How to clean lamps? See what to do to make your lamps shine by example.

How to clean lamps? A brief tutorial from Kaspa

Dust, dirt and stains can easily make your beautiful lamps lose all their luster. Thereforeo in our guide we suggest how to clean lamps - their lampshades and lampshades, so as to quickly and effectively remove all dirt from them, without causing damage to them. From the following article you will learn not only how and with what to clean glass lampshades and crystal chandeliers, but also how to get rid of sediment and stains from fabric lampshades and restore the noble appearance of galvanized and brass frames. We invite you to read!

How to clean dust from glass lampshades?

Dust, which incredibly readily settles on glass lamps, leads to dulling of their surface and worse light distribution, which is why it is so important to regularly vacuum and clean glass light fixtures.

To clean glass lampshades, it is best to use cloths made of soft, lint-free materials - the well-known microfiber or fabrics with even thinner fibers, often characterized by a structure resembling fish scales and using modern nanotechnology - microfiber, Mirafiber, etc. Cloths designed for glass polishing, glass cleaning or car detailing will be perfect here.

Before cleaning, you can wet the cloth gently with water to help remove tougher, long-lasting dirt. Make slow movements from top to bottom and move piece by piece around the lampshade. In the same way you will also clean the glass bases of table lamps.

When cleaning glass lampshades, also remember not to leave fingerprints on them. To do this, put on a cotton glove or hold the lampshade with your other hand also using a microfiber cloth.

A great way to quickly clean glass lamps of dust on a daily basis is also to use a dust broom made of feathers. The broom will also work sensationally for crystal chandeliers, often consisting of many small elements. Regular vacuuming will prevent dust buildup, but if you are dealing with permanent dirt on the crystals, wash this type of chandelier in the shower or bathtub and then wipe the glass pieces with a cloth dipped in a solution of water and vinegar, which will restore their luster.

How to vacuum fabric lampshades?

Cloth lampshades are best cleaned regularly once a week. This is necessary because this type of material attracts dust particles, which once deposited on the fabric can be visible when the light is turned on, and over time will form a thicker and more difficult to remove layer.

There are several ways to remove dust from fabric lampshades:

- first of all, you can try to gently vacuum them, using a special tip with long, soft bristles. The bristles will pick up the dust particles, and the vacuum cleaner will pull them in. Do not use a vacuum cleaner if the lampshade is made of delicate fabric or if the fabric is not stretched tightly.

- another way is to use a standard roll / roller for cleaning clothes. Slowly move it over the surface of the lampshade from top to bottom, replacing the paper if necessary.

- you can also vacuum the lampshades using a hair dryer or feather broom

To clean a fabric lampshade, do not use cloths - this will make them even dustier. On the other hand, to clean plastic or paper lampshades, you can as much as possible use microfiber cloths Wipe the lampshade dry from top to bottom, in long slow motions. If you do not have a microfiber cloth, use any other soft fabric.

How to clean fabric lampshades "wet"?

First of all, start by turning off the lamp and removing the plug from the contact. Then remove the bulb and remove the lampshade. Pour some warm water into a bowl and add a teaspoon of washing powder or other mild detergent. If the lampshade is covered with grease, add a little vinegar to the water and stir.

Soak a microfiber cloth in the prepared solution and wring out excess water. Clean the lamp by rinsing the cloth in clean water and/or dipping it back into the bowl. Do it over a bathtub or towel to avoid additional messes.

Finally, rinse the lampshade in clean, warm water - under the tap or in a bathtub/bowl. If the lampshade of your lamp is made of silk, rinse it in cold water. Rinsing should not take more than a minute.

Place the lampshade on a towel and leave to dry for another 24 hours. You can also put it outside (but not in direct sunlight) or gently dry it with a hair dryer.

How to remove deep dirt from fabric, glass or plastic lampshades and lampshades?

If a film of dust and grease has formed on your lamp, you will have a hard time removing it with a wet cloth. In this case, you must wash the lampshade in the bathtub or sink / basin.

Start by unplugging the power supply and removing the shade or lampshade. Pour warm water (in an amount that will allow you to immerse the fixture) into a large bowl, bathtub or sink and add a tablespoon of washing powder or other mild detergent. Stir until soapy bubbles form on the surface. If the lamp is greasy, add a tablespoon of vinegar, mix.

Immerse the lamp and let it soak for 10 minutes. During this time you can move the lampshade or shade from time to time. You can also use a microfiber cloth to remove tougher stains and dirt. Rinse the lampshade under warm running water for 2-3 minutes until the lampshade and water are completely clean.

Place the fabric lampshade on a towel and leave to dry for another 24 hours. You can also put it outside (but not in direct sunlight) or gently dry it with a hair dryer. Plastic lampshades, those made of glass, steel or plastic, you can wipe dry with a high-quality microfiber cloth. Remember not to put the lampshade on the lamp until it is completely dry, and to check whether the manufacturer allows lampshades or lampshades to be cleaned with water before soaking them in water.

Some people put lamp shades or lampshades made of plastic into a dishwasher set on a gentle, short program with a low temperature. Remember, however, that this (somewhat crazy) way is reserved only for lamps - tough guys!

Our advice: none of the above methods are applicable if you want to clean a lampshade from paper. In the case of paper lampshades, you can try to remove dirt with a piece of ... bread. Hold a slice of bread for a while at the spot of the stain, and then gently and in a circular motion, try to clean the stain.

Racks and bulbs - don't forget the details!

• You can clean metal galvanized lamp frames both with a water-moistened cloth and using toothpaste (for tougher dirt).
• You will also clean brass metal lamps with a solution of water and spirit, in proportions of one to one. Just dip a soft cloth in the solution, wring it out and gently wipe the surface of the frame or shade.
• Clean wooden frames with a cloth dampened in a solution of water and detergent, making sure that the cloth is only slightly dampened - excess water can damage wooden surfaces.
• With a cloth with detergent, we also clean - very gently - the bulbs, which are finally wiped dry with a cotton cloth. This way we also clean any other trim, cable or switch.
• If you want to restore the shine of metal lamps with a shiny - gold or silver - finish or those covered with chrome, you can use special polishes, which are great for dealing with small scratches on occasion. Apply it with a soft cloth in circular motions, but before using it, check in an inconspicuous place whether the paste will not sometimes damage the surface of the lamp.

If you are still unsure how to remove dirt from your lamp, check the documents that come with the product or ask the manufacturer. It is also worth inquiring about ways to maintain the lamp when you buy it, so that you can enjoy the beauty of your chosen light fixtures for as long as possible.