To clean shutters, first, you have to remove dust with a microfiber cloth or duster. Be sure to remove built-up debris, grime, and dirt between the slats. Next, use a cleaning solution and allow it to penetrate the surface for 5-10 minutes. Clean with a damp cloth until all dirt is removed and dry well.
To clean shutters, first, start by removing dust with a microfiber cloth or duster followed by using a cleaning solution and damp cloth. It is best to allow the cleaning solution to penetrate for 5-10 minutes to loosen built-up debris, grime, and dirt. You finish by wiping the solution off with a damp cloth and wiping dry with a clean cloth.
By practicing preventative maintenance on a consistent schedule, your shutters will look great for many years to come. Let’s dive further into what you should know to keep your shutters clean.
Common Types of Shutters
There is a wide variety of exterior and interior shutters for your home. To use the appropriate shutters for each space, you must become familiar with the types of shutters available.
Plantation and Wood Shutters
Shutters are commonly produced with wood as the original material. This traditional material makes shutters extremely durable, flexible and aesthetically inviting. The wood can be stained with various finishes that match your decor.
Plantation shutters are characterized by widely spaced slats, which is a feature that allows more light inside. These are mostly installed for the interior of homes to create a luxurious and tropical ambiance.
According to a study published by ScienceDirect, window shutters help regulate indoor temperature from solar heat. The great advantage of using plantation shutters is that you can easily adjust the to regulate the indoor lighting and temperature.
Painted and Vinyl Shutters
Painted and vinyl shutters are usually seen for exterior shutters. They are a practical and inexpensive way to create more curb appeal. You can easily transform the appearance of your home with a quick installation of painted or vinyl shutters. Choose dynamic color schemes to enhance any style.
Shutters for One-Story Homes
Ranch-style and other one-story homes became popular in the 1950s and 60s. They are extremely charming especially when adorned with beautiful shutters. Each home’s unique features will be accentuated by the style of shutters you choose. The shutters that will look and function best depend highly on your individual preferences and architectural tone.
Shutters for Two-Story Homes
Adding shutters to a two-story home gives it uniformity, structure, and style. Shutters can be customized to fit the various sizes of windows throughout a two-story home. The first floor of the home requires shutters that will provide all windows with privacy while protecting them from weather, intruders, and pests.
On the other hand, second-floor windows require shutters that will help keep the home well-ventilated. Since heat rises, the shutters on second-floor windows need to be both fashionable and functional. They need to allow easy access to ventilation while matching the stylish decor of the home.
How to Easily and Effectively Clean Your Shutters
As you can imagine, cleaning shutters is a simple task. However, there are some things you should consider to keep your shutters in mint condition. The instructions below will give you a general idea of how you can easily and effectively clean your shutters.
1. Gather All Materials Before Getting Started
Before you dive in to clean your shutters, first, you must gather all the materials you will need as seen below:
Clean Socks
An easy way to clean your shutters is by using clean socks. Dip the sock in white vinegar or other gentle cleaning solution wringing out the sock so that it is barely damp.
Vacuum Attachment for Window Treatments
Most vacuums come with an attachment specially designed to clean blinds and shutters. Glide the attachment along the slats not across. When cleaning vertical shutters, you may use the vacuum attachment using a downward motion because slats can become unhooked when using an upward motion.
Dryer Sheets
A very easy way to clean shutters is by using dryer sheets. The chemical on the sheets collects pollen and dust particles very effectively. Simply wipe shutters with the dryer sheets and you will see how easily dust is cleared away.
Toothbrush For Small Details
A toothbrush is a perfect tool to tackle those hard-to-reach corners and small spaces. Some shutters are designed with intricate details that can collect dust if left unattended. A toothbrush gets into those spaces to ensure your shutters continue to look and function their best.
White Vinegar
Vinegar as a cleaning agent is a great choice you can use for almost any home cleaning task. It is a gentle yet exceptionally effective anti-microbial solution. Only dusting with a cloth does not clean the surface of your shutters. You must wipe them down with a damp cloth dipped in vinegar to completely get the dirt off.
To create a vinegar-cleaning solution, you can simply combine it in a 50/50 water mixture. Since vinegar comes in different potencies, be sure to check the label for instructions.
2. Be Sure to Close Shutters Before Cleaning
Before you begin, set the shutters in a closed position. This will protect them and allow you to easily clean them by sections.
3. Begin by Dusting the Shutters
The best way to begin cleaning your shutters is to start by removing the dust when they are dry. You will find it easier to remove the dust from dry shutters instead of it becoming a muddy mess. Once you remove all the dust, you will be ready to use a damp cloth.
4. Flip the Shutters and Repeat the Process
Once you have dusted the first side, you then want to switch the position of the shutters to dust the other side. Remember to first dust all sides before using a damp cloth.
5. Use a Soft Damp Cloth for Heavily Soiled Shutters
After dusting all sides of your shutters very well, it is now time to use a damp cloth to remove built-up dirt, debris, and grime. You can use a damp clean sock or microfiber cloth soaked in a vinegar solution to remove excess dirt. Use a gentle motion as you glide through the slats.
6. Perform Deep-Cleaning When Necessary
Your shutters may have accumulated an excessive amount of dirt, debris, or grime. A deep cleaning may be necessary to entirely remove the dirt. If this is the case, you may want to use a steam cleaner or pressure washer that is gentle enough for the construction of the shutters. Another way to help remove stubborn dirt is to let the cleaning solution stay on the shutters for 5-10 minutes to soften the accumulated particles.
