How to Clean Plantation Shutters

Plantation shutters are easy to clean and do not require heavy maintenance. On a regular basis, remove dirt and dust with a vacuum. If your shutters are extra dirty, wipe them down with white vinegar to keep them clean. Make sure to avoid using too much of any liquid cleaners on plantation shutters, especially wooden shutters. Liquid cleaners can cause damage over time.

Removing Dust

1. Use a duster to remove dust. A simple feather duster can be used to dust any obvious dirt off the shutters. Run the duster in between each blind, hitting the tops and bottoms, to dislodge any built up dust.

Vacuum off lingering dust. To more thoroughly remove dust, use your vacuum. Pop the upholstery attachment onto your vacuum cleaner. Run the attachment over the shutters to remove any stuck on dirt.

• It’s also a good idea to vacuum the floor around your shutters, as some dust may fall on your carpet or floor during the cleaning process.\

Swipe a dryer sheet over your shutters. Dryer sheets actually help prevent dust from sticking to surfaces. After dusting your shutters, take a dryer sheet. Run it over each blind. This should lead to less dust build up in the future, cutting back on cleaning time.

Avoiding Common Mistakes

Refrain from using water. As plantation shutters are usually made of wood, cleaning with water is not recommended. A regular dusting is usually all that is necessary to maintain plantation shutters. Water can cause the wood to warp or become discolored, so never use water as a cleaner on your shutters.

Limit your use of liquid cleaners. In general, stick to simple dusting to clean your shutters. You should only use liquid cleaners, such as vinegar, when shutters become very dirty. The less exposure to liquids plantation shutters have, the better.^[9]

• Even when using a liquid cleaner, make sure you only use a small amount. Socks and rags soaked in liquid cleaners should be just barely damp before you apply them to plantation shutters.

Dust your shutters regularly. Make a habit of dusting your shutters each week. If you remove unwanted dust regularly, this cuts down on the need to use liquid-based cleaners. Plantation shutters should have minimal exposure to any kind of moisture, not just water