The way to Tea Stain Lamp Shades
Tea staining gives cloth and paper a gently aged patina without spending a fortune or taking much time. It also changes the expression of a lampshade without introducing harsh chemicals to your property. This method doesn’t work on every kind of fabric or newspaper, so begin with a lampshade made of cotton, linen, or newspaper that’s sturdy enough to handle a little bit of fluid.
Attract 4 or so cups of water to a boil. You’re going to decrease this fluid, therefore begin with more than you believe you need. If you want to begin with more than 4 cups, add another tea bag for each additional cup of water.
Put 4 tea bags to the boiling water and give them a stir. Black tea works best for an antique golden appearance.
Allow the tea steep for 10 to 15 minutes. Remove the tea bags and discard them.
Pull the tea into a very low simmer and let it cook for 20 to thirty minutes. Let it cool for a minimum of 30 minutes.
Place a drop cloth over your work surface to catch drips and spills.
Set your lampshade on a bottle or vase to keep it upright without having to break it on the table. This also allows you to turn the lampshade without demanding it.
Dip your sponge brush to the low tea and blot off the excess on the edge of the grass. Paint the lampshade in even vertical strips.
Even out the places where the brush strokes overlap using a clean, dry shop cloth or old white T-shirt if necessary. A clean, dry staining sponge also works for this.
Allow the tea stain dry completely before deciding in the event that you will need a second coat, since it dissolves darker than as it goes on.