7. Finish by Vacuuming Excess Dust
Once you have wiped your shutters with a cleaning solution, be sure to dry them with a clean cloth. You may notice leftover particles that you can vacuum away if necessary.
How Can I Clean Engineered Wood Shutters and Faux Wood Shutters?
Engineered wood and faux wood shutters are very easy to clean and keep well-maintained. You will want to keep a regular cleaning schedule that includes frequent dusting. You can achieve this with a dry microfiber cloth or duster. To wipe them clean, you can use a soft damp cloth dipped in a mixture of warm water and mild dish soap.
How to Make My Own Beeswax Wood Polish
Making homemade beeswax wood polish is as easy as making candles or soap. You may add essential oils to give your home a special scent. Create your unique blend by experimenting with various oils until you find your favorite combination. Lavender and vanilla are popular scents as well as orange oil.
Start by melting two ounces of natural beeswax over medium heat until it heats to 300 degrees F. Then, slowly add the carrier oil and stir until it is combined well. You may use six ounces of oils such as walnut, olive, coconut, or jojoba oils. After this step, you may remove the mixture from the heat and add the essential oils of your choice.
Once you have combined all the ingredients and they are blended well, pour the mixture into a tin or glass container until it hardens. It will last 1-2 years and even longer if refrigerated.
How to Clean Knotty Alder and Basswood Shutters
Knotty alder and basswood shutters are very light but durable. They can be easy to clean if you know the right technique. Start by dusting the shutters with your vacuum attachment or a dry cloth. Then, you can wipe with a damp cloth dipped in a cleaning solution.
Use a toothbrush to clean dust from hard-to-reach places. It is not recommended to use soapy water because it may damage the material.
How to Clean Vinyl Plantation Shutters
Vinyl shutters come in a vast selection of textures and colors. They are very easy to maintain especially in humid climates. It is best to maintain a preventative cleaning schedule to avoid dirt building up over time.
First, dust your vinyl plantation shutters as you would with other types of shutters. You may then clean them deeply with soapy water or a gentle cleaning solution. Dry your shutters with a soft cloth to prevent water spots from appearing.
How Can I Clean and Maintain Plantation Shutters?
Plantation shutters can be cleaned and maintained in four simple steps:
Step 1: Dust Shutters Regularly
Remove dust with a vacuum or duster by gently swiping through each row. Dust regularly to prevent build-up.
Choose a Safe Cleaning Solution
You must choose a safe cleaning solution that is gentle but effective. White vinegar mixed with water is a great choice for most materials.
Wipe Away Excess Built-Up
Wipe away excess built-up including debris, grime, and dirt. Use a damp cloth dipped in a cleaning solution. You can use a toothbrush to reach hard-to-get places. Finish wiping by using a dry cloth to make sure there’s no moisture left behind.
Use Paint Stains that You Cannot Remove
If you encounter stains that you cannot wipe clean, you may want to consider painting over them. Choose the paint carefully to create a seamless look that will appear natural.
Increase the Frequency of Maintenance if You Have Pets
If you have pets at home, you will certainly need to increase the frequency of your cleaning and maintenance schedule. Pets create a larger amount of dust and contribute to allergens in the air (NIH 2010). To prevent your shutters from accumulating too much dirt in a home with pets, it is important to be vigilant and determine a cleaning schedule that meets your specific needs. The more pets you have, the more you will likely accumulate dust faster.
What Are the Benefits of Installing Shutters Instead of Fabric Window Treatments?
If you are considering which types of interior window treatments to install, you will find shutters to be a superior choice to fabric window treatments. Here’s why:
- More Energy Efficient
- Precise Light Control
- Durability
- Easy and Safe to Operate
- Stylish Design
- Highly Customizable
In addition to all these benefits, shutters require much less maintenance and are easy to clean.
Low Maintenance and Easy to Clean
Compared to fabric window treatments, shutters are very low maintenance and are easy to clean. If you follow the easy steps mentioned above, you will enjoy your shutters in great condition for years and even decades.
Fabric window treatments usually require a special cleaning technique such as dry cleaners or other methods that require you to take them down. It becomes a cumbersome routine that takes too much time and effort compared to easy-to-care-for shutters.
FAQ
What is the easiest way to clean shutters?
You can keep your shutters clean by simply dusting, wiping, and using a safe cleaning solution.
How do you clean dirty shutters?
Shutters that have an excessive amount of accumulated dirt require wiping with a damp cloth. The shutters must be dusted, wiped with a damp cloth, and completely dried.
How do you keep dust off plantation shutters?
To keep dust off your plantation shutters, it is best to dust each slat regularly with a dry cloth or duster. You may also use your vacuum cleaner with the attachment feature specially designed to clean shutters.
How do you clean vinyl plantation shutters?
Vinyl shutters can be cleaned the same way as wood shutters. If they are heavily soiled, you may use warm water combined with mild dish soap.
Clean shutters with vinegar
Vinegar is a great cleaning solution that is both safe and effective. Dilute the vinegar in a 50/50 water solution. It has an anti-microbial effect and is safe for pets and children.
How to clean PVC shutters
Cleaning PVC shutters requires you to follow the same instructions as for other types of shutters. It is safe to use warm soapy water for PVC material.
How to clean shutters before painting
Before painting your shutters, be sure to use a neutral cleaning solution such as a water and vinegar mixture. Before painting them, they are to be free from dust and moisture.
How to clean aluminum shutters
Aluminum shutters can be cleaned by following the same instructions as with other materials. However, you must dry them thoroughly to prevent rust from developing.
