Category: Creative Workspaces

Exploring the tools, materials, lighting, and functional choices that support creative thinking and making.

How to clean a cloth lampshade

Creative Workspaces

The trend for cloth lampshades is returning. Whether gathered, pleated or stretched over a frame, I love making fabric lampshades.
However, I noticed a dilemma because fabric tends to gather dust and is too delicate for hoovering with the crevis or upholstery attachment. I have to be careful that the home is as dust-free as possible with my asthma. The video below came after a sleepless night of wheezing and being convinced I had COVID-19 at worst or the flu. I then took the lampshade out of the bedroom and washed it under the tap. I was using ordinary gentle soap gently trickling over it. I slept better with no wheezing after that.

After rinsing, I let it drain on a un upturned empty Gu pot. A yoghurt pot will do. And it dripped dried on kitchen towels. The washing process brought the colour of the lampshade up back to its normal sparkly shimmer too.

Here are the ten tips for cleaning a cloth fabric lampshade

  1. Check with the seller that your lampshade has not been glued anywhere.
  2. 100% hand-stitched lampshade
  3. Do not wash drum lampshades that are mass-produced as there are bound to be some glue-attaching pieces. The fabric is attached to UPVC.
  4. Check the fabric is washable, such as cotton.
  5. Check the fabric pattern will not run if wet.
  6. Use lukewarm water
  7. Lather up a small amount of detergent.
  8. Sprinkle it over the lampshade in and out
  9. Rinse thoroughly
  10. Drain until dry

It’s interesting how dusty old lampshades often end up in landfill. But just giving your old lampshade a wash could be both good for you and the planet.

Home Office Charm 2021

Finding funky fringing for updating standard lamp

Creative Workspaces

I wanted to do justice to this standard lamp as its trimming update was long overdue.

It’s one of the pieces that I realise now was over designed. And recently I’d

been wanting to strip down the details always remembering the less is more rule. I continued to be Inspired by smart office dress and my mood board contained images from Pinterest.

Lampshade Before

Selecting matching pink fringing

Trying trimming on for size style and mood

Then the finished piece is is what I’m much happier with. Just need to get a new lamp stand. Thinking dark burnt oak or ebony wood.

After

Using upcycled plastic for chrstmas lights decor.

Creative Workspaces

Forgive me followers, I’ve not posted since the Autumn. Thanks for listening to my confession. 😳 For repentance I’m very pleased I’ve managed to snatch a couple days off work, to paint, make and create.

Next, what will follow is a series of mixed media items and escapades that I think make up for my lost time.

I’ve started with these hand made Christmas decorations that I made from upcycled fabric and plastic tubes from my lampshade making projects.

So all that glitters doesn’t have to be gold it can be upcycled plastic!

See how they look lit up. Tomorrow’s post shows what they look like on the tree. 🎄