How to Clean Lamp Shades

Without Water

Sometimes it seems like a lampshade serves to catch every speck of dust in the house, but regular dusting can cut down on the number of deep cleanings your lamp shades will have to endure.

Try getting a small paintbrush from your local hardware store to dust down the ridges in pleated shades.
A lint brush or packing tape works well on smooth fabric lamp shades.
Try a blow dryer on the coolest setting. Hold it 12-14 inches away from the lampshade to make sure it doesn't melt any plastic components. Air compressors work even better. Just be aware of the air pressure so you don't end up with dents.
Take your shade to your local launderer. Dry-cleaning silk or linen shades is sometimes the best option.

When Water Is Necessary

Here are some tips for tackling the task of cleaning with water.

If you have saved the manufacturer information for your lampshade, determine if it can be immersed in water.
Check to see if the shade has been sewn onto the frame. If the shade is held by glue alone, you probably don't want to immerse it in water, as it could lose its shape. Simply sew the fabric onto the frame with same-color thread before proceeding.
If all systems are go, fill a bathtub with lukewarm water and 1/4 cup of gentle fabric detergent. Dip the shade up and down into the water until the water is no longer dirty. Set the lampshade out in the sun to dry quickly. Handle it only by its crossbars.
If the lamp shade is held to the frame by glue, you may opt for whipping the detergent and water together into a bubbly froth with an electric mixer and applying this to the shade with a cloth. Rinse gently with warm water and a cloth.
Don't be alarmed if the fabric on the shade sages or puckers when wet. It will stretch taut as it dries.