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
- Check with the seller that your lampshade has not been glued anywhere.
- 100% hand-stitched lampshade
- 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.
- Check the fabric is washable, such as cotton.
- Check the fabric pattern will not run if wet.
- Use lukewarm water
- Lather up a small amount of detergent.
- Sprinkle it over the lampshade in and out
- Rinse thoroughly
- 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
Home Office Charm 
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