Like blinds, window shutters are great to use at home. They are decorative and functional at the same time. The effect it provides varies depending on the material of the shutters. Some prefer natural wood while some prefer the vinyl or painted shutters. In any case, window shutters add beauty to a room which makes it essential to always routinely clean window shutters.
Fortunately, cleaning shutters is not a chore after all. As long as you know what to do, it’s as easy as pie. Nevertheless, you must know the right approach to clean different types of window shutters to avoid damaging them.
Cleaning Wood Shutters
If you have wood shutters at home, you only need a shutter cleaner, a toothbrush, wood polish and a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment. Never clean the wood with water because it will destroy the wood. Start with the shutter cleaner and dust the shutters. If there are hard-to-reach areas, you can use the toothbrush for cleaning. The soft brush attachment of the vacuum cleaner helps remove the dust quickly as well. Once you’re done cleaning, finish it by applying some wood polish on the shutters.
Cleaning Vinyl Shutters
Cleaning vinyl shutters are more stringent because you can’t simply dust it. You’ll need cleaning rags, soft towels, vacuum cleaner with soft brush attachment, mild soap and water. Vacuum your vinyl shutters weekly to prevent build-up of dust. After that, mix the warm water and mild soap to make a mild cleaning solution. Use a cleaning rag to rinse the shutters and wipe it afterwards with a dry towel. Using a toothbrush can help clean those hard-to-reach areas that you cannot reach with the rag.
Extra Tips
Do note that these cleaning tips are very general in nature. Before performing them, check your manufacturer’s cleaning recommendations first. Your shutters may need special cleaning. If you can proceed, these tips are great for both functional and decorative shutters.
If you cannot reach the top part of the shutters, you may need to use a stool or ladder. Exercise caution when standing on the stool and ladder, place them firmly on even ground. Also, to help you exert less effort when trying to reach the top shutters, use a shutter cleaner that can be adjusted or folded. That way, you don’t have to go to the top all the time.
