While Art Glass lamps can instantly add charm to your home, to maintain this attractiveness and preserve the quality of your lamp, careful attention must be paid to the care and cleaning of these precious treasures.
In general, several conditions apply to cleaning lamps of all kinds. Possibly the most overlooked, yet obvious, thing to do before cleaning a lamp is to unplug it from its power source, and place the shade on a smooth, flat surface. If placing on furniture, be sure to use a protective cloth or towel underneath. Allow the shade to cool if the lamp has been lighted for any period of time. Abrasive cleaners, and harsh polishes and chemicals, should never be used. If a furniture polish is used, clean the lampshade in a different area to prevent accumulating buildup on its base.
Your lamp shade is coated with oil in the final stages of production to protect the solder. To remove this oil, gently buff the inside and outside of the shade with a clean paper towel. Be sure to turn the towel frequently. Do not use a chemical cleanser as it may damage the appearance of the solder.
The art glass that is used in the shades of many lamps should be cleaned by wiping with a soft cloth and a lemon oil-based furniture polish. Products containing ammonia should never be used due to the effect that ammonia has on the solder used in the lamps. Solder can oxidize, or tarnish, leaving behind a discoloring white film. To remove and also prevent oxidation in the future, a slight coating of lemon oil on the solder does the trick.
For lamps made of beveled or transparent glass, a soft cloth may be used along with a mild solution of soapy water. Mild glass cleaners are also safe to use when gently cleaning this type of lamp. If soapy water is used, rinse the shade of the lamp thoroughly with a clean white cloth dipped in clean water. Porcelain lamps and mica shades also should be cleaned with a mild solution of soapy water.
Lamps that are used to decorate kitchen areas often accumulate layers of grease or dirt, which can reduce the lamp's quality and be difficult to remove. Use a mild all-purpose cleaner with a soft cloth for best results, wiping gently. Reapply lemon oil-based polish to the lampshade to protect it.
Proper care and cleaning of your Royal Palace® Art Glass lamp is important to maintaining the quality of these delicate pieces. By using the correct products and methods, Royal Palace® lamps can be of lasting value and continually grace your home with their beauty.
