Accidents happen, and old lamps are sometimes forgotten and neglected. But that doesn’t always mean the end for your lamp. Here’s what to do when dusting isn’t enough.
When dust sticks
Dust can include a range of components, including oils, which can transfer onto your lamp base, said Dan Derr, PhD, senior vice president of technology at Integrity Biochem and a chemist with more than a decade of experience in surfactants in the consumer-care sector. That’s partly why you’ll find sticky residue on the hard surfaces of long-neglected lamps.
But resist the urge to use chemical cleaners, which can affect the look of your lamp’s materials—particularly unlacquered metals, says Gosselin. For metals, ceramics, porcelain, glass, and other hard surfaces, the best solution is the gentlest.
What you need:
- quart-size liquid measuring cup, or similarly sized container
- mild dish soap, laundry detergent, or upholstery fabric cleaner
- cloth or rag
Optional:
- distilled water
- gentle glass cleaner
What to do:
1. Turn off and unplug the lamp. Proceed when the bulb is cool.
2. Add a half squirt of mild dish soap into a quart container filled with water, and mix. If your area has hard water, use distilled water instead of tap. “The mineral deposits may interact with your fixtures,” Gosselin explained.
3. Dip a cloth into the bowl and wring away excess wetness. Test an inconspicuous spot to make sure the soap solution doesn’t react with your lamp’s material. If all looks good, apply to soiled surfaces and gently rub.
4. Clean off any soap residue with a cloth dipped in clean water, then dry the lamp immediately. “Otherwise you might see spotting or streaking,” said Gosselin.
5. For glass surfaces, you can spritz gentle glass cleaner on a dry cloth and wipe carefully. But never spray directly onto your fixture, particularly if there are materials nearby, such as a metallic frame that could be damaged. Gosselin’s team uses the Sprayway ammonia-free glass cleaner.
When fabric shades discolor
Over time, light-colored synthetic fabrics can yellow, especially when exposed to UV light. If your lamp is near a window, rotate it every six months to balance out the exposure.
If your shade is stained, try the following method.
What you need:
- quart-size liquid measuring cup, or similarly sized container
- mild dish soap, laundry detergent, or upholstery fabric cleaner
- cloth or rag
What to do:
1. In a quart-size container, combine warm water with a few drops of mild dish soap.
2. Moisten your cloth with the water and soap mixture, and test on an inconspicuous spot on your shade to confirm that the color doesn’t bleed or leave a water spot. Once you’ve determined all is okay, gently rub the spot away with the soapy damp cloth.
3. Rinse away the suds from your cloth with clean water, wring away excess, and remove any soapy lamp-surface residue with the cloth.
4. Overall, though, it’s a tough situation, Gosselin said. You might be better off replacing the shade, or, according to Roe, you can simply re-position the lamp so the stain is less obvious.
When a paper shade gets marked up
It can happen, especially if you’re using a paper lamp on your desk.
For stray marks, such as pencil, carefully rub away with an art eraser, such as a kneaded eraser (these erasers, available in art stores, are gentle on paper and don’t leave residue). “If it doesn’t come off after one or two tries, just leave it,” said Scott, who owns a dozen of these lamps, “give or take,” at home.
For oil stains, cover with corn starch. Let it sit for a few minutes, then dust it off.
For yellowing caused by UV exposure, the best solution is prevention. As with fabric shades, rotate the lamp every six months. But also keep in mind that subtle transformation over time is also part of a lamp’s beauty. “We tell people to try to embrace the changes,” said Scott.
This article was edited by Daniela Gorny.
