellowed light switches.

Common mistakes

• Cleaning a lamp that is on or hot: risk of burns and electric shock.
• Wiping paper with a damp cloth: water marks are almost impossible to remove.
• Soaking a fabric shade: the glue gives way and the shade loses its shape.
• Refitting wet glass: moisture has no place near the lamp holder.
• Standing on a chair: chairs and stools tip over easily – a step ladder is safer.

Priority Clean editorial teamOur cleaning team from Alberswil, Canton of Lucerne, shares hands-on experience from move-out, house, office and window cleaning across Central and Northwestern Switzerland.