How do you clean and maintain a table lamp?

Dust the shade weekly with a dry microfibre cloth and wipe the base down monthly, always switching off and unplugging the lamp first so you are never cleaning a live fitting. Weekly dusting stops the grey film that builds on shades and dims the light output noticeably within a couple of months. Monthly, damp-wipe the base with a cloth wrung out in warm soapy water, then dry it immediately so no moisture runs towards the flex or holder. Whether your lamp is glass, chrome or painted ceramic, the routine is the same — the material only changes what you clean with. This matters for everything from bedside readers to statement pieces among our wider range of table lamps, because dust on a bulb or shade can reduce output and, in extreme cases, scorch fabric shades positioned too close to a hot bulb. Keep a dedicated microfibre cloth with your cleaning kit so the job takes two minutes rather than becoming a half-hour project. Never spray cleaner directly onto any part of the lamp; apply it to the cloth instead so liquid cannot pool in the holder or seep into the switch, where it can cause corrosion or a short circuit over time.

Clean fabric shades with the soft brush attachment on a vacuum set to low suction, working from top to bottom in gentle strokes, or use a lint roller for linen and cotton drums. Glass and metal shades take a damp microfibre cloth with a drop of washing-up liquid, followed by a dry cloth to prevent water marks. Paper and pleated shades are the most delicate — dry dusting only, as moisture will warp the pleats and leave tide marks. Remove the shade from the lamp before deep cleaning so you can reach the inner surface, where most dust actually collects, and never immerse any shade in water. For fabric shades with stubborn marks, a slightly damp sponge rubbed lightly over the spot usually lifts it without soaking the material. Let everything dry completely before reassembly, because a damp shade close to a warm bulb can develop mildew or a permanent ring. If a shade has yellowed badly or the lining has degraded, replacement is usually cheaper and safer than restoration, and spare shades are widely available in standard fitting sizes across the UK.

Check the plug, flex and socket annually for scorch marks, fraying, cracked insulation or a plug that wobbles in the socket, and replace any worn part before switching the lamp back on. Unplug the lamp and run your fingers along the full length of the flex feeling for flat spots or breaks under the insulation, then inspect the plug for discoloured pins, which signal overheating. A lamp that flickers, buzzes, or only works when the flex sits at a certain angle has a wiring fault that cleaning will not fix — usually a loose connection at the switch or holder. Rewiring a lamp with a new flex, switch and holder is a straightforward, inexpensive job, and replacement parts are stocked by most UK electrical retailers. Before any repair, follow the electrical safety first guidance on working safely with domestic appliances, and if you are ever unsure, use a qualified electrician rather than guessing. A wobbly plug socket is worth fixing too, since a poor connection generates heat. These five-minute annual checks are the single most effective thing you can do to keep an older lamp safe in daily use.

Wipe the bulb with a dry cloth when the lamp is cool, because even a thin film of dust can cut light output and make a bulb run hotter. Replace LEDs that have started dimming or flickering promptly — a failing driver chip can behave unpredictably — and check the bulb's maximum wattage marking on the holder socket before fitting anything brighter. Modern LED bulbs run cool compared with old incandescents, which means less heat stress on the shade, the flex insulation and the holder itself, so upgrading an older lamp to LED extends its life as well as cutting running costs. The energy saving trust advice on lighting recommends LEDs for virtually every domestic fitting, and a typical lamp bulb now costs a few pounds a year to run rather than a few pounds a month. When buying replacements, match the cap type (usually E27 or E14 screw caps in UK lamps) and the colour temperature you like — 2700K to 3000K gives a warm white similar to traditional bulbs. Finally, avoid touching LED bulbs with bare fingers when fitting them; skin oils can create hot spots on the lens, so handle by the base or use a clean cloth.