Maintaining your plantation shutters may seem like a tall task at times. You invested in these incredible window treatments and they have added new life to your home, but how do you maintain them properly through the years so that they last as long as possible?
Below are a few key cleaning tips for plantations shutters.
1. Do not use harsh chemicals. Even if you haven’t cleaned your plantation shutters in a long time, that doesn’t mean it’s time to break out the harsh cleaning chemicals just yet. In fact, using any type of traditional cleaning chemical could actually cause damage to the finish or the wood, depending on the type of finish that you chose for your shutters.
Use a mild soap and water instead. Also rely on a soft cloth. For stubborn dirt or stains, you may need to work over the affected area more than you might normally have to, which is why it’s a good idea to keep up with the cleaning of these shutters on a weekly or (at the very least) bi-weekly basis.
2. Wash with soapy water first, then rinse with a clean cloth. Once you have gone over the shutters with a soft cloth dipped in soapy water, go back over the shutter with a clean, damp cloth.
Make sure that any grooves that are part of the shutters get thoroughly cleaned. You don’t want any of that soapy water being left behind as that could actually lead to dirt and soap residue getting stuck in those grooves, making them remain as dirty as they were before you set out to clean them.
3. Handle with care. Even though your high quality plantation shutters are built to last, that doesn’t mean they will withstand a high level of use and abuse. Always use some caution when opening the shutters, swinging them away from the window, or opening and closing the slats.
When cleaning the slats, be sure to use care when getting between them so that you don’t damage the tilt rod.
Plantation shutters should last many years, as long as you take care of them and keep them clean on a regular basis.
