Quick Tip -- You Can Save Your Favorite LampLike almost anything else in your home, your lamp can wear down over time. Eventually, its switch may stop working or its bulb might flicker constantly, but a quick fix should make your lamp usable again.First of all, remember to stay safe. Unplug the lamp and remove its bulb. Most lamps top sections that can be unscrewed, which will expose the wires that lead to the lamp's switch. The switch is the only mechanical part of the lamp, so there's a very good chance that the problem's in these wires.Check the wiring leading to the switch and see if there are any frays or loose connections. Make sure that the wires are properly attached. If you can't see an obvious problem, the switch itself may have gone bad.The good news is that most hardware stores carry lamp switches. They tend to be very inexpensive and there's a very good chance that you'll be able to find a switch that matches the broken one. To replace the switch, you'll simply have to unscrew the screw that holds the wiring to the old switch. Put the new switch in place and screw in the wire firmly. Completely reassemble the lamp before you try the switch to see if you've fixed the problem.In a few minutes, you can fix almost any old lamp with nothing more than a screwdriver and a cheap replacement switch. You'll save money and you'll never have to throw away one of your favorite lamps.