Plantation shutters are stylish and practical, but they also require regular cleaning and maintenance to keep them in good condition. By following these five simple care and maintenance tips, you can easily maintain your plantation shutters to ensure they last for years.
1. Look for Damage
As with any other furniture or flooring, you should regularly inspect your shutters for damage and repair or refinish. This will ensure that your plantation shutters look great while remaining functional. Look for loose screws, splinters, moving parts, or other damage that can sometimes cause problems in the future. Contact a professional supplier like Doors Plus to replace your shutters if they are entirely damaged.
2. Regular Dusting
Dusting your shutters regularly is a simple way to keep your blinds in good shape and looking sleek. A nice fine-tipped feather duster will help you get into those hard-to-reach corners, where dust and dirt can collect over time. You’ll also want to give them a gentle wipe down with a damp rag every so often to remove any dust that may have settled there. When wiping your plantation shutters, don’t forget to wipe around the window frame; this will help prevent dust from settling on your windowsills.
3. Use a Damp Cloth to Maintain Brightness
Take some time to wipe down your shutters with a damp cloth every two weeks. The damp cloth helps you remove smudges, fingerprints, and stubborn spots on your shutters. After cleaning them, wipe down all of your shutter panels with a soft, dry cloth. If you notice any streaks or residue left behind, then it’s best to let them air-dry.
Ensure no excess moisture is left behind after wiping down your shutters to prevent water damage, especially if your shutters are made of wood. If possible, wring out any excess water from your cloth before wiping down your shutters. You can also consider hiring a professional home cleaner for more effective and careful cleaning.
4. Rotate Blinds or Shutters Regularly
Make sure to rotate your blinds more often to keep them in perfect working condition. The more regularly you turn your blinds, the less stress on each motor of your rotation system and the longer it will last. This also prevents a single part of a shutter from being consistently exposed to moisture or harsh sunlight over a prolonged time. Remember to avoid using excessive force when rotating your louvers because doing so could damage gears or loosen screw threads that secure slats together.
5. Use the Appropriate Cleaning Products
Suitable greener cleaning products are easy to find in most stores, but it’s essential to choose something that won’t damage your shutters. Before using any cleaning products on your plantation shutters, read their labels carefully.
All wood shutters—even paint-grade wood—are susceptible to water damage. Avoid using caustic or abrasive cleaning products on your plantation shutters if you prefer to use a cleaning solution. In addition, avoid using a scouring pad, steel wool, bleach, ammonia, or chlorine-based cleaners on them as well. Instead, opt for gentle soap and water mixtures or warm water with mild detergent; always rinse thoroughly afterward.
Endnote
Plantation shutters are the perfect way to add value to your home and improve its aesthetic appeal. If you’re considering adding plantation shutters to your home, it’s essential to understand that they require some special care and maintenance to last as long as possible. Invest some time and little effort to keep your plantation shutters looking and working their best.
