The Top 4 Tips for Cleaning and Maintaining Your Plantation Shutters
Plantation shutters offer more than privacy to spaces; they provide other benefits that make them practical and appealing features in any home.
Australian plantation shutters come in versatile designs and colours that complement various interior styles. They also add a touch of elegance and appeal to any room.
With these window and door coverings, you can easily control the amount of natural light and airflow entering a room. Because of this, you can improve your home’s energy efficiency and reduce utility costs.
Additionally, plantation shutters are durable and low-maintenance, making them cost-effective investments for your home. Unlike curtains or blinds, they don't accumulate dust quickly and are easy to clean.
The versatility, stylishness, energy efficiency, durability and low maintenance features of plantation shutters make them a smart choice if you want to elevate the appearance and liveability of your living room, dining area, kitchen and other spaces.
Maintaining the Functionality and Appeal of Your Plantation Shutters
Cleaning and maintaining your plantation shutters is crucial for preserving their appeal, functionality and longevity.
Regular upkeep prevents dirt and dust buildup on your coverings, ensuring you have a clean and healthy home. Also, it protects your shutters against wear and tear, allowing you to extend their lifespan.
Moreover, maintaining your shutters allows you to operate them smoothly and prevent the slats from warping and getting damaged.
But how can you maintain the condition of your plantation shutters? Below are the top tips you should follow:
Dust tends to accumulate quickly on the slats of plantation shutters. Dusting these features on a regular basis ensures you keep them looking great and prevent buildups that can cause allergies and other health issues.
There are various ways to dust your shutters. First, you can use a microfibre cloth to wipe the slats.
When doing this, always start from the top since dust will likely fall onto the lower slats.
You can also use a feather duster to remove dust from your plantation shutters. Simply run it carefully between each slat from top to bottom to clean your window or door covering.
Lastly, use the upholstery attachment of your vacuum cleaner to remove dust and dirt from your shutters. If you don’t have one, use an old toothbrush.
Aim to dust your plantation shutters weekly to prevent buildups that are harder to remove.
If you’re dealing with stubborn stains, dirt, grime and dust buildup, you may need to use a damp cloth and liquid cleaning products to remove them.
However, avoid using this cleaning technique frequently since water, even from a wet sponge or cloth, can damage these features.
Timber shutters are susceptible to fading, chipping and warping. As such, you should only use water and liquid cleaning products as a last resort to clean them and use them sparingly.
If you have PVC and aluminium shutters, you can use a damp cloth and mild cleaning products to clean the slats.
Regardless of the type of shutters you have, always wipe the slats with a dry cloth after using a damp one to clean them. Also, open your windows to air dry them or use a fan to speed up the drying process and prevent water damage.
Aside from the slats, you need to clean and maintain the other parts of the plantation shutters as well. These include the following:
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Frames
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Hinges
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Rails
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Stiles
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Tilt rod or control bar
Wiping these parts with a clean microfibre cloth regularly ensures you keep them dust- and dirt-free and working properly.
While cleaning, take the time to check the movable parts to see if you can operate or move them smoothly and without any difficulties.
If your shutters have pull handles or knobs, wipe them down regularly as well to prevent grime buildup and check them frequently to see if they are securely attached.
Also, check for any loose or broken connectors between the slats since they maintain the alignment of these parts.
Some plantation shutters have tension screws that control the resistance of the slats. Adjust these as needed to ensure they stay in the right position.
Lastly, use a shutter-safe silicone spray on all moving parts to protect them from water and rust.
Although shutter hinges work well throughout their lifetime, check them at least twice a year to ensure the slats open and close smoothly.
Lubricate your hinges with light oil every six months so they continue to work efficiently. After doing this, wipe them clean with a soft cloth.
While lubricating the hinges, make sure all the screws are tightly in place. Use a screwdriver to tighten them if they are a bit loose or to loosen them if they are too tight.
Apply a bit of metal polish to the hinges to give them additional protection and a great finish.
By dedicating a little time to cleaning and maintaining your plantation shutters regularly, you ensure these window furnishings remain stylish and practical assets of your home for many years.
