How to clean a Tiffany Lamp – Cleaning Stained Glass
Find out quickly and simply how to clean a Tiffany Lamp. I bullet point the key steps of how to clean stained glass lamps and for cleaning stained glass windows.

A Tiffany Style Lamp is the focal point of your room and when lit it is natural that you want to show off your lamp to maximum effect.
Leaving build ups of dust on your Tiffany Glass Lamp shade can over time lead to discolouration of the glass. Build-up of dirt and grime will lead to tarnishing of metal lamp bases over time.
Different types of metal require different cleaning solutions, so I cover how to identify which type of metal lamp base that you have and cleaning solutions for metal lamp bases.
Not all types of Tiffany Lamps should be cleaned the same way, so I highlight the best cleaning methods for each. A genuine Tiffany Lamp is often worth several thousands of dollars, so you should thing carefully before removing engrained dirt. It may pay to seek the help of an expert who has experience in handling these delicate lamps.
Cleaning stained glass lamp shade – Cleaning Highlights:
Leaving build ups of dust on your Tiffany Glass Lamp shade can over time lead to discolouration of the glass. Build-up of dirt and grime will lead to tarnishing of metal lamp bases over time.
Different types of metal require different cleaning solutions, so I cover how to identify which type of metal lamp base that you have and cleaning solutions for metal lamp bases.
Not all types of Tiffany Lamps should be cleaned the same way, so I highlight the best cleaning methods for each. A genuine Tiffany Lamp is often worth several thousands of dollars, so you should thing carefully before removing engrained dirt. It may pay to seek the help of an expert who has experience in handling these delicate lamps.
Cleaning stained glass lamp shade – Cleaning Highlights:
- Unplug and allow your Tiffany Style Lamp to cool
- Rub colored glass softly with lemon oil furniture cleaner using lint free cloth
- Rub clear glass softly with ammonia free glass cleaner using lint free cloth
- Clean porcelain Tiffany Style Lamps with lint free cloth and rub dry
- Dust your lamp regular with a feather duster to reduce build-up of dirt.
Cleaning Tiffany Lampshades with colored glass
- Unplug your Tiffany Lamp and allow to cool.
- Tiffany Lampshades that contain colored or opaque glass, cabochons (cut and polished gemstones) should be cleaned with lemon oil furniture cleaner and a lint free cloth.
- Apply a small amount of the lemon oil furniture to a lint free cloth.
- Polish the lamp shade with a clean lint free cloth
- Clean regularly with a feather duster to deter the build-up of dirt.
Cleaning Tiffany Lampshades with clear glass
- Unplug your Tiffany Lamp and allow to cool.
- Tiffany Style Lampshades that contain clear glass panels should be cleaned with a glass cleaner that is ammonia, vinegar or acid free.
- Apply a small amount of the glass cleaner to a lint free cloth and gently rub the glass panels.
- Polish the lamp shade with a clean lint free cloth
- Clean regularly with a feather duster to deter the build-up of dirt.
Cleaning Porcelain Tiffany Style Lamps
- Unplug your Tiffany Lamp and allow to cool.
- Use a damp lint free cloth to wipe clean your Porcelain Tiffany Lamp
- With a clean lint free cloth rub and polish the lamp dry
- Clean regularly with a feather duster to deter the build-up of dirt.
Cleaning grease from a Tiffany Style Lamp
Tiffany Lamps or Tiffany Style Lamps fitted in a kitchen may attract grease from cooking. If this happens to your lamp you will need to use a degreaser.- Unplug your Tiffany Lamp and allow to cool.
- Wear rubber gloves
- Only apply a small amount of degreaser to a lint free cloth.
- Rub the lamp sparingly at a time
- Wipe clean the glass with a dry lint free cloth
How to clean Tiffany lamp base – How to clean a metal lamp
Authentic Tiffany Lamps are almost always made from brass, whereas reproduction or Tiffany Style lamps feature plastic, wood, brass or zinc bases. Any metal lamp base will become tainted over time with exposure to air, so it is important to clean these lamp bases regularly to maintain them to the highest standards. Cleaning antique brass lamps at least once every six months will avoid the long term build-up of muck and dust avoiding long term problems. How to clean a metal lamp – Quick steps:- Prepare a damp soft cloth with warm soapy water
- Rub down the metal base of the lamp with the cloth
- For an extremely dirty lamp rub down carefully with extra fine steel wool, grade 0000
- Use a medium firm toothbrush to get into harder spots.
- For extremely tarnished bases, use the appropriate, for each, metal polishing cleaner