Are Plantation Shutters Easy to Clean?

When picking blinds Melbourne homeowners are faced with countless options. And of late plantation shutters are fast becoming the blinds of choice in Australia. It’s not surprising given their stylish design and impeccable functionality.

Are you thinking of purchasing plantation shutters for your home? While these blinds tick all the boxes where durability, practicality and appeal are concerned, most people wonder if their maintenance is taxing. In other words, are plantation shutters easy to clean?

The short answer is yes. Sure, there are slight variations to the cleaning method depending on what your shutters are made of. However, plantation shutters generally don’t require high maintenance. Are you thinking of buying wooden, aluminium or timber plantation shutters? We’ll discuss how to clean them all today!

How to Clean Timber Plantation Shutters

Timber plantation shutters are by far the most popular type. They are versatile, elegant and add value to your home. Cleaning blinds made of timber is a breeze. There’s no need to use large amounts of water or harsh chemicals for the task. If anything, using the aforementioned can damage your blinds.

Rather keep the cleaning process simple. Regular dusting with a cloth, small brush and vacuum will suffice. Follow these easy steps:

• Vacuum the shutters using the brush attachment to remove dust and debris.
• Use a soft cloth to remove dust trapped between the shutters.
• Wet your cloth slightly in water and gently scrub off any stubborn stains on the timber.
• Dry the damp area with a DRY cloth to eliminate dampness which may result in warping.

Avoid cleaning your wooden shutters with a wet cloth at all costs. Why? Excessive moisture in wooden blinds can cause warping or discolouration. This applies to whether your wooden blinds are sealed or not. Rather follow these steps:

• Spray wood polish onto a dusting cloth and wipe the shutters.
• Turn the louvers to the other side, repeat the same process and you’re done.

How to Clean Aluminium Plantation Shutters

Cleaning shutters made of aluminium is also simple. Again, you don’t need harsh chemicals for the job because they can damage your shutters. Instead, follow these quick and easy steps:

• Mix approximately 5ml of mild dish soap with 1 litre of water.
• Dip a cloth in the solution and wash the shutters.
• For hard to reach cracks or crevices, try dipping an old toothbrush in the solution and gently scrub these areas.
• Wet another cloth with plain water and rinse the soap off your shutters.
• Wipe clean with a dry cloth.

How to Clean Exterior Shutters

Thanks to their versatility, plantation shutters can also be used on your home’s exterior. Exterior shutters are prone to weather and temperature variations. As a result, the cleaning process is more thorough when compared to maintaining internal shutters. It’s advisable to use some form of cleaning formula if the shutters happen to have stubborn stains or mildew. The cleaning method is as follows:

• Clean your shutters using a soft-bristled brush to remove fallen debris.
• Rinse your shutters with a high-pressure washer.
• Fill a bucket with warm water and add your detergent.
• Dip a brush or cloth into the solution and wash your shutters from top to bottom.
• Rinse the soap off the shutters using the high-pressure washer.
• Wipe the shutters with a clean, dry cloth.

It’s apparent that cleaning your plantation shutters is a simple and straightforward exercise—for the most part. We advise you to clean them weekly or monthly depending on your preferred cleaning routine. Before using any chemical solution on your shutters, we recommend doing a patch test on a small section to rule out discolouration or damage.

Maintaining your plantation shutters will be effortless if you purchase high quality blinds to begin with. That means picking your shutters from a reputable company that doesn’t compromise on quality.

At Alfresco blinds Co, we offer a wide range of plantation shutters made of superior materials. Simply pick a style to match your home and lifestyle. We can customise the installation to suit your preferences and we supply across Melbourne. So, what are you waiting for? Get your shutters today and add some timeless elegance to your home. Alfresco Blinds Co is Melbourne's leading supplier of indoor & outdoor blinds. You’ll find us at 1300 735 077.