The beautiful design is one of the many benefits of plantation shutters.
But if you want to keep your window coverings looking like new, you’ll need to do a little maintenance on them. Your interior shutters stay protected from weather elements, but they’re exposed to dirt and other debris inside your home.
Regular cleaning keeps your plantation shutters looking nice. It also prevents staining and potential damage that you can’t easily fix.
Follow these tips for cleaning plantation shutters to keep your window treatments looking great.
Dust Them Regularly
One of the easiest ways to keep your plantation shutters clean is to prevent dust from building up. Over time, the dust gets caked onto the slats and is more difficult to remove.
Grab a cleaning glove, microfiber cloth, duster, or other soft cloth to wipe down the shutters once a week or whenever you notice dust on them. Choose something that’s easy to fit between the slats.
Start at the top and work your way down, cleaning each slat. Don’t forget the top, hinges, and other parts of the shutters. Go over the shutters a final time to remove any remaining dust.
You can also use a vacuum cleaner with an attachment on the hose. You may need to go back over the blinds with a cloth to get the areas the vacuum misses.
Choose a Safe Cleaner
Even with regular dusting, you’ll want to deep clean the shutters once a month or so. This helps remove additional dirt and grime that doesn’t come off easily with dusting.
The cleaner you use depends largely on the material used on the shutters.
If they’re wood, avoid lots of water or harsh cleaners. The water soaks into the pores of the wood and can cause swelling and other damage. A wood cleaner is one option.
You can also use a damp cloth. Squeeze out the extra water, so it’s just damp enough to wash the shutters.
Wash Them
Use the wood cleaner or damp cloth to wipe down each slat on the plantation shutters. Wipe until all build-up is gone.
Rotating the slats and cleaning again helps you wipe down all of the surfaces completely.
For stubborn areas, you can use a soft-bristled toothbrush to scrub at the spots. Moisten the bristles slightly with the wood cleaner or water to help loosen the gunk.
Wipe the Shutters
It’s a good idea to go over the shutters a final time with a clean, damp cloth. This removes any remaining dirt or cleaner you used.
Once everything is removed, use a dry towel or cloth to go over the shutters. This removes any excess moisture that’s still on the slats. Pay attention to the crevices, hinges, and joints when drying off the shutters.
Maintain Your Plantation Shutters
Plantation shutters offer good privacy, sun protection, and beauty. Keeping them well maintained with regular cleaning helps them last longer and look their best.
Do your windows need an update? Contact us to get more information on new plantation shutters or other window treatments!
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