Cleaning lampshades?
Serious replys only and no statements about the smoking please unless its in regards to cleaning.
Answers:
http://dwp.bigplanet.com/damask/cleaningyourcustomfabriclampshade/
Go there they will tell you how!!
Other answers:
We're smokers, too, but this is a problem my parents also have from gas appliances so maybe it will help more folks as well. If you've had them for a very long time and never cleaned them it probably won't work. Each weekend when I do my dusting and scrubbing, etc., I dampen a sponge in clear, non sudsing ammonia and wipe down the shades. This removes some of the stain and also helps to eliminate the smoke odor (which will stay in all of your upholstery and draperies, carpet...anything fabric). When they begin to look a little dingy, I spray carpet cleaner for pet stains and odors onto a sponge and wipe them down. Do not use a circular motion and try to overlap each pass with the sponge so as not to leave streaks. Most of the fabric shades today are polyester blends. I remember my granny used to take hers in the yard and wipe down with diluted chlorine beach, spray with her garden hose till water was clear and leave them out in the sunshine. Hope this will help.
We're smokers, too, but this is a problem my parents also have from gas appliances so maybe it will help more folks as well. If you've had them for a very long time and never cleaned them it probably won't work. Each weekend when I do my dusting and scrubbing, etc., I dampen a sponge in clear, non sudsing ammonia and wipe down the shades. This removes some of the stain and also helps to eliminate the smoke odor (which will stay in all of your upholstery and draperies, carpet...anything fabric). When they begin to look a little dingy, I spray carpet cleaner for pet stains and odors onto a sponge and wipe them down. Do not use a circular motion and try to overlap each pass with the sponge so as not to leave streaks. Most of the fabric shades today are polyester blends. I remember my granny used to take hers in the yard and wipe down with diluted chlorine beach, spray with her garden hose till water was clear and leave them out in the sunshine. Hope this will help.
mine are fabric as well. i usually use an old fashioned feather duster. putting them out in the sun for a day or two perks them up if they have yellowed a bit. really i think the less you use to clean them with the better, and just try and keep them dusted often..the smoke tends to want to cling to them. you didn't say if these were custom shades or just regular price shades. many hobby stores and target and stores of the like sell some fairly attractive shades for cheap if you weren't looking for anything fancy! i'm not sure what your colors are in your home either.you might try a patterned fabric or off white tones to help hide any dust or yellowing in the future! also.one last tip! good old scotch guard! i use it on all fabric things first off when i'm adding a new item to my home!
Get the lint remover ROLLERS that are made with a gel like substance. You roll them over the lampshade and then rinse the roller when done.
As far as stains, spray them with water and set them in the sun to bleach. If they are white, you could add EITHER a little vinegar to the water OR a touch of safe bleach.