Glass/Brass star lampshades - how to clean them?

[Shoppingveggie]

We have 4 star shaped glass and brass (type thing) lampshades in our hall and landing that are desperate for a clean, both inside and out - I really want to put them in hot soapy water and leave them to dry in the airing cupboard - do you think this is the best way? I am not going to tell you how long these have been up ;-)

Thank you for taking the time to read this!!

Do they come down? I clean my glass lamp shades by taking them down and washing them in hot soapy water and a scrubbing brush every now and then.

If they do come down I see no harm in doing that unless they are very old and delicate. Then just rub the brass with a bit of brasso or similar.

Yes oreocrumbs they do come down - their not old or delicate. I'm concerned about the brass but great idea about the brasso - thank you!

They're not their!!!

If these were made in the last 25 years, i would advise against Brasso on the brass! Modern brass coloured fittings have a sort of coating on them to keep them shiny; polishes can remove that. If the coating hasn't already been removed by enthusiastic cleaning a very slightly damp duster should do it. (With the usual warning that water and electricity do not mix.)

Yes Fluffiflox - they are under 25 - do you still think a dunk in soapy water would be ok to clean the inside?

So glad got read this. We have two. They are shamefully filthy.

I was thinking of washing them in the bath on a big towel in the bottom to stop them from breaking. I'm not sure if mine can actually come off completely.

I shall go and investigate now!!

Bet I have more bugs in mine Chimchar

Shopping The glass could be washed in a bowl, probably warm rather than hot. It's a bit difficult to say about the fittings without seeing them. Try the damp cloth first. On most fittings the glass can be removed. If they are glass panels secured with hinge or tab type things, be careful when bending these back because they can snap if you go mad.
Are you 100% sure that they're glass?

I'd use a damp soapy cloth or a chamois.

They're a bugger to clean cos of getting in all the corners.

fluffiphlox - you have a point, I tapped what I thought was glass and I'm not even sure now that they are!

I think I am going to go down the damp cloth route first but Countess I know what you mean about all the little pointy corners!

Suppose I had better think of getting them down .....

shoppingveggie it's just that your description of them as star shaped and having been up some time suggested that they might be capiz shell. I might be wrong, could you google and see? Warm soapy water is fine for capiz, I think, but with the same proviso around coated brass.

I've just done mine - got fed up with the corners doing with a cloth so dunked them in a washing up bowl of Fairy liquid and water and used the washing up sponge.Now drying on the draining board.
Will report back........

Right I've just spent 10 mins drying and buffing with a teatowel - and it looks GREAT!
Just leaving to air dry thoroughly before I replace it.

Can someone come and do mine?

I did some of mine. Brass and glass my ARSE - plastic and plastic!!!