How To Clean Antique Floor Lamp

Wipe the lamp parts with a soft cloth dipped in mineral spirits to remove oil and remaining rust.

How to clean antique floor lamp.

This can be done by examining the lighting fixture for casting or foundry marks which are believed to have been used by the installer to identify the parts and avoid duplication. When identifying an antique lamp consumers may need to determine the history age and period of the lamp to assess its historical relevance. Neutralize the vinegar with an alkaline cleaner by combining two tablespoons of baking soda a gallon of water and one ounce of dishwashing detergent. Apply the alkaline solution liberally with a sponge and rinse.

Clean any rusted metal with vinegar and baking soda. Watch more housekeeping tips videos. Wipe the cleaned parts with a soft nonabrasive cloth such as an old t shirt suggests chris jones of historic houseparts. Do not clean this lamp until you have had it appraised.

If the rust persists add a small amount of baking soda to the rag and use this to scrub. Just dust the lamp and clean it with nothing more than a dry cloth. Continue until the entire lamp has been cleaned. Alternative ways to clean your antique lamp include lemon juice with cream of tartar toothpaste metal polish or car wax.

Wrap all parts of the lamp in old newspaper and place them in a warm dry place for 72 hours to remove all dampness that can lead to rust. A simple cleaning with mild soap and water will remove the dirt and fingerprints without removing tarnish or patinas that have formed over time. Step 6 remove the newspaper and wipe gently with a rag sprayed slightly with lubricating oil. If the lamp is a valuable antique cleaning it could take 80 90 percent off of its value.

Saturate a cleaning rag with vinegar and wipe down the metal. Start with a soft cloth then a damp cloth and then use a mild cleaner you would use to wash dishes with like ivory liquid some tips for cleaning metal on antique lighting fixtures. Step 4 remove the lamp shade when a duster is not enough to keep the shade looking its best.