Asked on Sep 04, 2018
How do you clean old gunky kerosene out of oil lamps?
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What is the best way to clean old kerosene out of oil lamps?These are very old lamps and I don't want to damage them.
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remove the fittings; they should just unscrew; add fresh kerosene -- pour into the lamp -- about 1/2 a cup, swirl around and use long handled wooden spoon handle with a rag wrapped around it to rub the sides. Repeat... then wash with hot soapy water ( Dawn or a good grease cutting detergent ), dry and replace all fittings.
IF you don't have fresh Kerosene, I'd try plain cooking oil -- oil removes oil ... let it soak for a while -- a few days maybe and you should be able to scrape it off with a rag on a long stick.
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Fill lamp with oil. When you remove the burner from the lamp the reservoir will be open. Refill the reservoir with lamp oil or liquid paraffin to at least half full. Do not use cooking oil, or olive oil. How to Clean Old Oil Out of Oil Lamps | Hunkerhttps://www.hunker.com › ... › Housekeeping › Cleaning Appliances- Cached
Never pour old oil down a sink or toilet. Remove the oil lamp's globe, wick and the cap on the oil reservoir, and set them aside to be cleaned separately. Pour a tablespoon of granular dishwashing detergent into the reservoir. Scrub the inside of the reservoir with a bottle brush to dislodge deposits and oil film. How to Clean Antique Kerosene Lamps | Hunkerhttps://www.hunker.com › Home Hacks & Answers › Housekeeping › House Cleaning- Cached
How to Clean Antique Kerosene Lamps. Take your kerosene lamp apart carefully. Place the brass components, reservoir and globe or chimney on a flat, protected surface. Fill your lamp's fuel reservoir with boiling water and a squirt of detergent. Leave it to sit for about an hour, and then pour it out. Repeat the process ...I just let some warm soapy dish soap/water soak for a while and then used a baby bottle brush to clean the gunk out.
You might try denatured alcohol. Kerosene is an oil based product, and alcohol does a great job displacing oil.
Water and kerosene don't mix! haha. Stuff paper towels inside to absorb as much oil as possible. Using clean rags, keep wiping the area, and removing the kerosene. When you have it mostly gone, if you feel it's safe, use hot water on the insides, with baking soda and a bottlebrush. If the outside is painted, just stick with removing residue with the dry clean rags. If it is a clear glass base, you can soak it in hot water and baking soda and gently scrub it off. Remove the wicking, trim off the crusty, soak the metal parts in hot/boiling water, and scrub with a toothbrush. Worked for me, anyway.