Revive Your Stained Lampshade With A Hydrogen Peroxide Spot Treatment

Do you have a lovely antique lamp collecting dust in the closet due to a stained fabric shade? Or perhaps you found the dreamiest lamp at the thrift store but need to give the shade some much needed love before adding it to your home. Even though it might not seem likely, greasy fingerprints, spilled wine and coffee, and just general aging can all leave lampshades stained. It can be intimidating to try to clean your lampshades because you don't want to damage or discolor the fabric, so some may simply try to find a new shade. However, this comes with the disadvantage of losing the original charm (especially when it comes to more ornate Victorian-style shades), and it can be difficult to find a good match. Instead, some swear by spot-cleaning their lampshades with hydrogen peroxide. This is an affordable, easy stain remover that's gentle and can be safely used at home. While this cleaning hack isn't necessarily backed up by experts, some claim that it works.

Hydrogen peroxide is a oxidizing bleaching agent, but it's not as harsh as chlorine bleach. It's a major component of sodium percarbonate, also known as color-safe bleach. Hydrogen peroxide is typically well-suited to remove a number of stains such as those caused by oil, blood, wine, and coffee. You can also find it at most any grocery store or pharmacy, and hydrogen peroxide has lots of uses around the home, so you'll definitely get your money's worth from a single bottle. 

Commercially-available hydrogen peroxide comes in a diluted mix with water, typically around 3%. This means that the hydrogen peroxide is at a pretty low concentration, which is why it shouldn't harm the fabric. However, before trying this trick, you may want to test the hydrogen peroxide in an inconspicuous area of the lampshade to ensure it doesn't cause any damage. If you have a higher concentration, don't forget to dilute it with water so it's not as strong. Ensure you wear gloves to avoid skin irritation and a mask to keep you from breathing it in.

To begin removing the stains, wet but don't soak a cotton swab or ball with hydrogen peroxide and dab it gently against the stained area, then move it in circles until the stained spot and its perimeter are saturated but not soaked. Next, using a dry cotton swab, remove any excess liquid. Let the stain dry fully — do not mistake the darkened fabric for discoloration. Once fully dry, assess the stained area. You may have to repeat this process a few times, especially if the stain is old and deep-set. 

Though hydrogen peroxide is an excellent stain remover, it won't work on every lampshade. If your shade becomes discolored from your test spot or the stains just won't budge, take it to a dry cleaner to determine the best course of action. If there's no saving it from stains, check out our list of handy ways to repurpose old lampshades around the house.