Plantation shutters have become an increasingly popular window treatment option for homeowners. Not only are they elegant and timeless in design, but they also provide excellent energy efficiency and noise insulation. However, as with any window treatment, plantation shutters require regular cleaning and maintenance to keep them looking their best.
How To Clean Plantation Shutters
The basic process for cleaning plantation shutters includes:
- Gathering your supplies
- Dust and vacuum
- Deep clean crud and dirt
- Rinse clean and air dry
In this guide, we will explore the best practices for how to clean plantation shutters, including the tools and techniques needed to achieve a deep, thorough clean. With these tips, you can ensure that your newly cleaned plantation shutters look pristine year-round and continue to enhance the beauty and functionality of your home for years to come.
Plus, our tips work best for all types of plantation shutters, including,
- vinyl shutters
- wood shutters
- faux wood shutters
- interior shutters
- exterior shutters
Keep reading to learn the best way to clean plantation shutters.
*This post contains affiliate links. Full disclosure here.
Equipment You Will Need
Most of these items you likely already have around your home. You will need…
- A Feather Duster
- Clean microfiber cloth or clean dusting rag
- Furniture polish
- Vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment
- White vinegar
- Paper towels
- A soft dry brush
- A mild dish soap or all purpose cleaner
- A secure step stool
Regular Dusting
You’ll need to start any cleaning process with the tools necessary to remove dust. Even if you aren’t going for a deep clean, dusting is essential to maintaining clean plantation shutters.
Use a duster to remove dust
A simple feather duster or dry cloth can be used to wipe away dirt. Remember to work the feather duster, microfiber cloth, or dry paper towel in between the slats of the shutters to clean built up dust.
Vacuum off lingering dust
You can alternatively use a soft brush vacuum attachment to remove all the dust, or just any remaining dust. Guide the soft brush attachment along corners and in between the slats of wooden shutters to remove dirt. If you don’t have any of these tools, a fresh sock out the laundry will work!
Swipe a dryer sheet over your shutters
Plantation shutters are window treatments that complement any home’s interior, creating an elegant space. However, they can quickly accumulate dust and dirt, making them look dull and lifeless. There is a simple solution to keep your wood plantation shutters looking clean and pristine – using a dryer sheet when cleaning your plantation shutters!
First, gather all the necessary materials, including the plantation shutters, a clean and empty spray bottle, and a few dryer sheets.
Next, fill the spray bottle with water and lightly mist the surface of the wood shutters.
Take a dry sheet and rub it along the surfaces of the shutters, starting from the top and working your way down. The sheet will cling to the dust and remove it from the surface of the shutters.
For corners and hard-to-reach areas, wrap the sheet around your hand and carefully work it into the nooks and crannies. Be gentle to avoid damaging the wood plantation shutters.
Once finished, use a clean, dry cloth to wipe down the wood shutters and remove any remaining dryer sheet residue. This method also works great for vinyl shutters.
Deeper Crud And Dirt
For easy cleaning solutions that allow you to avoid harsh chemicals on extra dirty vinyl shutters or faux wood shutters, follow a few simple steps here;
Fill a bowl with white vinegar
White vinegar will not damage your plantation shutter’s finish, unlike some liquid cleaners. Add a 1:1 ratio of white vinegar and water into a small bowl.
Wet a sock or cotton glove
Alternatively, you can use a white microfiber cloth as well. The reason we want to use a white fabric is so we can clean until no more dirt appears on other areas of the cloth, ensuring the wood shutters are clean. Avoid using paper towels as they will leave lint dust behind.
Wipe down the shutters
Take your barely damp cloth and liquid cleaner of white vinegar, and lightly scrub away any stuck-on dirt. You can also use a bit of mild soap (or, if you must, grease-removing all-purpose cleaners) to remove grease from kitchen plantation shutters.
Keep wiping until your cloth runs clean and you know all grease and dirt buildup is gone!
* If you are wiring down the higher slats, be sure to use a small ladder or secure step stool. Safety first!
How to Clean Plantation Shutters -Don’t Make These Common Mistakes
Wood shutters make a beautiful addition to any home, but naturally, we want them to look amazing for years, and last just as long. Keep these important tips close to heart, and try to avoid making these common mistakes that may lead to damage over time.
Refrain from using water
Water can be quite damaging to wooden shutters, and it’s essential to understand why and how to prevent it from happening. Wood shutters are highly susceptible to water damage as they absorb moisture easily.
When exposure to moisture increases over time, the wood begins to swell, warp, and crack, which can be unsightly and costly to repair or replace. In some cases, water damage can also lead to the growth of molds and mildew, which can be a serious health hazard.
That’s why it’s important to take preventive measures like sealing, painting, or staining wood shutters to protect them from water damage. This can help extend the life of your shutters, preserve their appearance, and ensure that they function properly.
Limit the use of liquid cleaners
Wood shutters add charm and character to any home. To maintain their beauty and extend their life, it’s important to treat them with extra care. Liquid cleaners may seem like a convenient option, but they can actually do more harm than good. These cleaners may contain harsh chemicals that can strip away the finish and damage the wood. Over time, this can lead to warping, cracking, or even rotting of the shutters.
Instead of taking the risk with liquid cleaners, opt for a dry method of cleaning such as dusting with a soft cloth or using a vacuum with a brush attachment. With proper care, your wood shutters will continue to enhance your home’s aesthetic appeal for years to come.
Dust your shutters regularly
Don’t forget to dust! Use a vacuum cleaner to clean and prevent dust at least once a month, or as needed. Natural furniture polish is a great alternative to chemical-based products when it comes to maintaining the beauty of your shutters. To effectively use natural furniture polish to prevent dust build-up on your shutters, start by mixing equal parts of olive oil and distilled white vinegar in a spray bottle. Next, lightly mist the mixture over a soft cleaning cloth and wipe the shutters in long, even strokes.
Clean both sides
Don’t forget to use the operable louvers to change angles to completely clean both sides and edges of the slats. So many people leave the shutters in one position and then end up with a dust line. YUK!
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Grainne Foley
Grainne Foley is a wife and mother of 2 great kids. During her 5 years of full time RV travel, Grainne learned to become very efficient at household chores, in order to make time for family adventures. Now, back in a house, she has continued to create tools and techniques to help others lighten the load of household organization and cleaning.
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