Lampshade cleaning?

[GJR]

A customer texted me late last night asking me if I clean antique lampshades.
Does anyone clean antique lampshades?

I never thought about that before. Never been asked that..

 

[KevinD]

I was doing a couple lampshades once for a contractor's mother that had been in a puff back situation.
Contractor walked by and remarked at how well they were turning out.
About 90 % done I pulled the vacuum hose off the tool I was using for some reason.
Bet you can't guess the rest of the story?

 

[GJR]

I was doing a couple lampshades once for a contractor's mother that had been in a puff back situation.
Contractor walked by and remarked at how well they were turning out.
About 90 % done I pulled the vacuum hose off the tool I was using for some reason.
Bet you can't guess the rest of the storthwe

Did the hose eat the shade?
What were you doing when it was going well? Dry cleaning? HWE? Is there another way?

I've seriously never been asked to clean lampshades even once. I want to come in with an answer and sound knowledgeable when I do.

 

[KevinD]

Did the hose eat the shade?
What were you doing when it was going well? Dry cleaning? HWE? Is there another way?

I've seriously never been asked to clean lampshades even once. I want to come in with an answer and sound knowledgeable when I do.

If I remember correctly as it was years ago dry vacuuming well then probably a OMS solution or kleen-rite dry cleaning solution.

 

[GJR]

If I remember correctly as it was years ago dry vacuuming well then probably a OMS solution or kleen-rite dry cleaning solution.

Yeah dry cleaning seems like the safest way. As long as the vac doesnt get too hungry.

 

[Dwain Ray]

Run forest run! Stay away from lamp shades and foo foo window shades. Unless you wanta buy new ones!

 

[GJR]

Run forest run! Stay away from lamp shades and foo foo window shades. Unless you wanta buy new ones!

I havent touched one yet. I was curious if its even possible.
Do you have a story to share? Ever get burnt on a lampshade?

 

[Dwain Ray]

I havent touched one yet. I was curious if its even possible.
Do you have a story to share? Ever get burnt on a lampshade?

No, i stay away from um i do ultrasonic mini blind cleaning and ruined a few shades before i learned

 

[roro]

No, i stay away from um i do ultrasonic mini blind cleaning and ruined a few shades before i learned

Learned what, and if it's going to be a long answer Dwaino, please hit the return button a few times

 

[Dwain Ray]

When i said shades i was talking about window shades vs window blinds . I do blinds but not shades/fabric window coverings any more

 

[roro]

New terminology for me. They're a significant part of our business, as custies just don't like seeing those squashed bugs on their shades, let alone the mildew etc.

 

[GJR]

No, i stay away from um i do ultrasonic mini blind cleaning and ruined a few shades before i learned

Now I need to know. Are the blinds cleaned on site or do you pick up and take them away?

 

[GJR]

New terminology for me. They're a significant part of our business, as custies just don't like seeing those squashed bugs on their shades, let alone the mildew etc.

Youre talking about lampshades or window shades now?

 

[Dwain Ray]

Now I need to know. Are the blinds cleaned on site or do you pick up and take them away?

I used to do them on site but it got too expensive to maintain, insure, and license the 14' box truck to be mobile. For the past 10 or so years i do them at my shop. I try to have 15-25 of them to do before i setup the machine. I go around in the morning and pull um and bring um back to my shop where there cleaned, hung to dry then i re hang them in the evening

 

[GJR]

I used to do them on site but it got too expensive to maintain, insure, and license the 14' box truck to be mobile. For the past 10 or so years i do them at my shop. I try to have 15-25 of them to do before i setup the machine. I go around in the morning and pull um and bring um back to my shop where there cleaned, hung to dry then i re hang them in the evening

View attachment 134336 View attachment 134337 View attachment 134338 View attachment 134353

This is really interesting. I know nothing about this kind of cleaning so I have no idea whats in those vats. Cool to see though./ thanks

 

[Dwain Ray]

This is really interesting. I know nothing about this kind of cleaning so I have no idea whats in those vats. Cool to see though./ thanks

If you know what an ultrasonic jewelry cleaner is, what i have is an 8' 30 gallon ultrasonic jewelry cleaner. The front tank has the ultrasonic generator transducers the pink stuff is a mild detergent. The back tank is a rinse.

 

[roro]

Youre talking about lampshades or window shades now?

Window shades =blinds:rollers, Romans, Venetians

 

[GJR]

If you know what an ultrasonic jewelry cleaner is, what i have is an 8' 30 gallon ultrasonic jewelry cleaner. The front tank has the ultrasonic generator transducers the pink stuff is a mild detergent. The back tank is a rinse.

