Window Shutters are without a doubt one of the most hardwearing window dressing options out there and in comparison to the likes of curtains, also happen to be one of the most low maintenance options too. That being said, interior window shutters aren’t totally maintenance free, especially if you want them to last you for many years to comes. In this article, we’re going to look at how you can keep your plantation shutters looking and functioning perfectly with ease.
When we say regular maintenance, we’re simply referring to running a cloth or duster over the louvers on your shutters once a week. Whether you use a dry cloth and polish or a simple damp cloth to gather dust and dirt is up to you; just ensure you give your window shutters a weekly wipe over. For some, a light disinfectant is preferred however, when using chemical based cleaners, we cannot stress enough the importance of sourcing gentle cleaning products to avoid damaging the materials of the window shutters. You may also want to take a vacuum nozzle to the louvres but once again, do this very carefully so as not to damage the louvres themselves.
Deep cleans will always differ from one material to the next. For real woods we advise using a water based cleaner so as not to negatively affect the wood, causing it to warp. For uPVC, a simple mild detergent in warm water will be ideal. When doing this however, you must use fresh water to rinse the soap suds away before drying with a towel. If however, you’ve found grease to begin building up on your window shutters, if they’re situated within the kitchen perhaps, then a stronger detergent will obviously be needed. Once again however, it’s imperative that you rinse the detergents thoroughly with fresh water after.
Speaking with one of the UK’s leading suppliers of interior window shutters, Diamond Window Shutters, they emphasised the importance of hiring the services of professionals when carrying out more in-depth maintenance such as paintwork and louvre adjustments to ensure no further damage is caused. Plantation shutters are indeed a much heavier duty window dressing however, that doesn’t mean they’re immune to wear and tear. Nor does it mean they’re immune to DIY mistakes.
