How To Clean Plantation Shutters: An Easy Guide

One of the best things about plantation shutters is how they uplift and enhance your room’s décor as a design feature in their own right. It’s therefore more important to keep them clean and looking their best, rather than gathering dust and dirt.

Cleaning and maintaining your shutters will also ensure that they continue to function properly, and stand the test of time.

Whatever the material and finish of your shutters, there are some simple steps you can follow to keep the louvres and frames looking pristine, while avoiding any damage.

Here, we’ll walk you through our recommended process for how to clean plantation shutters in order to keep them looking as good as new!

Vacuum Up Any Loose Debris with a Brush Attachment

The first step is to remove any surface level dust, dirt or debris. If you try to wipe down the slats before brushing or vacuuming, the dust and grime will stick and your shutters will likely look even worse!

The quickest and easiest way to do this is by using a vacuum with a brush attachment. Run the brush over the louvres and frames to remove the majority of the dirt. If necessary, you may also want to use a dusting cloth or glove to dust along each individual slat.

Look for those areas where dust is most likely to collect, such as the corners of the shutters and the ends of the louvres, where the slats meet the frame.

Source: Google Images

Wipe Down the Shutters with a Dry Cloth

Once you’ve removed the surface dust or grime, use a soft, dry cloth – such as a microfibre cloth – to work your way along every slat.

Source: Google Images

It’s important to avoid too much water or harsh chemicals, especially if your shutters are made from timber, so using a dry cloth and possibly a gentle furniture polish is the best approach.

You may want to use a natural polish, or make your own using vinegar, olive oil and lemon juice. If you are using a polish or liquid cleaner, be extremely sparing in the amount you use. Your cloth should be only very lightly damp.

Take your time doing a thorough job at this stage. One of our top tips for how to clean plantation shutters is to tilt the louvres so that you can get to them from every angle, including the exterior facing sides. If you’re not sure what this means, find out more about how plantation shutters work.

Don’t forget to also wipe down the frames!

Spot Clean Any Stubborn Areas with a Damp Cloth

These first two steps may be enough to restore your shutters to their former glory, but what if you’ve got a more stubborn problem on your hands? For example, how to clean mould from plantation shutters? If there are still some spots of dirt, grease or grime that are harder to shift, now is the time to focus on just those areas with a damp cloth.

The most important thing to remember about how to clean plantation shutters is to use minimal water, and to allow your shutters to fully dry as quickly as possible. This is particularly crucial for wooden shutters as the louvres and frames will start to bend or warp if left wet.

Once you’re finished, open your windows to help your shutters to air dry, or you can use a fan to speed up the process and avoid any water damage.

FAQs About Cleaning Plantation Shutters

•What is the best way to clean white plantation shutters?

White plantation shutters lend a contemporary chic style to any room, but they also show up the dust and dirt more than darker shutters so may need more frequent cleaning. The best way to clean white plantation shutters is to remove surface level dust with a vacuum and brush, and then wipe using a dry microfibre cloth over each individual slat. Pay particular attention to the corners of the frames, and where the louvres meet the frames. For more detailed advice and tips on how to clean white plantation shutters, follow the above step-by-step guide.

•Are plantation shutters easy to clean?

Yes, plantation shutters are easy to clean and maintain so that they always look their best. Avoid using too much water or chemicals, and simply dust and wipe down with a dry cloth. You can easily tilt the slats so that you can reach them from all angles.

•Can I use vinegar to clean shutters?

You can use vinegar to clean off particularly stubborn spots, grease or grime, but it’s important to be very sparing if you’re using any kind of liquid cleaner. Vinegar is preferable to harsh chemicals, but you should still use it minimally and ensure that your shutters are fully dry once you’re done.

•Do white plantation shutters go yellow?

The best way to keep your white plantation shutters looking pristine is regular cleaning. It’s quick and easy to do if you keep on top of it. If you neglect your shutters, they will gather dirt and grime, may become discoloured, and will be much harder to clean in the long run. White plantation shutters in a kitchen are more likely to accumulate grease and grime from food and cooking, so these will need more frequent attention.

•How do you clean uPVC plantation shutters?

uPVC plantation shutters are durable and easy to clean. Use a vacuum with a brush attachment, a duster and a microfibre cloth to thoroughly clean every slat and wipe around the frame. It’s best to avoid too much water or liquid cleaner, but you can use a damp cloth for stubborn marks and dirt. Tilt the louvres as you go, to make sure you don’t miss any spots. For more detailed advice and tips on how to clean plastic plantation shutters, follow the above step-by-step process.

Clean Your Plantation Shutters the Right Way

One of the great advantages of plantation shutters is that they are very easy to clean and maintain. Whether you choose wood or uPVC shutters, regularly following these simple steps for how to clean plantation shutters should be enough to keep them looking and performing at their best. The most important thing to remember is to avoid using too much water, liquid cleaner, or harsh chemicals.

Depending on where your shutters are in the home, and the level of use, they may need cleaning more or less frequently. For example, plantation shutters in the kitchen are much more likely to accumulate stubborn grease or food particles than shutters in a living-room or bedroom.

If you would like to know more about how to clean plantation shutters YouTube has several demo videos that you can watch for guidance, but our team at Doors Plus is always here to help if you want to talk to a real person!

Visit your nearest showroom today for advice, tips and recommendations from a friendly face.