How to Properly Clean Your Plantation Shutters

Blinds, shades, and window shutters can be a good investment in your home’s warmth, ambiance, and overall design. Plantation shutters are classic and bring a quality of timelessness into any home. Available in vinyl, wood, and faux wood, these shutters provide clean lines, versatility, and a soft glow of natural light in any room.

Plantation shutters originate in the southern states in the U.S. and have been around for generations.

If you are looking for a traditional window shutter, look no further than plantation shutters. If you are considering outfitting your home with these stylish shutters, you will also need to learn how to care for and clean them properly so they continue to function well and look great. Below is our guide to cleaning your plantation shutters so that you can enjoy this classy, timeless look for years to come.

Step 1: Dusting

The first step to thoroughly cleaning your plantation shutters is to ensure there is no dust, dirt, or debris on them. You can dust them off with a feather duster and then go in with a soft brush vacuum attachment to make sure nothing is leftover. Both of these tools used together will keep your shutters dust-free while also being gentle on the materials.

Step 2: Wiping

After vacuuming and dusting your shutters off, you can use a soft, dry cloth to wipe off as much of any remaining dirt as possible. If your shutters are real wood, it may be best to stop cleaning at this step, as you don’t want to introduce any chemicals or water to genuine wooden shutters.

Step 3: Cleaning

For the next step, you will want to use a damp cloth (wet with water) to wipe down your shutters thoroughly and deal with any grime that may have gotten stuck on them. Avoid using harsh chemicals and cleaners on your shutters, and be very cautious not to use too much water to clean your wooden shutters.

Using too much water or abrasive products on real wooden shutters can damage them, causing them to bend and warp prematurely. If you care about your window’s longevity, be mindful of the products you use to clean them regularly.

Step 4: Drying

The last step to cleaning your plantation shutters is to dry them off completely. Leaving them watery or damp can cause spots of water damage to appear. It’s wise to wash your shutters on a clear, sunny day so you can open them afterward and air them out properly.

If not, you can always point a fan in their direction so that the breeze dries up any remaining water as quickly as possible. Now you can sit back, relax, and bask in the sunlight streaming through your newly cleaned shutters!

Now that we’ve nailed down the general steps to cleaning your plantation shutters thoroughly and safely, there are a few other points to consider depending on what finish you have chosen for your plantation shutters. Read on to discover the best cleaning method for your type of shutters, whether they’re vinyl, wood, or faux.

Cleaning Vinyl Plantation Shutters

Vinyl plantation shutters will be the most durable and easy to clean. They are also less susceptible to staining, rotting, warping, moisture, and sun damage. You may choose the vinyl option for areas of the home that are humid and hot, such as kitchens or bathrooms.

If you are cleaning vinyl shutters, they shouldn’t need much maintenance. You can use white vinegar to clean the surfaces after dusting if you like; however, a good dusting and quick wipe down should be sufficient.

Cleaning Wood Plantation Shutters

Genuine wood plantation shutters require the most care while cleaning because they are more fragile than shutters made of other materials and can become easily scratched, discoloured, or warped with improper or abrasive cleaning methods. A thorough dusting with a feather duster and vacuum should be enough, although some recommend wiping with a dryer sheet after dusting for an extra clean. If you choose to wipe these shutters with water, make sure only to use a small amount and thoroughly dry afterwards.

Cleaning Faux Wood Plantation Shutters

When cleaning faux wood plantation shutters, you will still want to be gentle on them to avoid any damage. They may hold up better to cleaners than genuine wood, but they are still not as robust as vinyl shutters. Dust them off thoroughly with your vacuum and feather duster, wipe them down with a little water and then dry- voila!

Caring for your window treatments, whether they are blinds, shades, or shutters, shouldn’t be painful. With proper care, your window treatments should be durable and easy to maintain. Keep in mind that the more often you clean your window shutters, the less dirt and grime will accumulate in the long run.

For more information on properly cleaning your plantation shutters, call Window Blinds Direct at 647-360-7026 or contact us here.