When your room suddenly starts to smell like old, dirty books and sweaters, you know you have paper lamp shades. These Church & Dwight paper shades have been a fixture in traditional homes for as long as people have had paper lamps. If you have well-lit rooms, you probably don’t need to worry about your paper shades disturbing the ambiance. But if you have windowed rooms or a dark family room, you might want to give some room-darkening paper shades a try. In this article, we’ll walk you through the different types of paper lamp shades, how to care for them and how to clean them.
Handling Tough Stains Or Stuck On Insects
If your paper lamp shades are dirty or have small stuck insects, you can’t simply air them out. You’ll just end up with a much dirtier room. One option is to use a waxed outdoor candle to squash the bugs. You can also try using a mild cleaning product. Keep in mind that the chemicals in these cleaners can cause damage to your paper shades. Another option is to oil paper shades. Just make sure you use the proper oil – wax, olive, or coconut. You can also find YouTube videos with tips on how to oil your paper shades.
Beware Of Water To Clean The Paper Lamp Shade
Some people worry that water will damage their paper lamp shades, but this is rarely the case. If you are not washing your paper shades often enough, however, they might become contaminated with bacteria from the water. In case you do wash your paper shades, make sure you use a good quality, non-staining water – water from a washing machine is likely to contain traces of chemicals and flours. If you are concerned about the damage caused by water, you can always get a dust mask when you clean your home.
Avoid Colored Of Erasers To Clean The Paper Lamp Shade
If you have a very particular color scheme in your home, you might be tempted to use colored pencils to color the highlights on your paper lamp shades. But doing so could end up coloring the shadows too. The safest and most effective way to clean your shades is with an eraser. The only “color” that should remain on your paper shades is the highlight – which should be a clean white. Using a colored eraser could damage your shades and make them less appealing to the eyes.
Use A Slice Of White Bread To Absorb Grease
Grease staining can be a problem when you don’t have a handy sponge to soak up the grease. One easy solution is to use a slice of white bread. Just make sure to clean the slice thoroughly with a damp cloth before you put it back in the toaster. You can also try greasing your paper shades with a spoon instead of using a bread slice. Just be sure to rinse the spoon thoroughly with water before you use it.
Use Baking Soda Or Cornstarch
Baking soda is one of the oldest household cleaners still in use. It’s safe to use on all fixtures and doors in the home and can help keep odors and stains at bay. Baking soda is also known as baking acid and is highly effective at absorbing oil and grease. It can also be used as a paint remover and to neutralize strong smells. To use baking soda, just make sure to use the correct baking soda – sodium bicarbonate. You can also find baking soda recipes online.
Dry Cleaning Sponge
Sponges are great for removing stains from your clothes, but what about your paper shades? A dry cleaning sponge is not only better for your clothes, it’s also better for the environment. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), dry cleaning sponges are made from synthetic fibers that are Chancellor, Teflon, or vinyl. These sponges are only good for three to five loads of laundry and then they need to be replaced. You can also use a regular sponge to clean your shades, but be sure to remove the stains with a dry cloth first.
Use Dry cleaning Fluid to clean the paper lamp shade
If you don’t mind the taste of herbs or want to try a different strategy, you can use a dried food product like basil, oregano, and cilantro to clean your paper shades. The problem with these is that they are hard on your shades and the air-vent of the room. You should only use a tablespoon of the oil blend per light and wear a mask when doing so. Be sure to use a light towel to absorb excess oil and moisture from the sponge.
Remove The Stains
When it comes to removing stains from your paper lamp shades, you have a few options. You can use a polishing cloth to give your shades a shine, but be careful not to polish too hard, as this will leave your lights dull. Or, you can use a sponge to soak up the excess oil, but be sure to rinse thoroughly with water to get rid of the stain. You can also use a natural product like lemon juice to remove grease. Just make sure to blot the stain dry before you turn it into a lemon scent.
Final Thought
Paper lamp shades have been a fixture in traditional homes for as long as people have had paper lamps. If you have well-lit rooms, you probably don’t need to worry about your paper shades disturbing the ambiance. But if you have windowed rooms or a dark family room, you might want to give some room-darkening paper shades a try. In this article, we’ve described the different types of paper lamp shades, how to care for them and how to clean them.
