Tips For Cleaning Fiberglass Shades

• All fiberglass shades can take a pretty vigorous wiping down with a damp cloth. Always check the decorative trim first in an un-obtrusive spot to make sure the trims will hold. Occassional, light dusting or vacuuming is a good keep-up.
• Make sure your shade is actually fiberglass and not paper or fabric or these techniques won't work.
• Determine if the problem is a burn or a dirty spot. There is nothing that you can do with a burn except to turn it toward the wall.
• For spot cleaning, I begin with a soft toothbrush and a mild cleanser, like Ivory or Woolite; and I have used Citra-solve on occassion. (I'll admit many times in frustration, I have ended up with steel wool and Ajax.) Always start with a small spot on the back and let it dry completely. Many times you will have removed the original spot, but will be left with a larger water stain. If you do this, read below about washing the whole shade.
• For overall dinginess or water stains: (This is dramatic but it will work.) Try emerging the entire shade into your kitchen sink or bathtub. Make sure that whatever you use is deep enough to cover the entire shade or you will leave a worse mark. Again, make sure to take care of any decorative trims before you wet the shade. The fiberglass can take the water but the trims will have a harder time with it.
• Please let me know any good tips you have for cleaning lamps.