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Awesome, thank you again this is actually really cool.

 

[GJR]

Window shades =blinds:rollers, Romans, Venetians

Ive never touched one or even been asked about it. And I'm not exactly new to this. But I am pretty new to being the owner.
Do you promote that part of your business very much to get it requested?

 

[roro]

Ive never touched one or even been asked about it. And I'm not exactly new to this. But I am pretty new to being the owner.
Do you promote that part of your business very much to get it requested?

Yes we put up a website just for that service and altered our radio ads and it rocketed. So one guy engaged full time on cleaning at our depot, and another doing collections, rehangs and repairs etc almost full time. If we hadn't done that a bit prior to Covid years we probably would have died and closed the total biz.

 

[icleancarpetz]

A customer texted me late last night asking me if I clean antique lampshades.
Does anyone clean antique lampshades?

I never thought about that before. Never been asked that..

Easy money
Easy work.
Folk with money like this will not blink an eye if they can trust you with their lamp shade.

 

[frank fratto]

Easy money
Easy work.
Folk with money like this will not blink an eye if they can trust you with their lamp shade.

Wally Weber,

Out in Las Vegas. Taught a lot of us cleaners on the west coast

how to clean lampshades and fine draperies. Lots of money !!!

I wouldn't do it again LOL

 

[icleancarpetz]

Wally Weber,

Out in Las Vegas. Taught a lot of us cleaners on the west coast

how to clean lampshades and fine draperies. Lots of money !!!

I wouldn't do it again LOL

Theres an easier way to drapery cleaning. And if you can clean drapery the easier way, lamp shades are even easier.

Middle class will not pay drapery cleaning prices. Millionaires like Jim Pemberton will.

 

[frank fratto]

Theres an easier way to drapery cleaning. And if you can clean drapery the easier way, lamp shades are even easier.

Middle class will not pay drapery cleaning prices. Millionaires like Jim Pemberton will.

Rafael,
What method what process do you use?

 

[Numero Uno]

Looks like the Stan Morantz system,I had or similar . To answer bout lamp shade's.
As per Drapery cleaning; test for sun rot .Your looking for stiff weak fabric.
Remember most are as thin as can be.If so simply refuse.
If not find a suitable vacuum brush tool with horse hair.
You want to vacuum in 4 directions. Be mindful of too strong a vacuum . Keep her gentle.
Up/right side/left side /finish downwards.
A dry cleaning sponge next downwards only overlapping by one inch.
Finish with a dry microfiber.
If you use a dry solvent then apply uniformly and micro fiber down only.
Use a blower or fan on low,if blower further away from the sheer force of the cfm's.
Their cake to do if sturdy.
But if strong don't hesitate ,try friends if you need practice or grab some at good will.
If using solvent always test for colorfastness if more then a single color.In which case replace the solvent with white vinegar misted on first then dried fast.
Color lock the fugitive dye's.
Also blind cleaning with above unit is awesome,diversify if your able !!!
Also clean the inside as well an or vacuum,allow no contaminates to dull your work.
Also Wally Weber was legend,I attended his seminars and have his manual's here. Signed like the rest...

 

[frank fratto]

Looks like the Stan Morantz system,I had or similar . To answer bout lamp shade's.
As per Drapery cleaning; test for sun rot .Your looking for stiff weak fabric.
Remember most are as thin as can be.If so simply refuse.
If not find a suitable vacuum brush tool with horse hair.
You want to vacuum in 4 directions. Be mindful of too strong a vacuum . Keep her gentle.
Up/right side/left side /finish downwards.
A dry cleaning sponge next downwards only overlapping by one inch.
Finish with a dry microfiber.
If you use a dry solvent then apply uniformly and micro fiber down only.
Use a blower or fan on low,if blower further away from the sheer force of the cfm's.
Their cake to do if sturdy.
But if strong don't hesitate ,try friends if you need practice or grab some at good will.
If using solvent always test for colorfastness if more then a single color.In which case replace the solvent with white vinegar misted on first then dried fast.
Color lock the fugitive dye's.
Also blind cleaning with above unit is awesome,diversify if your able !!!
Also clean the inside as well an or vacuum,allow no contaminates to dull your work.
Also Wally Weber was legend,I attended his seminars and have his manual's here. Signed like the rest...

I know it depends on where you live?

What's the going price per panel ? These days?