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What is the best way to clean Tiffany lamps?
A Tiffany lamp is a beautiful accent to any room. Displaying and highlighting its light is a common desire among owners. The oft-domed glass lampshade and traditional color patterns make a Tiffany lampshade unique and coveted by many.
Sadly, dust on the exterior of your glass lampshade covers the glass, which can lead to discoloration. Furthermore, a buildup of dirt and dust can cause the metal lamp base to tarnish over time. Maintaining the appearance of your lamp helps it keep its value.
As owners know, an authentic Tiffany style lamp can cost thousands of dollars, so keeping it free from dust and soot is essential, but also you must understand proper cleaning methods.
To clean the lamp, first, turn the lamp off and unplug it from the wall. It is imperative that the lamp is completely cool before you touch it with your bare hand. Next, gently rub the colored glass with lemon oil furniture cleaner using a lint-free cloth. If you have access to an ammonia-free glass cleaner, using it on the Tiffany lamp is also effective.
If you have a porcelain lamp rather than a glass lamp, regularly use a feather duster or soft cloth to deter grime buildup.
How do you clean stained glass lamp shades?
Stained glass or colored glass lampshades are a hallmark of a Tiffany-style lamp. First, unplug the lamp and allow it to cool.
Those who own a Tiffany lampshade containing colored gemstones should use lemon oil furniture cleaner and a lint-free cloth.
Lemon oil cleaners reduce discoloration and oxidization of the copper foiled leadwork between the gems in your lamp. By applying a small amount of lemon oil points on a lint-free cloth, you can softly rub the dirt and dust off of your lamp, maintaining the beauty of the light.
How to clean a clear glass lampshade?
While similar to cleaning a colored lampshade, a clear Tiffany lampshade has a few distinct differences. Make sure that the lamp is unplugged and cool to the touch.
Then, use an ammonia-based or vinegar cleaner applied to a lint-free cloth. Use these glass cleaners sparingly. To keep your lamp looking cleaner, longer, use a feather duster to brush the dust off of the lampshade gently.
If you clean your transparent glass lampshade frequently, you should get excellent outcomes from cleaning with a damp, lint-free cloth, avoiding the need to use a glass cleaner.
Routine Tiffany Lamp Care Tips
The best tip for routine care is to dust your Tiffany lamp with a feather duster often. Tiffany lamp owners can purchase feather dusters in most general stores or online.
Placement of the lamp in your home might require variances in regular cleaning. For instance, if your table lamp is near or in your kitchen, the buildup of grease could cause grim to develop on your lampshade. If you need to clean your lampshade of grease, wear rubber gloves, use a cloth and some degreaser to clean the lampshade.
Additionally, gently rubbing your lamp with a damp lint-free cloth is a great choice to ensure that your lamp stays as clean as possible without the need to overclean or use harsh chemicals on the delicate glass or porcelain.
Another great idea unrelated to cleaning is the light bulb in your lamp as different color light output can enhance the beauty of the stained glass shade.
How do you know if your Tiffany lamp is made of glass or plastic?
There are a few ways to determine if your Tiffany lamp is made of glass or plastic. First, gently tap the lampshade with a fork; if there is a distinct tone, it’s glass.
Furthermore, a lampshade is a natural glass if the design’s color is vibrant, especially when lit. Specifically, golden glass pieces should have a translucent, amber finish to be authentic. Finally, you can tell if your lamp is plastic by weight.
The weight of plastic is also relatively lighter than a glass shade.
If your lamp is made of plastic, it might not be a genuine Tiffany lamp. Regardless of its authenticity, you can still enjoy having a Tiffany-style lamp for its uniqueness and color in your home.
Will the sun fade the colors of your stained glass lamp?
Stained glass is very resistant to ultraviolet light because the color is baked at high temperatures, meaning that for the most part, a genuine glass Tiffany lamp shade won’t fade over time.
Indeed, stained glass is created using a high-heat baking method, so no part of a stained glass mural should fade or need restoration from sunlight for at least 75 years.
Notably, some stained glass pieces are created differently than others. The high-temperature method is just one option for creating stained glass. Other methods include glazing, painting, or laminating. None of those other ways of making a stained glass appearance last as long as the first option.
